CONTROLLED-CHOICE DESEGREGATION PLANS - NOT ENOUGH CHOICE, TOO MUCH CONTROL

Supporters of controlled choice argue that it is a superior desegregat ion tool and a superior educational reform. This author addresses the first of these claims in a sample of 20 school districts above 30% min ority and finds that controlled-choice plans are almost as unpopular a s mandatory-reassignment plans. In addition, they produce more white f light than magnet-voluntary plans but less than mandatory-reassignment plans. Finally, controlled-choice plans produce less interracial expo sure than do voluntary desegregation plans with magnets. Thus there is no evidence for the superiority of controlled choice as a desegregati on tool for urban school districts.