On January 8, 2002,

President Bush signed 

into law the No Child 

Left Behind Act, a

landmark in education 

reform. This law gives 

you—the parent—options 

if your child’s school 

needs to improve. 

One important option is 

public school choice.

SCHOOL CHOICE FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202

1.888.814.6252

www.ed.gov

© Photos used with permission of JupiterImages Corporation.
Public School Choice Available Under 

No Child Left Behind

Every parent wants the best possible education for

his or her child. Under the No Child Left Behind

Act, parents of children attending schools that are

not meeting state academic standards may be

able to move their children to other public

schools, including public charter schools, that are

meeting these standards. The public school

choice option gives parents the chance to ensure

that their children are attending a school where

they are getting the instruction they need to succeed academically, while at the same time, allowing school officials to make improvements in the

children’s regular schools. 

Who Is Eligible? 

Any child attending a Title I school (generally a

school that serves a high percentage of lowincome students) that the state has listed as “in

need of improvement,” in “corrective action” or in

“restructuring” is eligible to move to another public

school in the same school district. A child does

not have to come from a low-income family to

take part in public school choice. In some cases,

children may also be able to move to a school

outside of their home district. 

How Do I Know If My Child Is Eligible? 

Your school district should tell you, before the start

of each school year if you are eligible to move your

child to another school. If you think your child may

be eligible, but you have not been notified, check

with your school principal, the Title I director in your

school district, a local education organization or

your state education department. 

What Information Will I Receive From My

District About Transfer Options? 

Your district should tell you if you have the choice to

move your child to another school and should provide you with complete and easy-to-read information that: lists the schools in which you can enroll

your child; describes the academic program, activities and services provided at those schools; and

lists their test scores. In addition, your district should

offer you more than one choice of schools, if more

than one choice is possible. 

How Will My Child Get to the New School?

If you decide to send your child to another school,

your school district generally must provide or pay for

your child’s transportation to the school. However,

the total amount your school district is required to

spend for transportation is limited. Your district first

should provide transportation to low-income, lowachieving students if there is not enough money to

serve all students. 

How Long Can My Child Stay at the

Transfer School?

Your school district must let your child stay at the

transfer school until he or she finishes the highest

grade level offered at that school. 

Where Can I Get More Information? 

To learn more about public school choice in your

area, contact:

• Your local school district, your school principal,

other school staff or your district Title I director.

The district phone number is usually listed in the

blue pages of your local telephone directory;

• Your local Parent Information and 

Resource Center, which can be found at

http://www.pirc-info.net/pircs.asp;

• A Voluntary Public School Choice Family

Resource Center at http://www.ed.gov/

programs/choice/rescenters.html; or

• The U.S. Department of Education, 

toll-free at 1-888-814-6252. 

Finally, be sure to attend parent-teacher conferences, parent organization meetings and other

events at your child’s school. You can get a lot of

information, ideas and help from teachers and

other parents. 

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND