This study investigates how transportation inequities undermine the effectiveness of school-choice policies in Chicago, particularly for Black and Hispanic students from under-resourced neighborhoods. Using spatial data from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's MyDailyTravel survey and qualitative interviews with four CPS students, the research examines how commute times, distance, and transportation modes impact access to education. Quantitative analysis reveals significant disparities: students of color face longer, more complex commutes, often traveling north to access higher-performing schools. Qualitative data adds depth, showing how unreliable transit, unsafe walking routes, and limited school bus access create daily obstacles. These findings suggest that school-choice, while intended to promote educational equity, fails to deliver for students without reliable transportation. The study advocates for targeted transit investments, universal student CTA passes, and a mobility justice framework to guide policy. Without equitable transportation, the promise of school-choice remains out of reach for many Chicago students.
Mardet Mulugeta (Sun,) studied this question.