The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance on the choice provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)—provisions that give options to parents of children who attend schools needing improvement. While school districts implement required plans to turn such schools around, students attending schools that need improvement must be given the opportunity to transfer to a better-performing public school in the school district.

The guidance provides general information and answers questions about how to implement the choice provisions; who is eligible to take advantage of the new options; how, when and what to tell parents about their choice options; and what types of schools should be involved.

In addition, issues concerning special education, desegregation plans, general funding and transportation funding are covered.

Under NCLB, families of students who attend Title I-supported schools that have not made adequate yearly progress in increasing student academic achievement over a period of at least two years now have options to pursue a quality education for their child. By coupling school improvement activities with public school choice, NCLB ensures the implementation of dual strategies that aim to provide a high-quality education for all students.

To access the guidance, go to: http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/schoolchoiceguid.doc. To access the final regulations governing NCLB and Title I, accountability, teacher quality and parental options, go to: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2002/11/11262002.html.

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