Getting the Public School You Want in California

BY KRISTI HEIN
©1997 BY PUBLISHING 20/20

This is a powerful guide and introduction to the laws and policies that give you the right to request the public school of your choice in California. The table of contents follows below. Just click on the section you wish to turn to, if you want to skip ahead. But we urge you to start at the beginning, and read with care.

INTRODUCTION
Brief History of School Choice in California
What are the Benefits of School Choice?
Some Terminology Matters

SCHOOL CHOICE AND THE LAW
How Can I Choose Another School in My District?
How Can I Choose a School Outside of My District?
How Do Transfers Factor into the OER Process?

CHOOSING A SCHOOL
What's Out There
Make Your Choices and Have a Backup Plan

APPLYING
What Factors Will Influence My Application in My District?
What Factors Will Influence My Application in Other Districts?
The Private School Option

ASSIGNMENTS
Yes, We Got the School We Wanted!
We Didn't Get the School We Wanted
These Arguments Work
These Arguments Don't Work
Our Interdistrict Transfer Request Was Denied
The Private School Option