Public School Choice Options

Public School Choice can be categorized in several ways. Sometimes parents may send their children to another school within their district or state. Often, districts offer magnet programs for kids with special interests.

Interdistrict Choice allows parents to send their children to schools outside of the district in which they live. A few states have made this a voluntary law, which means school districts don't have to allow parents to exercise this option.

Intradistrict Choice allows parents to transfer their children to another school within the district. The best known practice of Intradistrict choice is the transfer option parent of low-income children are afforded under the No Child Left Behind Law.

Charter Schools are innovative, public schools designed by educators, parents or civic leaders that are open by choice, accountable for results, and free from most rules and regulations governing conventional public schools. Today, more than 3,600 charter schools serve more than a million children in forty states plus the District of Columbia. Link here for more information on charter schools, including how to find a charter in your area.

Magnet Schools are public schools that offer students a focus in special interests like math, science, and technology. Magnet schools have an application process that may involve testing, obtaining teacher recommendations, and other selective admissions practices. (It is important to note that charter schools are not to be confused with magnet schools. Charters must practice open admission policies and are forbidden to be selective.)

Open Enrollment allows parents to choose from any school in their state. Again, some states have made this a voluntary practice and often parents are not provided this option.

To find out more about public school options and performance in your state, check out CER's Education Reform Scorecard.