Why can Michigan parents take their kids to any school they want, but Indiana parents can't?

By Kirk Mason (mason@wsbt.com)

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(WSBT file photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 6, 2009 at 11:59 AM EST

Story Updated: May 6, 2009 at 11:59 AM EST

Michigan parents have more options than Indiana parents when it comes to choosing where to send their kids to school.

Collin Harbour of Elkhart has a Good Question: How come Michigan parents can take their kids to any school they want, but in Indiana can't?

As WSBT's Kirk Mason explains, in Michigan you can't go to any school; but there are more choices.

Michigan has something called the School Choice Program; Indiana does not. Under the program, school boards in Michigan school districts have the choice of whether to be part of the choice program.

School districts who do take part can set up rules so a student can only transfer from a neighboring school district or something further away. If there is overflow interest in joining a school, that school holds a lottery to fill open spots. The state tax dollars follow the student to his or her new school district.

Indiana does not have school choice or a voucher program. Under federal No Child Left Behind legislation, a parent has the right in Indiana to move a child to another public school if the current school isn't making adequately yearly progress.

Charter schools are also an option — there are now 49 across Indiana, including two locally.

Indiana's Department of Education points out a large number of parents around the state choose to home school.

Under Michigan law schools don't have to provide transportation for students coming from outside the district through school choice. The superintendents for both Lakeshore and St. Joseph say they don't provide transportation, partly because it would be very expensive. Berrien Springs does offer a pickup spot for all students outside the district and they bus from there. It's seen as a way to boost enrollment.

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