The number of students participating in Schools of Choice has increased dramatically since its inception. During the 1996-97 school year, just 5,611 students attended a school outside of their resident district.[39] For the 2011-12 school year, that amount grew more than 17-fold, to 99,301. As shown in Graphic 1, from 2002-03 to 2011-12, use of School of Choice steadily grew, with the number of students enrolled in nonresident districts increasing each year. Over this recent 10-year period, usage increased by 144 percent.
Graphic 1: Students Enrolled Through Schools of Choice,
2002-2011
Source: Center for Educational Performance and Information.
Most Schools of Choice participation happens within a student’s resident ISD — 105 Choice. Graphic 2 separates students making use of Schools of Choice through both 105 Choice and 105c Choice (outside of their resident ISD). Seventy-nine percent of students enrolled through Schools of Choice use 105 Choice. The number of students using 105 Choice increased by 132 percent during the past ten years. Though fewer students use 105c Choice, it grew more rapidly — 198 percent over the same period.
Graphic 2: Students Enrolled Through 105 Choice and 105c Choice, 2002-2011
Source: Center for Educational Performance and Information.