There are several theories that emphasize the role of race and class preferences in defining the level of school segregation when choice is given. One theory hypothesizes that school choice programs will increase segregation by making it easier for white and families with advantages to avoid schools with high concentrations of minority or other disadvantaged students. This theory to avoid groups of the opposite race is known as the outgroup avoidance theory or “white flight” in reference to school desegregation. (Saporito 2003). A second theory, which also implies that school choice will increase segregation, suggests that parents of all races seek out educational environments in which their children can be with students of similar backgrounds.
