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School Choice and Segregation: Evidence from the Oakland Unified School District

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  • Jesse Rothstein
  • Ini Umosen
  • Christopher R. Walters

Abstract

We study the prospects for changes in school priorities to reduce income segregation in a context of centralized school assignment, accounting for behavioral responses to school offers. Promoting integration is a central objective for large urban school districts in the US, and reforms to school assignment priorities are a prominent means of pursuing this goal. Such efforts may be constrained by students' decisions to exit the public school system in response to less-preferred school offers. Using data on kindergarten applicants to the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), we show that offers of spots at first-choice schools boost the likelihood that applicants remain in OUSD. Nevertheless, simulations show that policy reforms giving priority for low-income students at high-income schools can substantially reduce segregation with minimal impacts on retention in the district.

Suggested Citation

  • Jesse Rothstein & Ini Umosen & Christopher R. Walters, 2026. "School Choice and Segregation: Evidence from the Oakland Unified School District," NBER Working Papers 34957, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34957
    Note: ED LS PE
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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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