Opinion: CA’n school choice would “even the playing field” for high achievers

Zip code-restricted public school systems may lock students into attending their subpar local institutions, particularly those not offering advanced or honors-level classes. IWF Policy Assistant Emma Wilenta analyzes how open enrollment policies could open the door for more equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of one’s family income or neighborhood.

In the United States, where a child attends school is almost always determined by where he or she lives. 

This results in massive geographic inequities. Poorer neighborhoods tend to have lower-performing schools. 

School choice programs make a world of difference in remedying this ill because the student is afforded the opportunity to attend an alternative school, one not based on their zip code. Education freedom empowers parents to choose a school that  is better suited to their children’s needs….

The implementation of open enrollment policies could dramatically increase education freedom because it untethers students to their zip code and empowers them to switch to a school nearby that is a better fit based on educational needs, desired learning philosophies, and specialized programs. 

Residential school assignments often have major consequences on a child’s future outcomes and successes:

For instance, Advanced Placement (AP) courses are a valuable tool for high school students, allowing them to receive college credit while still in high school. As of 2021, however, US News reported that nearly a quarter of high schools—mostly in rural areas—did not offer AP courses. This means that students assigned to rural public high schools could end up paying thousands of dollars more for college.

This article originally appeared in the Independent Women’s Forum. Read the whole thing here.

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