School choice in Washington, D.C.
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School choice is a term that refers to programs offering alternatives to assigned local public school options. Public school choice options include open enrollment policies, magnet schools, and charter schools. Other options include school vouchers, scholarship tax credits, and education savings accounts (ESAs).[1][2]
Proponents argue that school choice programs improve educational outcomes by expanding opportunity and access for historically disadvantaged students. In addition, advocates claim that school choice programs empower parents and improve traditional public schools through competition. Critics contend that these programs divert funds from traditional public schools, thereby generating unequal outcomes for students. In addition, some critics argue that school voucher programs wrongly direct tax dollars to religious organizations, which operate many private schools.
Educational choice options
Charter schools
Charter schools are public schools operated independently of the public school system, either by nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Although they are publicly funded, charter schools are exempt from many of the requirements imposed by state and local boards of education regarding hiring and curriculum. As public schools, charter schools cannot charge tuition or impose special entrance requirements; students are typically admitted through a lottery process if demand exceeds the number of spaces available in a school. Generally speaking, charter schools receive a percentage of per-pupil funds from state and local boards of education for operational costs based on enrollment. In most states, they do not receive funds for facilities or start-up costs; therefore, they must rely to some extent on private donations. The federal government also provides revenues through special grants.[3][4][5]
According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a charter school advocacy group, there were an estimated 115 total charter schools in Washington, D.C., in the 2015-2016 school year. These schools enrolled approximately 39,000 students. Overall, charter school students accounted for 49.87 percent of total public school enrollment in Washington, D.C., in 2015.[6]
| Charter schools, 2015-2016 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Total number of charter schools | Estimated enrollment | Percentage of total public school enrollment |
| District of Columbia | 115 | 39,000 | 49.87% |
| Delaware | 27 | 14,400 | 11.01% |
| Maryland | 50 | 19,000 | 2.17% |
| Virginia | 9 | 1,200 | 0.09% |
| United States total | 6,824 | 2,930,600 | 5.85% |
| Note: The percentages in the column labeled "Percentage of total public school enrollment" were calculated by taking the estimated number of charter school students in a given state and dividing by the total estimated number of public school students in that state in 2015. Total public school enrollment estimates came from the National Center for Education Statistics. Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "A Closer Look at the Charter School Movement," February 3, 2016 | |||
Magnet schools
- See also: Magnet school participation statistics
Magnet schools, or theme-based schools, are public schools of choice that utilize specialized subject areas or innovative learning approaches to attract students from more diverse backgrounds. Magnet schools were first formed to desegregate public schools through choice rather than force. Magnet schools can reach beyond the boundaries of school districts, but they are still managed and funded publicly by local districts even though they are centered around specialized themes and subjects.[7][8]
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 3,254 magnet schools in the United States in the 2013-2014 school year, seven of which were in Washington, D.C. The table below presents magnet school prevalence and participation data for Washington, D.C., and surrounding states.[9][10]
| Magnet schools, 2013-2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Number of magnet schools | Total enrollment | Minority enrollment percentage | Student-teacher ratio |
| District of Columbia | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Delaware | 3 | 2,480 | 31% | 18:1 |
| Maryland | 91 | 81,487 | 74% | 15:1 |
| Virginia | 137 | 138,395 | 61% | 16:1 |
| United States total | 3,254 | 2,549,825 | N/A | N/A |
| Note: "N/A" indicates that information was not available, either because the state does not have magnet schools or because the data were not reported. Source: Public School Review, "Find Public Schools," accessed May 24, 2016 | ||||
Open enrollment policies
According to the Education Commission of the States, there are two primary types of open enrollment policies:[11]
- Under intra-district enrollment policies, students may transfer to schools within their home districts.
- Under inter-district enrollment policies, students may transfer to schools outside of their home districts.
Open enrollment policies may be either mandatory or voluntary. Under mandatory programs, districts must allow for open enrollment. Under voluntary programs, districts may choose whether to allow for open enrollment.[11]
Washington, D.C., enforces a voluntary intra-district open enrollment policy.[11]
Private schools
Private schools are operated by private organizations as opposed to government entities. Private schools typically rely on tuition, private grants, and donations for funding. Because private schools are not operated or funded directly by government entities, they may operate under different personnel and curricular standards. Private schools are often associated with religious institutions. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 5,395,740 students enrolled in 33,620 private schools nationwide in fall 2013. This accounted for approximately 10 percent of the total school-age population.[12][13]
In Washington, D.C., there were 19,790 students enrolled in 90 private schools in fall 2013, accounting for roughly 27.87 percent of the state's total school-age population. The table below presents this information for Washington, D.C. and surrounding states.
