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Pros
- When schools, such as magnets, offer specialized programs that emphasize a consistent theme or method of teaching, they facilitate student and teacher commitment to the school.
- Because magnet schools often attract students from outside the neighborhood surrounding the school, they encourage the voluntary integration of public schools.
- Magnet schools increase the choices available to parents and students in urban school districts.
Cons
- Low-income, English-as-a-second language and special education students are underrepresented in magnets.
- The selective admissions criteria of magnets create firewalls for students with failing grades or records of bad behavior or truancy who want to attend these schools.
- Many magnet schools may be drawing scarce energy and resources away from improving neighborhood schools.
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Magnet or Specialized Schools
