District of Choice Program Extended Five Years
Sacramento, Calif. – The California District of Choice program, advocated for by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), has been extended by five years under AB 185, the education budget trailer bill. Established in 1993, the program allows students to transfer to school districts that proclaim themselves Districts of Choice.
Under the program, participating districts are required to accept interested students regardless of their academic abilities or personal characteristics. Unlike other interdistrict transfer laws, students do not need to seek permission from their home districts to transfer.
“The District of Choice program gives students and families the flexibility to choose the public school setting that is best suited to their educational needs and plans,” said Senator Newman. “The reauthorization of District of Choice is essential for the tens of thousands of students who have come to depend on the program for educational opportunities that otherwise would be closed off to them. I’m very grateful for the extension. Without it, this very valuable program would have lapsed at the end of the year, and families would have had only a few weeks to find new schools for their children.”
In a 2021 report by the Legislative Analyst Office, findings show that among the benefits of District of Choice program is that students have access to educational options not available to them in their districts, such as specialized schools or instructional models. When examining college preparatory courses, arts and music and foreign languages, research indicates that students gained access to an average of five to seven courses not offered by their home districts.
“The District of Choice program is such an important option for California’s public school students and their families, as it opens the doors to educational opportunities that would otherwise be closed to them as a result of where they live. And it does this all within the regular public school system,” said Bob Blattner, Education Consultant, Blattner & Associates. “Senator Newman’s absolute commitment to this principle was the difference maker over the last few months in getting the program reauthorized for the next five years.”
Of the 1,021 school districts in California, 49 districts are participating in the program for the 2022-23 academic year. With 2,745 transfer-in students, Walnut Unified School District was the largest District of Choice district in the state for the 2021-22 school year.
“We are so very grateful for the steadfast dedication of Senator Josh Newman that has resulted in the legislature approving a five-year extension of the District of Choice (DOC) program,” said Robert P. Taylor, Ed.D., Superintendent of Walnut Valley Unified School District. “DOC has been in place in Walnut Valley USD for over 25 years and is undoubtedly a significant part of our storied history. DOC has proven to serve as an impactful option for California’s public school students and families as it continues to provide educational opportunities that would otherwise not be available for them.”
The District of Choice program was set to expire on July 1, 2023. Under AB 185, the program has been extended until July 1, 2028.
To schedule an interview with Senator Newman, contact Lizzie Cootsona at 916.651.4029.
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State Senator Josh Newman represents the 29th Senate District, which is comprised of portions of Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County. The 29th District includes all or parts of the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Chino Hills, City of Industry, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, Rowland Heights, Stanton, Walnut, West Covina and Yorba Linda. Senator Newman is a former United States Army officer, businessperson, and veterans’ advocate, and lives in Fullerton with his wife and daughter.