A Comparison of Families of Students With and Without Disabilities Who Use Open Enrollment to Transfer Schools

Public school choice is among the strategies identified by national policymakers for improving education by the year 2000 and beyond. Despite the popularity of choice as an educational reform alternative, little is known about how choice operates nationally and what effects it may have in particular areas of the country with particular groups of students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify reasons families chose to change schools and their perceptions of the effects transferring had on school behavior. Responses from families of students with disabilities were compared to responses of a similar group of families of students without disabilities. This work provides a strong foundation for addressing policy concerns related to improving education programs and provides information school personnel and policymakers need as they work to improve the quality of educational services for students with disabilities.