SB 2234: Make it easier for students to move between public schools

Senate Bill 2234, sponsored by Sen. Chris Johnson, would allow students to transfer to public schools outside of their residentially assigned school district. 

The bill would make it easier for students to move between public schools to find the setting that works best for them. 

State law currently allows any student to apply for a transfer to another district by submitting a request to his or her local school board. Once approved, the request moves to the school board of the receiving school district for approval. In other words, a student may only transfer to another school district if both the sending and receiving school boards approve the transfer request. 

In practice, some Mississippi districts form agreements with a nearby district or a district consortium, while others choose not to approve any student transfers or review requests on a case-by-case basis. 

Under the proposed bill, a student would be able to transfer to any school district in the state subject to the available capacity of that district to accept transfer students. If a receiving district has more requests for transfers than space available, they will fill seats through a public lottery.

Empower Mississippi supports this legislation.  

SB 2234 has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. You can read the bill here.