Jude Schwalbach

2 weeks ago | reason.org | Jude Schwalbach

A version of the following public comment was submitted to the New Hampshire Senate Education Committee on April 8, 2025. New Hampshire House Bill 741-FN would make it easier for students to find a public school that best fits their needs. The legislation would let students attend public schools outside their district or catchment area if space is available for free. Additionally, it ensures that districts cannot discriminate against transfer applicants based on their academic abilities.

2 weeks ago | reason.org | Jude Schwalbach

Since the pandemic, nine states have strengthened their K-12 open enrollment laws so students can attend any public school with open seats, regardless of where they live. During the 2025 legislative sessions, policymakers in 32 states have introduced approximately 80 open enrollment-related proposals, many of which would let K-12 students attend public schools other than their residentially assigned ones.

2 weeks ago | reason.org | Jude Schwalbach

A version of the following public comment was submitted to the Maine Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs on April 1, 2025. Maine House Paper 375, Legislative Document 607 would make it easier for students to find a public school that best fits their needs. The legislation would let students attend public schools outside their district if space is available.

3 weeks ago | nhjournal.com | Andrew Cline |Jude Schwalbach

This article originally appeared at JBartlett.org. In the “Live Free or Die” state, switching public schools is surprisingly difficult. State law gives students only a few options. The one easy way is to enroll in a chartered public school, if one happens to be nearby and a good fit. Every other option is obstructed by a series of hurdles that cannot be cleared without the approval of public school officials.

3 weeks ago | reason.org | Jude Schwalbach

A version of the following written comment was submitted to the Montana Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee on March 25, 2025. Montana House Bill 250 would tweak the definition of school capacity so school districts can limit the number of transfers by either the maximum student contact hours for a teacher or the maximum class size permitted under the accreditation standards of the board of public education.