Open Enrollment and the Internet:

An Evaluation of Colorado School District Web Sites

by Kirstin Hasler, Research Associate and

Pamela Benigno, Director, Education Policy Center
13952 Denver West Parkway • Suite 400 • Golden, Colorado 80401-3141
www.IndependenceInstitute.org • 303-279-6536 • 303-279-4176 fax IP-6-2007 • November 2007
Preface
Colorado families enjoy a growing variety of public school choice opportunities. In order to
make informed decisions, families must investigate what options are available and understand
the open enrollment process for a school outside their neighborhood school boundaries—in or
out of their district. A thorough and well-organized school district Web site can facilitate pa-
rental research.

The use of the Internet has created a new culture for gathering information and documents
with anywhere access, 24 hours a day. As educational options expand and state and district
policies evolve, a school district Web site is an efficient way for districts to disseminate infor-
mation on current programs and procedures. Yet there is a vast chasm among school district
Web sites in relationship to the depth and accessibility of the information with which parents
need to be familiar.

This Issue Paper is an evaluation of Colorado’s 20 largest school district Web pages specific to
open enrollment. If a school district Web site was easy to navigate and provided access to im-
portant information, the district scored high. The more information available, the more points
scored. The scores are based on a particular window of time. Some school district Web sites
have changed since the evaluation.

The goal of the project is to encourage school districts to provide comprehensive open enroll-
ment and school information in a user-friendly format. The availability of information will
help families make the best educational choices for their children.

Pamela Benigno
Director, Education Policy Center
Independence Institute
Executive Summary
Colorado is an open enrollment state. Parents
must educate themselves about the process
of open enrollment in order to take advan-
tage of the opportunity to choose the public
school their children will attend. A recent
study shows that nearly one-third of low-
and middle-income parents use the Internet
as a method of gathering information about
the open enrollment process.
From the summer of 2006 to the summer of
2007, an evaluation of Colorado’s 20 largest
school district Web sites was conducted. The
Web sites were assigned numerical scores,
based on a rubric, in January 2007 and again
in July 2007. The rubric evaluates whether
school districts met the following criteria:
• A link to up-to-date open enrollment in-
formation, including the enrollment period
or deadline, the location of applications,
where to submit the application, the selection
process, the length of time the enrollment is
valid, mention of the Colorado High School
Activities Association Transfer Rule, an
online application form, and a link to official
district policy on open enrollment.
• A listing of school profiles or school Web
site links that differentiates charter, option,
magnet, focus, contract, and alternative
schools from neighborhood schools.
The evaluation’s findings include:
• Colorado Springs District 11 and Douglas
County School District received the highest
number of points available on the Open En-
rollment Rubric, but both districts could im-
prove the presentation and detail of their in-
formation.
Page 1
• Though not scored on the Rubric, the
manner in which districts presented the open
enrollment information is an important fac-
tor in the ease of access. Poudre School Dis-
trict and Denver Public Schools did not re-
ceive the most possible points on the Rubric,
yet both districts were exceptional in their
presentation of accurate information in a
manner which facilitates parental research.
• A clear mention of the Colorado High
School Activities Association (CHSAA)
Transfer Rule alerts parents to the possibility
that their children may face restricted athletic
eligibility if they open enroll during high
school. Douglas County School District and
Poudre School District both clearly notified
parents of the CHSAA Transfer Rule. During
the evaluation two districts used incorrect
summaries of the Transfer Rule.
• District scores demonstrate that the size
and resources of a district do not necessarily
correspond to the quality of online open en-
rollment information. Brighton School Dis-
trict 27J, the 18th -largest school district in the
state, consistently scored much higher than
Cherry Creek School District, the fourth-
largest district in the state.
Both school districts and families can benefit
from Colorado’s open enrollment opportuni-
ties. Studies have shown that when a parent
chooses a child’s school, parental involve-
ment as a whole increases, which in turn in-
creases the child’s chances of academic suc-
cess. When districts provide open enroll-
ment information online, they encourage pa-
rental involvement and take advantage of an
opportunity to market their schools.
 Introduction
Colorado families benefit from the opportu-
nity to enroll their children in the public
school of their choice. All Colorado residents
are legally entitled to apply to any public
school in the state.1 There are two types of
open enrollment: Intra-district open enroll-
ment allows students to enroll in any school
within their school district of residence,
while inter-district open enrollment allows
students to enroll in a school across district
boundaries. Any student may utilize either
type of open enrollment as long as space is
available in the requested school, the school
meets the student’s educational needs, and a
parent or guardian can provide transporta-
tion.2
Because time- Colorado law requires each school
lines and pro- district to establish its own policies
cedures vary for open enrollment. Because
from district timelines and procedures vary
to district, from district to district, families
families who who wish to open enroll must re-
wish to open search the policy of the district in
enroll must which they are interested. Fami-
lies also need access to information
research the
policy of the regarding their educational op-
district in tions, whether neighborhood,
which they charter, option, magnet, focus, con-
are interested. tract, or alternative schools.
Internet Use
In January 2007, researchers from the Gradu-
ate School of Public Affairs, University of
Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences
Center, released a study titled Opening Doors:
How Low-Income Parents Search for the Right
School.3 The study surveyed low- and mid-
dle-income urban families in Milwaukee,
Washington, D.C., and Denver, three cities
with open enrollment, in order to determine
how parents researched school choice oppor-
tunities. According to Opening Doors, 31% of
low- and middle-income parents use the
Page 2
Internet to gather information about schools
and open enrollment.
While word-of-mouth and printed informa-
tion were the most common means of re-
search among survey respondents, the fact
that nearly one-third of low- and middle-
income urban families used the Internet in
their open enrollment investigation indicates
that online research is an important aspect of
open enrollment information-gathering.
Given the widespread use of the
The goal of
Internet at all levels of society, main-
the project is
taining informative open enrollment to encourage
Web pages is one way for districts to school dis-
market their schools and to assist tricts to pro-
parents in finding the best educa- vide compre-
tional choices for their children. hensive open
enrollment
School District Web Site and school
Evaluation Project information
Over the course of one year, an in a user-
evaluation of Colorado’s 20 largest friendly for-
school district Web sites was con- mat in order
ducted to determine if districts made to assist par-
available, via the Internet, essential ents in choos-
open enrollment procedural infor- ing the best
mation in an easy-to-access manner. education for
(See Appendix for more information their children.
on specific districts.) Because parents need
to know about the schools from which they
can choose, the manner in which districts dis-
played school information was also a part of
the evaluation. The goal of the project is to
encourage school districts to provide com-
prehensive open enrollment and school in-
formation in a user-friendly format in order
to assist parents in choosing the best educa-
tion for their children.
Methodology
Each Web site was scored according to the
Open Enrollment Rubric (see table 1), and
assigned points up to a possible score of 32
(see tables 2 and 3).
Table 1. Open Enrollment Rubric
A. Detailed Information Posted
Enrollment window / deadline 3 points Length of open enrollment window, or the application submission deadline

