District of Choice, a state program that allows a student to transfer to another district if the family believes it would have better opportunities, is set to sunset in 2028, but legislation in Sacramento would extend the program indefinitely.
“Making the program permanent will provide much-needed certainty for the thousands of families across California,” said Sen. Josh Newman, a Fullerton Democrat who sponsored the bill.
“These families have been able to avail themselves of educational opportunities that otherwise would be closed off to them,” Newman said, “and they’re entitled to the assurance that their students will be able to graduate alongside their friends and classmates, regardless of home address or the politics here in Sacramento.”
Established in 1993, the District of Choice program allows students across California to transfer from one public school district to another; the idea is to offer students and families options for educational programs that might not otherwise be available in their home district.
Under the terms of the program, participating districts must determine the number of transfer students it can accept, and they cannot deny students based on athletic or academic ability, proficiency in English or other demographic characteristics. Students do not need to have a specific reason to transfer nor do they need to have permission from their home districts.
“This program is consistent with the broader effort to encourage innovation and improvements within districts and across the public school system in California,” said Newman.
In 2021, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which gives policy and fiscal information to the legislature, determined the program merits “reauthorization, potentially on a permanent basis.” The evaluation also found that students transferring under the District of Choice program gained access to, on average, five to seven courses not offered within their home district.
Across the…
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