Katie is a Legislative Director for ExcelinEd in Action. In this role, she works with leaders and policymakers from the western states to promote student-centered solutions focused on educational quality, innovation and opportunity.
From a parent’s perspective, finding the best educational fit for their students can be daunting. From visiting schools and interviewing teachers to reviewing curriculum and programming, doing the research to identify the school that will best help their child learn and grow takes time and energy. The next step – enrolling their student in that school – shouldn’t be another hurdle for Arizona parents. But right now, it is.
Arizona mom Veronica Ragland put it best in a February op-ed in the Arizona Capitol Times:
“Navigating Arizona’s public school open enrollment process for my children has been confusing and frustrating for years. Nine years ago, I applied for a variance with three central Phoenix school districts so that my two daughters could go to school near where I worked. My older daughter received a variance; my younger daughter did not. Although they are in different grades, the reason was clear – my younger daughter requires special education resources, and the three districts were afraid to receive her.
“Each of the school districts boldly published their open enrollment status on their website and even welcomed me to complete variance paperwork. Then, like a punch in the gut, I received approvals for one and denials for the other. I requested support for the three districts’ decision but was simply told that there were no seats and no resources available for my younger child.”
Hear from more Arizona students and families on the importance of public school options.
Arizona lawmakers have an opportunity to improve the open enrollment system before the 2021 legislative session ends. House Bill 2427, championed by Representatives Shawnna Bolick and David Livingston, makes it easier for Arizona parents to enroll their child in any public school of their choice.
House Bill 2427 will remove the unnecessary paperwork eliminate long wait times and empower parents with decision making in the enrollment process.
ExcelinEd in Action urges Arizona lawmakers to pass House Bill 2427—Arizona families are counting on you.
