Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the characteristics and practices of magnet middle schools in five southern California counties. This description provides detailed information that will be helpful in the development and implementation of a magnet middle school program in a school district. This study focused on the general areas of community involvement, leadership practices, financing practices, curricular and instructional practices, and parental involvement as seen by principals and other school leaders. Methodology. The research design was descriptive. The population consisted of twenty-four schools that met the following criteria: (1) the school serves middle school-aged students; (2) it is located in one of the five southern California counties; and (3) it offers a specific magnet program. The data were collected via telephone interview, during which principals and school leaders responded to a sixteen-item questionnaire. Findings. (1) Technologically focused magnets are most prevalent; (2) business partnerships are most often used to help involve the community; (3) the most prevalent leadership practices used to make decisions were leadership teams and consensus; (4) the majority of the sample schools (fourteen) received only general funds to support the magnet program; (5) technological elements and higher expectations were noted as curricular and instructional practices most frequently used; (6) parents of magnet school students were moderately involved; (7) high-level thinking was the main identified outcome; (8) community support helped avoid pitfalls. Implications. (1) School leaders should focus the magnet program around the needs of students and the community; (2) parental involvement can assist in the success of the magnet program; (3) selecting outstanding teachers is critical; (4) holding students to high standards and establishing high expectations are important to a magnet program; (5) technologically oriented instruction is needed and higher expectations are a key to higher achievement; (6) marketing a magnet school is necessary.