The process of parental choice in choosing a general elementary program or a district magnet program

The purpose of this study was to explore the process of parental choice when two educational programs were offered at one building site. This qualitative case study sought to determine if patterns exist in the parental choice process. Three main areas of (1) investigation, (2) decision-making and (3) verification were the focus of the study.; Initial data were gathered from parents of kindergarten, first, and second grade students through a survey. Interviews with 15 general program parents and 15 alternative program parents were conducted.; Though not necessarily generalizable to all sites having two educational programs of choice, this study generated emerging themes. The concept of parental choice is indeed complex as stated by Smrekar and Goldring (1999). Parents may choose opposite schools to meet the same need. The fact that parents can make a choice seems to be as important as the choice made. Parents who review options available to them through thorough investigative strategies as well as parents who choose not to investigate tend to be satisfied with their educational choice. The background experiences of parents and others close to them, whether positive or of negative concern is a strong motivating factor in the educational program selected for their child. Some evidence exists that parents seeking programs other than general educational programs seek to consider their parental needs more than the social, emotional and learning style needs of their child.; This study verified that parental choice is important. The researcher recommends additional research to help support and expand the findings of this study.