Open Enrollment Opportunity

Today, district school boundaries determine where kids go to school and in return, their educational outcomes. This process in Nebraska separates families and kids from educational options that may better suit their needs in the public-school setting. Unfortunately, in Nebraska, students and families may be turned away from another district if they decide their neighborhood school isn’t the best fit for their educational needs. 

As of October 2023, only eight states in the country afford complete public student availability for every family. And according to the Yes Every Kid Foundation, 84% of the American public supports open enrollment and giving every child in the United States the ability to attend the public school in their state that best meets their needs. 

School district boundaries, no matter how well-intentioned, keep some kids from a school that is better suited to their needs, even one just on the other side of the town line. Public schools should be free and open to everyone in the state like other public services. 

States like Florida and Arizona have shown that when implemented thoughtfully, open enrollment programs support families in accessing public schools while balancing school and district priorities. Strong open enrollment policies take school capacity into account while allowing parents to choose the schools that best meet their needs 

When states allow students to attend the public schools of their choosing through open enrollment programs, schools should still receive their normal per-pupil funding. Ideally, states will design open enrollment programs in which either: 1) state and local funding follow each open enrollment student to their out-of-boundary public school or 2) state funding follows each student to their out-of-boundary public school and supplements any loss of local funding. 

By removing district boundaries, students are empowered to access schools that fit their learning styles, academic interests, and socioemotional needs. Fortunately, LB557, sponsored by Senator Armendariz, promotes these open enrollment benefits and ultimately, more opportunities for Nebraska families.