The following are summaries of recent moves at the state level to broaden parental choice in education. Arizona: The House has passed a bill that would allow students to enroll in any public school in the state. Only those transfers that improve racial balance would be allowed in districts under court order to desegregate. State funding would be provided to the district that the student chooses to attend. The bill has been approved by the Senate’s education committee, and could reach the floor this month.
California: Action is possible in the legislature this year on a bill that would encourages districts with more than 200 students to establish alternative schools or schools of choice. It would require districts to hold formal hearings on the desirability of establishing such schools if petitioned by the parents of at least 30 students.
