For the fourth consecutive year, open enrollment (allowing students to enroll in any public school in the state, regardless of where they live) has died in the Senate after passing through the House. This is a policy that Missouri needs. My colleague, Susan Pendergrass, outlines here what an ideal open enrollment policy would look like.
But why has it been so difficult to pass open enrollment?
Apparently many legislators (particularly those in rural areas) are fearful that students would leave their school districts given the opportunity. It’s true that there are students who would change their schools. Some students will transfer out, and some students will transfer in. A mass exodus, however, is unlikely.
Parents often have sentimental attachments to the place they grew up in—they want their children to be able to experience all the same things they did. Strong attachments can help strengthen the community that supports the district. But these sentiments aren’t shared by everyone. Maybe someone is being bullied or struggling because the class size isn’t right for them. Or maybe families would prefer a five-day school week instead of four. Wouldn’t school districts improve if everyone who was there wanted to be there?
A professional advocate for “Rural School Advocates of Iowa” argued that open enrollment had bolstered rural districts in the state, as many students prefer smaller class sizes and sports programs that give them a better chance to get playing time. Perhaps additional studies on the effect of open enrollment on consolidation rates and enrollment trends could be useful in further addressing this concern.
There have also been reservations about the actual process of districts accepting students. Will districts only accept the best students from other districts? The best version of an open enrollment policy includes mandatory open enrollment. That means districts are not allowed to pick and choose students.
But what about special education students? If districts are required to accept all students, what if a district does not have special education staff on hand—will it be forced to make room?
There are already special education students in Missouri who live in districts without adequate resources to teach them. With open enrollment, I believe parents with special needs students would be more likely to choose a district with an adequate special education program.
As I was researching viewpoints on this issue, I came across an interesting story. A superintendent from a district in Minnesota was lamenting the lengths the district had to go to in order to retain students. The district created a new program that helps students with their post-graduation careers and allows them to earn certificates when they graduate.
Isn’t this what competition is supposed to do? Competition forced this district to create a new program that helps students with their careers after graduation. The desire to attract students to districts breeds innovation. Open enrollment can improve schools and increase options for students and families. Next year, I hope it finds the momentum it needs.
