1. Interdistrict Public School Choice Program
Interdistrict Public School Choice First Discussion State Board Presentation
October 5, 2016

2. Scope: Establishes that:
Goal ProgrPurpose and Scope
Purpose: Provide students and parents options and flexibility in selecting a school that best meets the needs of each student
Scope: Establishes that:
Districts apply to participate in the program
Choice districts accept non-resident students at the expense of the State
State covers the cost of both the per-pupil state aid amount for the student plus choice aid equal to the choice district local levy for the student
The district of residence loses only the state aid when a student from its district participates in the program
allows districts in sending/receiving relationships to participate in the choice program unless otherwise legally prohibited

3. Interdistrict Public School Choice Program Act
Program History
Interdistrict Public School Choice Program Act
FY Annual Appropriations Acts
Due to exponential growth, Choice enrollment is limited
Passed in 2010
Permanent program
No limit on number of Choice districts
Passed in 2000
Five-year pilot
Maximum of 21 choice districts
Enacted statutorily on a statewide basis (from a pilot program) by Governor Christie in 2010
Key part of the Governor’s education “Choice” agenda, intended to give parents options
Wildly popular with parents, and with districts
Resource issue
How do we target the program in a meaningful way?

4. Choice Districts Operating in 2016-17
Overview of Choice Districts
Choice Districts Operating in
129 Operating Choice districts
5,235 Choice students (approx .4% of the public school students in the state)
Located in 19 counties (all but Essex and Middlesex)
$53.7 million Choice program cost
State total student pop: 1,368,929.5

5. Program Growth 2011-2017 – Enrollment
Choice Program Size and Growth
Program Growth – Enrollment
43% of choice districts have a specialized program offered to choice students.
(67 districts)
(105 districts)

6. Program Growth 2011-2017 - Dollars
Choice Program Size and Growth
Program Growth Dollars
The Choice program was projected to grow by 50%+ annually until enrollment limits were imposed on FY2015 enrollments.
AVG COST PP: $10,255
*FY2015 and FY2016 are net adjustments of $4.6 million (457 seats) and $1.9 (194 seats) million, respectively, as a result of adjustments due to overprojections in each of the prior years. (FY2017 cost of $53.7 m is net adjustment of $1.1 m.)

7. Interdistrict Public School Choice Program
Code Readoption
Readopt rules without amendments to avoid a regulatory lapse.