Summary:
New York offers families limited school choice options. The state does not support private school choice. But it does provide choice within the public education system.
Public School Choice:
New York offers public school choice through intra-district and inter-district open enrollment options. The Center for Education Reform reports that New York has a strong charter school law. As of 2010, over 47,000 students were enrolled in the state’s 186 public charter schools.
Private School Choice:
New York does not offer private school choice.
Online Learning:
New York has very limited online learning options. There is no state-led program; there are no statewide programs; and online charter schools are blocked as a result of charter school caps. According to Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning, there is some online learning provided through districts as well as through the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). iLearnNYC, an initiative led by the New York City Department of Education, piloted in 2010-2011 and provides Advanced Placement courses, credit recovery courses, and a blended learning program. In 2010-2011, 442 students from 38 middle and high schools participated in online courses through the Virtual High School Consortium.
More Information:
Click here for detailed information on New York's public school system and see below for school choice contacts and a history of school choice legislation in New York.