River Bluff High School Case Study

At Brookland-Cayce High School in Columbia, South Carolina, a 10th grade student contacted the principal of River Bluff High School. This student had a special interest in the legal field, and although he was not zoned for River Bluff or a part of Lexington School District 1, he wondered if there was a way he would be able to attend the Center for Law and Global Policy Development at the school. Unfortunately, this student was not able to attend the specialized center for learning, which directly related to his career aspirations. Even though he lived a short 20 minute drive away, the district policy would not allow this to happen. This is a reality for many students. Kids across the state are not able to receive learning that better fits their needs because of restrictions in regard to school zoning. A school of choice policy should be implemented statewide in South Carolina because students can choose a school that fits their needs, this type of policy is already being passed in state legislatures across the nation, and this promotes student and parent involvement in education. Although school choice legislation is largely beneficial, it is important to understand common criticisms of the policy. A common belief is that …show more content…
If a parent and student are able to work together and choose a school that best fits the child 's needs, it can significantly improve learning. The National Center for Public Education cites communication and decision making as two of the six types of parental involvement in education (Dervarics). Parental involvement is an essential part of education. School choice gives a way for families to come together and to also make a decision, therefore this creates a collaboration between students, parents, and schools. Allowing intervention and a choice in education impacts the level of achievement that students