LAUSR

Significance US school children largely attend racially segregated schools. This research examines conditions under which school choice increases or decreases school segregation, even when parents do not care about race. A choice-based conjoint study reveals that Black and White parents place different values on school attributes related to reducing social status inequality—particularly, school performance. Simulations of parents’ school selections uncover that, because of these different values, unmitigated school-choice policies increase segregation—even if parents do not take school racial demographics into consideration. In contrast, if Black and White parents have similar preferences, unmitigated school choice would reduce racial segregation. This research informs public policy regarding both school-choice policies and efforts to alter racial segregation in schools.