Public School Choice: Quick Reference for Parents


No Child Left Behind offers parents new options to prevent their children from being trapped in schools in need of improvement or in dangerous schools. Under the law, parents are equipped with new choices that allow them to transfer their children into schools with track records of success and safety.

What is "public school choice?"

If a school is identified for school improvement, corrective action or restructuring, in accordance with requirements under the law a district must provide all students in the school the option to transfer to another public school or public charter school no later than the first day of the school year following identification. Your school district is required to inform you if your child is eligible to attend another public school. The school district also must identify the public schools, including public charter schools, that you can select for transfer. Public school choice must be provided unless state law prohibits it.

How do I know if my child is eligible?

If your child attends a school identified for school improvement, corrective action or restructuring, your child is eligible to transfer.

Do the public school choice options include only schools in the same district?

Not necessarily. Options may include a neighboring school district. If all schools served by the district are in school improvement, corrective action or restructuring, the district must try to establish a cooperative agreement with other districts to provide students the option to transfer to another public school. In addition, nothing in No Child Left Behind prohibits districts from establishing cooperative agreements, regardless of whether or not all schools in a particular district are in need of improvement.

Will transportation be offered to pupils exercising public school choice options?

Districts must provide transportation, in general, for students exercising public school choice under school improvement, corrective action or restructuring. If the funds are insufficient to provide transportation to each student who requests a transfer, the district must give priority to the lowest-achieving students from low-income families.

What is the "unsafe school choice option" in No Child Left Behind?

States receiving any funds under No Child Left Behind must establish and implement a statewide policy requiring that a student be allowed to attend a safe public elementary or secondary school within the local school district, including a public charter school, if he or she:

Attends a persistently dangerous public elementary or secondary school, as determined by the state, or

Becomes a victim of a violent crime, as determined by state law, while in or on the grounds of the public elementary or secondary school that the student attends.

What if my child's school is listed as being in need of improvement but my district hasn't informed me of my options?

You should contact your local and state school officials. The Department of Education's Web site provides a list of contacts for your state. Visit www.NoChildLeftBehind.gov or call toll-free 1-800-USA-LEARN.


Extra Help with Learning: No Child Left Behind may also provide your child with free tutoring and extra help with schoolwork if the state says your child's school has been "in need of improvement" for at least 2 years. This extra help is often referred to as Supplemental Educational Services. Contact your child's school district to find out if your child qualifies.

Parental Involvement: No Child Left Behind requires schools to develop ways to get parents more involved in their child's education and in improving the school. Contact your child's school to find out how you can get involved.

Measuring Knowledge: No Child Left Behind requires states to test your child in reading and math every year in grades 3-8. Your child will also be tested at least once in high school. The tests will help you, your child, and your child's teachers know how well your child is learning and when he or she needs extra help.

Scientifically Based Research: No Child Left Behind focuses on teaching methods that have been proven by research to work. There will be no more experimenting on children with educational fads.

Reading First: No Child Left Behind provides more than one billion dollars a year to help children learn to read. Reading First is the part of No Child Left Behind that is dedicated to ensuring all children learn to read on grade level by the third grade. Reading First provides money to states and many school districts to support high quality reading programs based on the best scientific research. Contact your child's school district to find out if its reading program is based on research.

Teacher Quality: No Child Left Behind provides funding to help teachers learn to be better teachers.


Terms Every Parent Needs to Know

Title I — This is the part of No Child Left Behind that supports programs in schools and school districts to improve the learning of children from low-income families. The U.S. Department of Education provides Title I funds to states to give to school districts based on the number of children from low-income families in each district.

State Assessments — This refers to the tests developed by your state that your child will take every year in grades 3-8 and at least once in high school. Using these tests, the state will be able to compare schools to each other and know which ones need extra help to improve. Contact your child's school or school district to find out more details about your state's tests.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to explain that your child's school has met state reading and math goals. Your school district's report card will let you know whether or not your child's school has made AYP.

School in Need of Improvement — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to refer to schools receiving Title I funds that have not met state reading and math goals (AYP) for at least two years. If your child's school is labeled a "school in need of improvement," it receives extra help to improve and your child has the option to transfer to another public school, including a public charter school. Also, your child may be eligible to receive free tutoring and extra help with schoolwork. Contact your child's school district to find out if your child qualifies.

Supplemental Educational Services (SES) — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to refer to the tutoring and extra help with schoolwork in subjects such as reading and math that children from low-income families may be eligible to receive. This help is provided free of charge and generally takes place outside the regular school day, such as after school or during the summer.

Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses for a teacher who proves that he or she knows the subjects he or she is teaching, has a college degree, and is state-certified. No Child Left Behind requires that your child be taught by a Highly Qualified Teacher in core academic subjects.