Open Enrollment: The School Choice Nobody Talks About

[Geee]

Real Clear Education

Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 is National School Choice Week. Much of the national discussion surrounding school choice focuses on private school scholarships or public charter schools. Other school choice options include online academies, magnet programs, or home schooling. But did you know that school choice also includes the option to attend traditional public schools?

 

Today, more U.S. families than ever before have the ability to actively choose traditional public schools for their children — schools outside their assigned neighborhoods. Most states call this option open enrollment or “public school choice.” Over the last several years, at least 20 states enacted 35 separate billsto update open enrollment.

Thanks to these efforts, all but four states have some type of open enrollment option. A total of 33 states and the District of Columbia allow students to attend other traditional public schools within their assigned district, what’s known as intradistrict enrollment. And 43 states allow students to attend public schools outside their district — interdistrict enrollment. (Some states allow both options.) 

28 states make open enrollment mandatory in at least some cases, requiring local districts to offer this option to families. In 34 states, open enrollment is voluntary, meaning districts can decide whether to participate. The National School Choice Week website has more information on the possible options available to you in your state.