Executive Summary
In the Open Enrollment Implementation Roadmap, the yes. every kid. foundation. explains how states and school districts can build public school open enrollment systems that give families greater access to schools outside their assigned attendance zone or home district.
The report argues that simply passing an open enrollment law is not enough. For families to have meaningful choices, states must also establish clear rules for available seats, funding, applications, and oversight. Its central message is that open enrollment should be transparent, tuition-free, easy for families to navigate, and applied consistently across districts.
The Five Main Recommendations
1. Allow families to apply across district boundaries
The report supports statewide open enrollment that allows families to apply to public schools both within and outside their home district. Schools would make enrollment decisions based on available space and published rules, rather than a student’s home district restricting transfers.
2. Make sure funding follows the student
The foundation argues that education funding should follow students to the public school they attend and that families should never be charged tuition to transfer. It contends that predictable funding encourages schools to participate in open enrollment.
3. Clearly define available space
The report recommends that schools use objective measures to determine capacity and publicly report available seats before applications open. It also argues that students should not be denied opportunities because they have a disability, require special services, or may cost more to educate.
4. Create a simple and fair application process
The roadmap recommends easy-to-understand applications, consistent deadlines, and transparent lotteries when demand exceeds available seats. It highlights Denver’s centralized SchoolChoice system as an example of a streamlined process that is easier for families to navigate.
5. Protect access for students with disabilities
The report argues that students with disabilities should participate in the same enrollment process as other students and receive the services they need after enrolling. It also recommends that special education funding follow the student to help schools provide those services.
The Role of the State
The foundation argues that states should create consistent open enrollment rules, oversee district compliance, and publicly report enrollment data so families can better understand their options and districts remain accountable.
What This Could Mean for Parents
According to the report, a strong open enrollment system would make it easier for families to see which schools have available space, apply across district lines, understand how enrollment decisions are made, and attend another public school without paying tuition. However, admission would still depend on available capacity, and lotteries could be used when more students apply than there are seats.
Overall Takeaway
The Open Enrollment Implementation Roadmap argues that where a family lives should not be the primary factor in determining which public school a child can attend. The report is written from a pro–open enrollment and pro–parent choice perspective, concluding that clear rules, funding that follows students, transparent enrollment practices, and equal access can give families more meaningful public school options.