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SmartChoices: A Digital Guide to Public School Choice in Hartford

SmartChoices is a digital guide that provides address-specific school eligibility linked to school attendance zones, along with parent-friendly comparative data. This tool helps Hartford-area families make smart choices when it comes to public school selection.

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SmartChoices: A Digital Guide to Public School Choice in Hartford

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  1. Helping Hartford-Area Families Make SmartChoices: A Digital Guide to Public School Choice GIS Day 2009 presentation by Jack Dougherty, Dave Tatem, Jean-Pierre Haeberly, and Jesse Wanzer Trinity College, Hartford CT

  2. What is SmartChoices? http://smartchoices.trincoll.edu/

  3. Address-specific school eligibility Linked to school attendance zones Parent-friendly comparative data What is SmartChoices?

  4. Address-specific school eligibility Linked to school attendance zones Parent-friendly comparative data What is SmartChoices?

  5. Why do we need SmartChoices? Hartford 1999 2009

  6. Why do we need SmartChoices? 1) Sheff desegregation remedy expanded interdistrict magnet schools 5 magnets in 1999 Hartford 1999 2009

  7. Why do we need SmartChoices? 1) Sheff desegregation remedy expanded interdistrict magnet schools 5 magnets in 1999 27 magnets in 2009 Hartford 1999 2009

  8. Why do we need SmartChoices? 2) Hartford shifted from assigned schools to city-wide “all-choice” model 1999 2009 26 elementary school zones, 2008 City-wide choice with 4 zones, 2009

  9. Why do we need SmartChoices? 2) Hartford shifted from assigned schools to city-wide “all-choice” model 1999 2009 26 elementary school zones, 2008 City-wide choice with 4 zones, 2009

  10. Why do we need SmartChoices? Typical Hartford parent needs better tools to navigate all public school choices from different providers 1999 2009 26 elementary school zones, 2008 City-wide choice with 4 zones, 2009

  11. How does SmartChoices use GIS?

  12. How does SmartChoices use GIS? • 1) We compiled and digitized public school attendance zones from Hartford & 18 suburban districts • GIS files • Paper maps • Lists of streets • Grade 1 attendance zones for current coverage area

  13. How does SmartChoices use GIS? 2) Google Maps address locator places point inside school attendance polygon (KML file) Red pin is home address Outline is HPS zone 3

  14. How does SmartChoices use GIS? • 3) Our customized web application connects: • Geocoded address and student grade level • Eligibility rules for both district schools (by attendance zone) and interdistrict schools • Database of over 200 schools and attributes • Excerpt of database and search results

  15. How is SmartChoices Different?

  16. How is SmartChoices Different? Several popular websites show schools by zip-code proximity, but NOT the full set of those you are eligible to apply to

  17. How is SmartChoices Different? A few cities have GIS public school search tools, but these do NOT show side-by-side school data comparisons

  18. Who uses SmartChoices and how?

  19. Who uses SmartChoices and how? Year 1: Developed tool in 4 months Launched in January 2009 Over 1,600 users during the last six weeks of choice application period

  20. Who uses SmartChoices and how? Year 2: Improved and re-launched website in November 2009 Hands-on parent workshops in Hartford to challenge digital divide Conducting research on how website affects parent decision-making

  21. Who uses SmartChoices and how? Year 2: Improved and re-launched website in November 2009 Hands-on parent workshops in Hartford to challenge digital divide Conducting research on how website affects parent decision-making http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/educ/css

  22. Next Steps with SmartChoices • Enlarge Greater Hartford coverage area, disseminate school attendance zone GIS files and metadata via MAGIC • Distribute SmartChoices web application as free and open software to other cities • Expand parent outreach and research

  23. Thanks to our SmartChoices team and the Hartford & suburban parents who have participated in our research

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