The following is an op-ed from Bryce Fiedler, director of CALN.
North Carolina’s public education system is at an inflection point. Enrollment continues to fall in most of the state’s traditional public school districts, and further declines are projected. More than half of voters are dissatisfied with their quality of education. And a recent public showdown between legislators and district officials over alleged noncompliance with a parental rights law highlights growing impatience in the General Assembly with school accountability.
But what if there were a policy choice that not only benefited parents and students, but also the durability of the school system itself? There is, and that policy is open enrollment.
In short, open enrollment lets families choose among traditional public schools, so long as space is available. That choice gives students opportunities beyond their ZIP code or assigned school, while generally remaining within their local district. And unlike most other forms of school choice, it is an option districts may pursue independently.
To read the full piece in the Carolina Journal, click here.