What factors play a role in making the District of Choice program fit a school district's educational mission

The schooling option that is the most widespread nation-wide is interdistrict open enrollment. In California this is called District of Choice (DOC). DOC programs have been recognized as a tool for school improvement. The program is intended to broaden the choices available and thus promote equity of opportunity by allowing students who lack the means the freedom to transfer to a better performing public school. Only a fraction of California school districts participate in the DOC initiative. Laying aside the potential advantages accrued to students, why do some districts choose to assume the additional enrollment procedures inherent in an optional state program?;Districts that participate in the DOC program are predominately K-12 school districts with enrollments under 5,000. These small school districts relied on the ADA from their DOC students for an average of a quarter of their enrollment revenue. Superintendents that provided the survey and interview data for this study, were motivated to participate in the DOC program for the prestige, monetary factors and because they believed in a parents' right to choice their child's school. This study found that strong school board support was gained by promoting the important advantages the school district could gain by participating. The DOC district gains freer access to interdistrict students by bypassing potential barriers. The study uncovered tensions between school districts as they compete for students. The potential of added prestige and reputation gained as a result of being perceived by the public as a school district that is attractive to family was also a factor in participating.