Today, April 9, 2024 the Senate Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children heard HB 1989 (Pollitt) – an open enrollment bill. HB 1989 was voted out of the House on January 31.The bill establishes transfer procedures to non-resident districts for students in public schools. MRTA is concerned how this bill will affect students, schools, and local communities. The possible ramifications of this legislation vary from district to district. Please reach out to your local schools and speak to your administrators to find out how it will affect your school and community and write your legislators accordingly. Click here to write legislators.
After researching the impact of open enrollment in other states, MRTA is concerned about the potential impact it could have on students, public schools, and our rural communities should open enrollment be an option in Missouri. This bill allows students to attend public schools outside of their own community.
In several states that have passed open enrollment, it has led to school consolidation. We have 519 school districts in Missouri that serve over 874,000 Missouri children. Many of those children live in rural Missouri and could be negatively impacted by school consolidation.
What is open enrollment?
Open enrollment is a form of public school choice for children who attend Missouri’s public schools. It allows parents to choose public schools outside of their community. Families would have the option to choose any public school for their child, even if the receiving school is not in their zip code. Parents would have the ability to choose which school district their child should attend.
Why are educational supporters concerned about open enrollment?
Supporters of the bill argue that a student's school options should not be limited merely by the zip code the child lives in. Removing this limitation provides opportunities for students and parents to choose alternative public schools that best meet the needs of their families.
Opponents of the bill argue open enrollment legislation will create funding problems for some public school districts. Some districts will be forced into competition for students. Smaller districts may be forced to consolidate or close, which is a detriment to the local community and to the children attending those schools. In states where open enrollment is available, there is very little evidence that shows open enrollment increases performance for students. We have over 519 school districts in Missouri that serve over 874,000 Missouri children. Many of those children live in rural Missouri and could be negatively impacted by school consolidation.
MRTA’s Commitment
Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel (MRTA) is a grassroots association representing over 30,000 retired educators whose vision is to promote and protect public education resulting in a financially secure retirement (pension). The four elements of public education are:
Students Public School Personnel Public Schools Communities Our advocacy efforts continue to make a difference in the lives of people who are working for public education and our retirees who have devoted their lives to Missouri’s school children.
Teaching is one of the few professions that truly shapes the future of every child. As former educators, our members understand how important it is to support our state’s public education system and pension system.
Public schools and teachers play an invaluable role in our local communities. They are responsible for educating our future generations, and for providing guidance and support to help children and young adults reach their full potential. Teachers are often the first to recognize signs of distress or abuse and provide a safe, nurturing environment in which to learn and grow. They also help to build strong relationships between students, families, and the community, encouraging positive values and citizenship. Teachers are integral to the success of our local communities, and we should strive to ensure that they have the resources they need to be effective.
We also urge members of the general assembly to reach out to the principals and superintendents in their area to have a clearer understanding of the potential impact this could have on their students, local schools, and communities.
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