School Districts of Choice

One possible escape route from underperforming schools will be shut off at the end of the month, unless legislation is passed to keep it open. The "district of choice" program has allowed school districts to enroll students from outside areas and is scheduled to expire July 1. Under the program, a school district can declare itself a "district of choice," meaning it's willing to accept a specified number of outside students. I am hopeful that this legislation will be continued, and SB 680 (Gloria, D-Los Angeles and Huff, R-Diamond Bar) would make the districts of choice option permanent.

Proposed changes in the law could open a new era of entrepreneurship in education in which schools would be have incentive to improve their programs in order to retain and attract students. Choice encourages excellence. The best possible education for students should take precedence over attendance boundaries.