At Oaklawn Elementary, a math, science and technology magnet, Principal Dee Saltrick says her school emphasizes the latest trends in computers and technology. There are brand new Apple iMac computers in every classroom. Classes borrow the school's digital camera on field trips to take pictures they can scan directly into computers for presentations. At Olde Providence Elementary, a communication arts magnet, school begins every morning with a news program aired from a studio off the media center. Mikes are going up,'' said media specialist Karen Moore, snapping her fingers to indicate that they're on the air.
Some parents seek magnet seats so their children can stay close to home.
Others see magnets as an escape from their regularly assigned schools. That could change under Smith's plan, because all families would have several options. Smith said continuing the racial requirements for the first three years of the school-choice program would help schools remain diverse once those policies end. We're dropping the hard racial quotas, the hard guidelines that we had in the past, but we certainly will be working aggressively to maintain diversity . Those centers also could be used to help recruit students for magnets.