Interdistrict School Choice: A Theory of Student Assignment

Abstract

Interdistrict school choice programs-where a student can be assigned to a school outside of her district-are widespread in the US, yet the market-design literature has not considered such programs. We introduce a model of interdistrict school choice and present two mechanisms that produce stable or efficient assignments. We consider three categories of policy goals on assignments and identify when the mechanisms can achieve them. By introducing a novel framework of interdistrict school choice, we provide a new avenue of research in market design.

Keywords: interdistrict school choice, student assignment, stability, efficiency

JEL Classification: C78, D47, D71, D78