PARTICIPATION IN OHIO INTERDISTRICT OPEN ENROLLMENT OPTION - EXPLORING THE SUPPLY-SIDE OF CHOICE

In 1993-1994, Ohio implemented an interdistrict open enrollment policy . Under it, students can transfer only to adjacent districts, taking a bout $2,900 with them. Districts can decide to be open or closed but c annot prevent student transfers. In 1994, open-ended surveys were sent to the superintendents of open and closed districts, asking the reaso ns for their decision. Open districts tended to be small, rural, racia lly homogeneous districts that had been losing enrollment. Their major reason for accepting transfers was to increase enrollment. Closed dis tricts tended to be suburban districts with above average per pupil ex penditure. Their major reason for not receiving transfers was insuffic ient space.