Senators Unanimously Approve Legislation Reducing Open Enrollment Barriers
Image of the senators voting in favor of open enrollment legislation (Screengrab)
The Tennessee Senate voted 30-0 on Thursday morning to approve legislation that’s designed to make it easier for families to enroll their children in out-of-district schools.
Current state law allows children to enroll in schools outside their district, but supporters of the legislation argue the process isn’t particularly convenient or always fair for families. Under existing regulations, school districts are only required to conduct an open enrollment period of 30 days, and there aren't always clearly defined rules for when a district can deny enrollment to nonresident students.
Senate Bill 0328, sponsored by Senators Adam Lowe, Calhoun, and Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro, would extend the open enrollment application period to 45 days and create an appeal process for students who are denied.
The Senate approved the bill without debate, but Lowe spoke extensively about it on the Tennessee Firefly’s On the Fly podcast. He said the legislation is needed because many families can’t afford to move if the right school for their child isn’t in their zip code.
“What we’re finding is a lot of folks can’t fit in that school zone anymore. They can’t find the right accommodation,” said Lowe. “Public school choice, i.e., open enrollment, really gives families the breadth they need to consider where the best fit for their kid is.”
Benefits for School Districts
If approved by lawmakers in the State House, the legislation will not require school districts to accept nonresident students if they lack available space for them or provide transportation. It would also provide additional funding that’s not part of the current open enrollment process.
Under existing rules, districts sometimes receive less funding from the state for nonresident students because those students don’t qualify for “weighted funding.” Those “weighted” dollars support students with unique learning needs, such as English language learners or students with disabilities, but districts receive that funding only for students who live within their attendance zone.
Lowe says Senate Bill 0328 would change that and ultimately improve open enrollment for school districts that are already allowing it.
“Some local districts have practiced this for ages. In my neck of the woods, most of my school systems have been relatively open-enrollment-based,” said Lowe. “It’s really about taking what your school stands for, being able to share that with a broader base to find out which students want to come to you to fit the culture of what your school is doing academically.
Support from Education Organizations
Education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) was among the legislation’s supporters. Following the passage in the Senate, the organization’s President and CEO, Lana Skelo, issued a statement applauding the chamber for supporting fair access to public school choice.
"Today's vote is an important step forward to truly provide more opportunities and choices to all public school students," said Skelo. "The current open enrollment process lacks the consistency and fairness that families deserve. This legislation will correct that by providing parents with greater flexibility to send their children to schools outside their zoned district and ensure that student success isn't limited by a zip code or bureaucratically drawn line."
A poll released by TSS in February found that more than 82 percent of voters support allowing students to enroll in public schools outside their zoned schools when space is available. Just 10 percent of those surveyed opposed that policy. The Tennessee Firefly is a project of and supported by Tennesseans for Student Success.
The legislation is scheduled for a vote in the House K-12 Subcommittee next week. Representative William Slater, R-Gallatin, is the sponsor of that chamber’s version.
