Abstract
Despite the well-documented benefits of integration and Southern California’s racial, socioeconomic, and linguistic diversity, California and U.S. efforts to promote integrated magnet schools have been minimal and primarily driven by local districts. Attempts to evaluate magnet programs primarily focus on student outcomes, yet surprisingly few studies examine approaches used by school leaders to establish and achieve program outcomes. This study contributes to the knowledge and practice of magnet implementation by exploring one California high school’s efforts to establish a dual enrollment magnet program. An explanatory mixed methods case study design was used to understand how school leaders promoted student integration and academic excellence, challenged systemic inequities, and committed resources to close opportunity gaps. Data comprised archival records, in-depth interviews with ten administrative, teacher, and parent leaders from the high school, and school documents. Findings indicated that a combination of factors contributed to increased and increasingly diverse enrollment, equity, and academic excellence in a dual enrollment magnet. These factors included visibly committed school leaders, bringing the college campus to the high school, open and free access to college courses, embedded supports (dedicated program staff and introductory courses to build students’ confidence), anti-bias teacher training, and open-door communication. Study results indicated a need for transparent, open, and comprehensible communication and increased collaboration between the college partner and school administrators, teachers, and parents to address and overcome equity barriers.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Magnet schools--California; School integration--High schools--California; High schools--Administrations; Educational leadership--High schools
Date of Award
2023
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Education
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Kfir Mordechay
Recommended Citation
Mumolo, Shannon, "Marketization without marginalization? Approaches to integration in a dual enrollment magnet school" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 1314.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1314
Included in
Disability and Equity in Education Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons, Secondary Education Commons