The plans vary in the details of their regulations from district to district, but generally they allow you to send your child to any school in the district if there is space.

Florida provides a variety of school choice options based on the theory that parents with control over their children's education will inspire schools to improve to attract more students.

Putting together and implementing a plan requires a great deal of time and paperwork, which may explain why so many districts have not put their plans into action. Before you decide to seek a transfer for your child, check to see if your district has implemented its open enrollment plan.

How open enrollment works
Each district has its own plan based on regulations that are common throughout the state. There are basically three options for open enrollment:

1. School choice:
If there is space available, you can choose to send your child to any school in the district. If there are more applicants than spaces, entrance is determined by lottery. You don't need to give a specific reason for requesting the transfer.

2. Curriculum choice:
If a school has a particular program that the school in your designated attendance area does not have, you can apply for a transfer. For example, if your child is interested in the performing arts and a particular school has that specialization, you can apply for a transfer. Some performing arts schools also require an audition. Many districts have magnet schools with a specific focus such as technology or math and science that are designed to attract students with those interests.

3. Choice based on hardship:
You can apply for a transfer to a school outside your zone or county if:

• You are a teacher in a school in that zone
• You work in a company in that zone
• Your child has an after-school or before-school child care provider near the school in that zone
• You are in the process of building a home in that zone and plan to have the home completed within the school year.

In Florida, generally speaking, transfers within a district are more common than transfers to schools outside the district, particularly in the larger counties.

Although they are not required to, some districts include transportation options to ensure that students receive equitable access to the choice options.

When to apply
Deadlines vary from district to district, but generally the open enrollment period is between January and March prior to the beginning of the school year. Check with your local district for specific deadlines.

What are your chances of getting the school you want?
Open enrollment is based on space availability and varies from school to school, from district to district, and from year to year. The district has the ultimate authority on transfers. Appeals to the state Department of Education are not permitted.

Once you are in, what do you do?
Once your child has been accepted at the school of your choice, take the opportunity to become involved as a volunteer at the school and continue to be an advocate for your child's education. Read Ten Easy Ways to Help Your Child's School for ideas on how to get involved and make a difference at your child's school.

Updated October 2006