Want to Send Your Child to Another Public School District? Texas School Choice Says You Can
February 5, 2024 – Even though the possibility of School Vouchers for Texas families seems dim, there are options for Texas Families when it comes to public schools.
Open enrollment in public schools means it’s possible to change your children’s school, without being required to pay tuition in that new district. Remember that in Texas, the state allows each district to decide it’s own open enrollment policies. Open enrollment refers to whether parents can send their children to any public school, regardless of where it is located.
The new district, you wish to send you children to, will certainly ask why you wish to transfer. Common reasons are:
- student is struggling academically at their current school
- victim of bullying
- availability of academic programs such as robotics, FFA, college prep
- parents job offer/change
- wanting to be closer to other family members
- different teaching methods and approaches
- extracurricular activities
- better support for learning disabilities
- unsafe school facilities
Changing school during the school year is possible, but has its own set of considerations. Uprooting a student can also harm their academic progress. There is always the possibility that problems at one school, may follow your children to a new school i.e. change may not be the complete solution.
Experts agree that the first step in any plan to change districts is to contact the new district for information. Another consideration: You may be fully responsible for transportation of your children to the new district.
