Nevada’s admission lottery system strips parents of their choice for their child’s education.
There are alternative models which can address both parental choice and student consistency in school admissions. Some districts, like those in Denver, Colorado, use a system called managed open enrollment. This allows families to rank their preferred schools while also considering factors like neighborhood demographics[2] . This way, families in underserved areas get priority for high-quality schools, and more affluent families still have options. It strikes a balance between equity and choice.
Alternatives to the Lottery System
Another approach is controlled choice, used in places like Cambridge, Massachusetts. This system lets families choose from groups of schools that focus on different educational philosophies and approaches[3]. For example, you could pick a school cluster that emphasizes project-based learning, arts integration, or dual-language immersion. This allows you to find a school that matches your values and your child’s learning style.
Time to Prioritize Parental Choice
By moving away from the random lottery system, these alternatives recognize that every child is unique and needs a unique educational environment to thrive. As the Citizens League once proclaimed, “Parents should be the ones to decide what is the best education for their child, not a number drawn randomly out of a hat.”[4]
It’s time to rethink how we handle school admissions. Instead of a broken lottery system that takes away your ability to choose and disrupts your child’s learning, we should adopt models that empower families and promote stability. By prioritizing parental choice and addressing individual student needs, we can create a more fair and effective educational system for all children in Nevada.
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[1] Vega, Caitlin. “Time to End Discriminatory School Enrollment Lotteries.” Fordham Institute, 13 Apr. 2022.
[2] “Student Enrollment Guides.” Denver Public Schools.
[3] Ableidinger, Joseph. “Controlled Choice: A New Avenue for Integrated Urban Education.” Citizens League, 7 Nov. 2019.
[4] Ibid.