| Private schools, fall 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Number of private schools | Enrollment | Enrollment as a percentage of total school-age population | |
| District of Columbia | 90 | 19,790 | 27.87% | |
| Delaware | 120 | 23,640 | 16.08% | |
| Maryland | 770 | 143,530 | 14.66% | |
| Virginia | 910 | 131,330 | 9.69% | |
| United States total | 33,620 | 5,395,740 | 10.04% | |
| Note: The column labeled "Enrollment as a percentage of total school-age population" was calculated by taking the total private school enrollment in a given state and dividing by the total school-age population of that state. Figures for total school-age population were obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics. Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 101.40. Estimated total and school-age resident populations, by state: Selected years, 1970 through 2014," accessed May 24, 2016 National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 205.80. Private elementary and secondary schools, enrollment, teachers, and high school graduates, by state: Selected years, 2003 through 2013," accessed May 24, 2016 | ||||
Homeschooling
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were approximately 1.7 million homeschooled students in the United States as of 2012. This accounted for roughly 3.4 percent of the total school-age population.[14][15]
According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, a parent or guardian must do the following in order to homeschool a child in Washington, D.C.:[16]
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent (a parent who does not meet this qualification can petition the superintendent of education for a waiver)
- File an annual notice of the intent to homeschool with the superintendent of education
- Follow the same basic calendar as public schools (hours of instruction can vary)
- Provide instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education
- Maintain a portfolio of instructional materials and the child's work
Online learning
- See also: Blended learning
According to the Evergreen Education Group, 24 states operated state virtual schools in the 2014-2015 school year. State virtual schools are "operational intermediate supplier organizations that provide online learning programs to schools statewide." State virtual schools are created by legislative or state agency action and are "usually funded in part or entirely by a state appropriation or grant." As of the 2014-2015 school year, Washington, D.C., did not have a state virtual school.[17]
According to the Center for Education Reform, Washington, D.C. was home to no virtual charter schools as of May 2016.[18]
Financial assistance
School vouchers
- See also: School vouchers
School vouchers are government-funded scholarships that allow public school students to attend private schools. Vouchers redirect state per-pupil education funding, giving it directly to individual families instead of school districts. Families can then apply those funds to tuition costs at the private school of their choice. As of April 2016, 13 states and the District of Columbia had implemented school voucher programs.[19]
The District of Columbia's Opportunity Scholarship Program launched in 2004. Although the program was allowed to expire in 2009, it was reauthorized in 2011. The program is authorized by the federal government. Funded through 2016, the program awards vouchers worth up to $8,381 for K-8 students and $12,572 for 9-12 students. Those in the program must use the vouchers to attend private schools within Washington, D.C. In order to be eligible for the program, families must be residents of Washington, D.C. and either receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or have a total income of less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level.[20]
Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue (2020)
On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which concerned whether the government can exclude religious institutions from student-aid programs. The case related to Article X, Section 6 of the Montana Constitution, also known as Montana’s Blaine Amendment.[21]
In its 5-4 opinion, the court held that the application of Article X, Section 6 violated the free exercise clause of the U.S. Constitution. The majority held Article X, Section 6 barred religious schools and parents who wished to send their children to those schools from receiving public benefits because of the religious character of the school.[22]
The case addressed the tension between the free exercise and Establishment clauses of the U.S. Constitution—where one guarantees the right of individuals' free exercise of religion and the other guarantees that the state won't establish a religion—and the intersections of state constitutions with state law and with the U.S. Constitution.
Washington, D.C. does not have a Blaine Amendment.
Studies and reports
Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
In January 2016, the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice released a report ranking school choice programs across the nation by participation. The District of Columbia's Opportunity Scholarship Program ranked 37th nationwide, with 1,259 participating students. For the full report, visit this website.[23]
That same month, the Friedman Foundation released the 2016 edition of "The ABCs of School Choice," a comprehensive report detailing and commenting upon every school choice program in the nation. To access the full report, click here.
School choice ballot measures
Ballotpedia has tracked no statewide ballot measures relating to school choice in Washington, D.C..
School choice legislation
The following is a list of recent charter school bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Washington, D.C., city council. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced recently.
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Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Washington, D.C. education choice. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Public education in Washington, D.C.
- Charter schools in the District of Columbia
- List of school districts in Washington, D.C.
- School choice
- Charter schools
- Magnet schools
- School vouchers
External links
- National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
- Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
- Home School Legal Defense Association
Footnotes
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "School Choice and Charters," accessed June 18, 2014
- ↑ Friedman Foundation for School Choice, "What is School Choice?" accessed June 18, 2014
- ↑ National Charter School Resource Center, "Understanding Charter Schools," accessed April 29, 2104
- ↑ Uncommon Schools, "Frequently Asked Questions About Public, Charter Schools," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ The Center for Education Reform, "Just the FAQs--Charter Schools," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "A Closer Look at the Charter School Movement," February 3, 2016
- ↑ Public School Review, "What is a magnet school?" accessed December 9, 2014
- ↑ Magnet Schools of America, "What are magnet schools?" accessed December 9, 2014
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 3. Number of operating public elementary and secondary schools, by school type, charter, magnet, Title I, and Title I schoolwide status, and state or jurisdiction: School year 2013–14," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ Public School Review, "Find Public Schools," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Education Commission of the States, "Open Enrollment 50-State Report," updated November 2015
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 205.80. Private elementary and secondary schools, enrollment, teachers, and high school graduates, by state: Selected years, 2003 through 2013," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 101.40. Estimated total and school-age resident populations, by state: Selected years, 1970 through 2014," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ Coalition for Responsible Home Education, "Homeschooling Numbers," accessed May 25, 2016
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 206.10. Number and percentage of homeschooled students ages 5 through 17 with a grade equivalent of kindergarten through 12th grade, by selected child, parent, and household characteristics: 2003, 2007, and 2012," accessed May 25, 2016
- ↑ Home School Legal Defense Association, "Washington, D.C.," accessed May 25, 2016
- ↑ Evergreen Education Group, "Keeping Pace with K-12 Digital Learning, 2015," accessed May 25, 2016
- ↑ Center for Education Reform, "Find a Charter School," accessed June 7, 2016
- ↑ School Choices, "School Vouchers: Issues and Arguments," accessed May 26, 2016
- ↑ Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, "District of Columbia – Opportunity Scholarship Program," accessed June 7, 2016
- ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue: "Petition for a writ of certiorari," accessed July 3, 2019
- ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, decided June 30, 2020
- ↑ Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, "America's School Choice Programs Ranked by Participation, 2016 Edition," January 27, 2016
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