Abstract

Latin America is the region with the highest levels of inequality, a fact that is reflected in their school systems. In the frame of a systematic application of market policies, the high levels of school segregation in Chile are highlighted. This phenomenon is related to different factors, one of them being the behavior of the families when choosing a school. This study analyzes the families' decision speeches in two cases, formed by three different types of nearby schools -municipal, private subsidized and private non-subsidized- where there are significant differences in the socioeconomic composition of the student body. The cases show, therefore, the existence of school segregation at a "micro-level". The methodology of the study is qualitative. The data was obtained by semi structured interviews of 54 mothers or fathers. The results show that the "free choice" of schools is limited by the economic resources, which restricts the options in the "school market". Likewise, the existence of socio-cultural elements determining the selection process of the families according to their socioeconomic level and other factors was confirmed. It is concluded that the process of school choice is a factor that produces school segregation.