As the following examples illustrate, competition has inspired different responses in different districts. Some districts have met the challenge with improved services, others have had to absorb the "opportunity costs" of failing to attract additional students. Some districts have made changes to prepare for the possibility of additional competition in the future, while some are taking a more reactive approach.

The impact of increased competition has been uneven, to be sure, and some districts have responded better than others. Nevertheless, the introduction of incentive-based reform is having an overall positive impact for students—even in school districts that have yet to be directly impacted by competition. These districts are responding positively due to the mere potential for increased competition for students.