Vancouver's inner-city elementary schools: evaluating policy alternatives for improving student outcomes

This study investigates the effects of open catchment boundaries on Vancouver's inner-city elementary schools. Enrolment levels in these schools have declined over the past ten years despite a stable number of local school-aged children, suggesting that the perception of school quality among parents is low. Foundation Skill Assessment results have also declined in recent years. The challenges facing these schools include high numbers of immigrant and Aboriginal children and high poverty levels. Policy recommendations to improve student outcomes in these schools include changes to the administration of school choice, enhancement of the Inner City Schools Project, and school closure.