Open Enrollment Flexibility

Military families often experience delays in receiving permanent housing upon a PCS to a new location. States have enacted changes to education statutes to give military families with school-aged children improved access to interdistrict and intradistrict transfer programs upon initial PCS and related subsequent changes of residence.

Most states have one or more policies providing for varying degrees of open enrollment, but they can differ greatly across state and even district lines. These policies can be mandatory or voluntary for the school or district; may apply to interdistrict transfers or be limited to intradistrict transfers; and may provide priority to students who are part of designated categories.