Georgia’s newest choice program

Georgia families have a new school choice law that allows them to send their child to any public school in their district, provided the campus has room.

The program frees parents from having to attend the school located within their neighborhood’s attendance zones. It also streamlines the transfer process that many parents said made it nearly impossible to switch schools.

State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, (D-Austell) sponsored the law. She said parents will be able to “choose a school that is in the best interest of their child, not necessarily the best interest of their school district.”

State rules over these transfers should be in place in time for this coming school year.

It’ll be interesting to see how many transfers go through. Some of the area’s top high schools – such as Walton in Cobb County – have not had room for transfers in years.

What do you think of this new rule? What other choice programs would you like to see?

NOTE: School choice and other public education issues will be discussed from 4 to 7 p.m. today during a meeting organized by members of Georgia’s legislative black caucus at the state capitol.