Updated for 2016 School Choice Trends Across the Country Quick Reference Guide for Journalists Covering National School Choice Week
Introduction Parents across America have more choices than ever when it comes to the education of their children. States have dramatically expanded access to a wide variety of K-12 education options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. During National School Choice Week 2016 (January 24 30), millions of Americans will gather at events across the country to raise awareness about school choice. Featuring more than 15,000 events nationwide, National School Choice Week will be the largest series of education events in US history. 2 For many parents, National School Choice Week provides an opportunity to express gratitude for the educational choices they have made for their children. Some families use the Week to search for new schools for their kids. And for others, it provides a chance to speak out in support of expanded school choice options at the state and local levels. So, when it comes to offering school choice to families, how do different states fare? That is what this Quick Reference Guide is all about. This booklet provides basic information on the types of educational opportunities available to parents across the country. This guide is designed to augment your coverage of National School Choice Week events and activities. If you would like to cover an event near you, visit our website at www.schoolchoiceweek.com. Or, simply e-mail our communications manager, Shelby Tankersley, at shelby@schoolchoiceweek.com and she will help you out. Thank you in advance! Sincerely, Andrew R. Campanella President
What is School Choice? School choice means empowering parents to select the best education environments for their children. National School Choice Week celebrates all of the K-12 education options that parents can choose or want to be able to choose for their kids. These options include: Traditional public schools Public charter schools Public magnet schools Private schools Online learning Homeschooling 3 National School Choice Week does not preference one type of choice above another. Instead, we believe that parents themselves are best qualified to make decisions for their children. For more information about what school choice means for parents, check out our new, online guide for parents, at SchoolChoiceWeek.com/Parents.
About National School Choice Week Held every January, the goal of National School Choice Week is to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling. To meet this goal, NSCW encourages schools, organizations, and individuals to hold positive events that celebrate school choice options, while drawing attention to the need for even greater opportunities for children. In 2016, National School Choice Week will feature more than 15,000 independently-planned and independently-funded special events. These events are held by individuals, organizations, schools, and coalitions. 4 National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort. The celebration is nonpartisan and nonpolitical, and National School Choice Week does not advocate for or against legislation.
SPOTLIGHT ON Traditional Public Schools and Open Enrollment Trend: States are making it easier for parents to choose traditional public schools for their kids, regardless of where those schools are located. OR NV MT WY ND SD NE KS OK MN IA MO WI IL MS TN KY WV VA SC VT NH NY RI PA CT NJ NC MD DC Open enrollment policies allow parents to select the best traditional public schools for their children, regardless of where the school is located. In 8 states and the District of Columbia, parents are permitted to select any school for their child, in any school district, without restrictions or limitations on the parent s choice. An additional 38 states offer open enrollment programs that are subject to restrictions or limitations, such as permitting choices only within specific districts or areas. Unrestricted open enrollment in any district, without limitations Open enrollment options available, with some limitations or restrictions Source: Education Commission of the States 5 HI
SPOTLIGHT ON Public Charter Schools 6 Trend: In the last 25 years, all but seven states have passed laws allowing for the creation of public charter schools. Charter schools are public schools that are allowed the freedom to be more innovative, while being held accountable for student achievement. Charter schools are always public schools, and they are not allowed to charge tuition. There are currently 6,700 charter schools in the U.S. serving almost 3 million children. In more than 160 school districts across America, at least 10 percent of students attend public charter schools. As shown on this map, 43 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws allowing for the creation of public charter schools. The number of students in charter schools has quadrupled in the last ten years. Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
SPOTLIGHT ON Magnet Schools Trend: More school districts are embracing school choice options through theme-based magnet schools and magnet programs. Magnet schools are public schools that are operated by school districts or groups of school districts. Magnet schools are free to attend and have a focused theme or aligned curriculum, such as science, math, or the arts. There are more than 3,200 magnet schools across the country serving 2.6 million children. In addition, there are thousands of magnet programs within traditional public schools nationwide. As indicated on this map, there are magnet schools, theme-based schools, or magnet programs in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Source: Magnet Schools of America and National Center for Education Statistics 7
SPOTLIGHT ON Private School Choice 8 Trend: More than 1 million children now benefit from some type of private school scholarship or tuition tax deduction program. NV MT CO AR TN Private school choice programs make it easier for parents to choose nonpublic schools for their children. In 2016, 27 states and the District of Columbia offer some type of private school choice initiatives. Some of these initiatives are scholarship programs, allowing parents to use state-funded opportunity scholarships, education savings accounts, or corporate-funded tuition assistance to send their children to qualifying private schools. Other states offer tax deduction programs, allowing parents to deduct all or a portion of private school tuition from their state income taxes. 19 states and Washington, D.C. offer scholarship programs, 6 states offer both scholarship and deduction programs, and 2 states offer deduction programs. Scholarship programs serve 362,000 children. An additional 872,000 families are assisted by deduction programs. * Availability of scholarships and deductions varies by state. Please check with a local or state-based school choice organization for details. Scholarship programs Deduction programs Scholarship and deduction programs Source: Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
SPOTLIGHT ON Online Learning and Course Choice Trend: Online learning and course choice programs are expanding learning opportunities for children nationwide. Virtual academies instruct students through rigorous online or digital curricula. These schools are free public schools, managed by state authorities, or independent public providers such as school districts and charter schools. HI MT ND MO IL MS AL WV VA NC VT DC ME Students in 41 states and the District of Columbia have the opportunity to attend full-time, statewide, tuition-free virtual academies. Nationwide, more than 320,000 students are enrolled, full-time, in online schools. An additional 2.3 million students take online courses while attending brick-and-mortar schools. In addition, 14 states permit homeschool and private school students to participate in online courses at no cost. This allows parents to customize the educational experiences of their children by combining online learning with homeschooling or private education. This policy is known as dual enrollment or course choice. 9 Tuition-free, full-time online academies managed by state Tuition-free, full-time online academies managed by independent providers State allows for course choice options Source: Evergreen Education Group
SPOTLIGHT ON Homeschooling Trend: Alongside new and expanded school choice programs and policies in many states, home education continues to thrive. Homeschooling is the process of parents educating children in the home. This method of education is becoming more popular, with 100,000 new students graduating from homeschooling programs each year. More than 2.2 million children or 3 percent of the American student population are educated in the home. As shown on this map, all states permit parents to educate their children in the home. 10 Source: Home School Legal Defense Association
11
12 Discover how school choice trends are shaping education in your community. Cover a National School Choice Week event. For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com or email our communications manager, Shelby Tankersley, at shelby@schoolchoiceweek.com