Financial impact of open enrollment on Iowa public schools 1994--1995 through 1999--2000

This dissertation studied the financial impact, resulting from open enrollment, on Iowa public school districts from 1994–1995 through 1999–2000. The main questions answered were: (1) Which districts had the greatest net enrollment losses and gains due to open enrollment? (2) In identified districts, what were the changes in: full time teacher equivalents, pupil-to-teacher ratio, teacher base and average salary, unspent balance, and solvency ratios over the study period? (3) What were Iowa superintendents' opinions regarding open enrollment and budget impact?; The study analyzed data for the 375 Iowa school districts. Data included: number of students enrolled, number of open enrollment students for each district, state average cost per pupil, number of teachers, certified staff salaries, solvency ratios and budget carry-over for the study period. The major purpose of the study was to determine whether financial impacts could be identified in Iowa school districts with significant open enrollment gains and losses. The secondary purpose of the study was to determine superintendents' opinions regarding open enrollment in districts with significant open enrollment gains and losses.; Open enrollment has had a financial impact on the budget for all districts and in turn has had varying impacts on nearly 500,000 children in Iowa schools. Although the open enrollment law in Iowa has created a situation of perceived financial advantage and disadvantage, these impacts cannot be directly observed through the variables present in this study. Financial impact should not be used as a determining factor in the continuance or discontinuance of the open enrollment concept.; Survey results indicated that superintendents from disadvantaged and neutral districts see a need for changing the law while most advantaged district superintendents do not want to see a change. Respondents cited the general fund as the area most impacted by open enrollment.; The researcher recommends that schools need to continually pursue improvements for all students and specifically in order to retain or attract students to their attendance area. The state foundation funds should follow open enrollment students while the local levy tax should remain in the local district.