As New Hampshire considers implementing open enrollment statewide, a recent commentary takes aim at naysayers suggesting this will hurt students and underserved districts.
“We know it’s a fantasy because 23 states already have robust open enrollment programs, and credible research on these programs points in the opposite direction, finding that competition among schools incentivizes the ‘have nots’ to make changes to be more competitive,” writes Peter Angerhofer, published by Seacoast Online.
“While it is convenient to argue, as (Somersworth Superintendent John) Shea does, that only ‘…rich white kids…’ will benefit from the program, the facts once again do not support the accusation.”
Angerhofer, who has served on the board of the Josiah Bartlett Center and Heronfield Academy, highlights the data from other districts with open enrollment policies – showing the broad socioeconomic range of participating students.
