A Series of Survey Findings in Recent Years Document Strong and Broad Support for Integrated Cross-District Magnet Schools Across Racial and Socioeconomic Levels in Monroe County
At least four countywide surveys in recent years have demonstrated strong support for the creation of voluntary socioeconomically and racially integrated magnet schools that draw students from both city and suburban districts. A magnet school is defined as a public school offering special curriculum and programs not available elsewhere, typically designed to attract a diverse student body. Choosing to attend a magnet school would be voluntary and at no additional cost to the parent or guardian. A brief summary of those findings follows:
In 2016, with financial support from the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, Great Schools for All engaged the research firm of Metrix Matrix to survey city and suburban parent support for interdistrict socioeconomically diverse magnet schools. The survey engaged a representative sample of more than 600 parents of school-aged children across city and suburban locations. Here’s the report’s primary conclusion: “The results of this study indicate that, although generally satisfied with their child’s current education, a significant majority of well over 80% of both city and suburban parents, of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, say they would consider sending their children to a magnet school that provides educational opportunities not currently available. Three quarters of all parents would consider having their child cross district lines to do so…. With the vast majority of Monroe County parents valuing diversity in their child’s education as well as providing their child the opportunity for academic opportunities not currently available in their home district, a closer look at the magnet school concept in Monroe County is clearly warranted.” FULL REPORT
In 2021, GS4A partnered with the student-led Roc2 Change group, with students representing most public and private high schools in Monroe County. The students typically come together twice a year to address race relations in our community. In 2021, more than 300 students participated in a Roc2 Change survey on diverse magnets. Here are the key findings (FULL RESULTS):
- 83 percent value a culturally, racially and socioeconomically diverse student body.
- 89 percent value a talented and diverse faculty and staff.
- 90 percent said that attending a diverse school would best prepare them for college or work.
- 84 percent said they were at least open to the idea of enrolling in a diverse magnet school outside their home district if it offered a unique academic program not otherwise available.
More recently, a Siena College Research Institute poll of Monroe County residents, released in early 2022, indicated strong support for the establishment of magnet schools with specialized curricula that would draw students from both urban and suburban districts: 75 percent of all respondents supported the creation of such schools. Support was consistently strong across racial/ethnic groups, including 86% among black respondents, 77% among Hispanics, and 72% among whites, and across both city (79%) and suburban (72%) residents. The Siena College poll was commissioned by the Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Democrat and Chronicle. It was conducted with 707 city and suburban residents, reflecting the demographic makeup of the county population.
Finally, The Children’s Agenda in August 2022 released a scientifically-representative poll of 600 parents of current students across city and suburban schools which indicated similar results: 80% of Rochester parents and 62% of parents in the suburbs expressed support for magnet schools that cross district boundaries. Strong majority support (typically around two-thirds or more) was evident among all racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and political-party subgroups, as well as by age of child. Also, strong across-the-board support was evident when parents were asked how important it is that their child’s school works to integrate students from different racial and economic backgrounds.
The variety of these surveys, and the consistency of the findings over time and various geographic and demographic subgroups, indicates that there is a critical mass of the public and a generation of parents and students with a strong interest in creating voluntary integrated cross-district schools in Monroe County.