Location from which to obtain open enrollment application (i.e., online, district
Location of application 3 points offices, sending school, school of choice)

Where to submit application 3 points Location at which to submit application

A detailed description of the district's method of selecting applicants for open

Selection process 3 points enrollment, or the use of any of the following terms to describe the process:
"lottery," "waiting list," "first-come, first-served," "principal decides"

Length of time for which enrollment at the school of choice is valid (e.g., one
Length enrollment is valid 3 points year, end of level, until student choices into another school)

Contact name or number 1 point Contact name or phone number specific to the open enrollment process

Alerts parents to the Colorado High School Activities Association Transfer Rule
Mentions CHSAA Transfer Rule 3 points regarding students who change schools during high school; any provided ex-
planation of the Rule must be correct

B. Online Application Form

The application form can be downloaded or accessed from the open enroll-
Application form available online 3 points ment section of the Web site, or is specified as being online during the open
enrollment period

C. Location of Information from Home Page (link must fit in one of these two categories)
Link labeled a variation of "open
enrollment," "options," "school 3 points
choice"
OR
Link labeled a variation of
2 points
"registration" or "enrollment"
D. School District Policy
A direct link to, or file of, school district policy regarding open enrollment from
District policy linked from open
1 point the Web site's open enrollment section; the existence of district policy on the
enrollment page Web site is not sufficient to receive a point

E. Schools
List of schools differentiated by A list of schools or programs differentiated by relevant descriptions (e.g.,
3 points "Charter Schools," "Option Schools," "Focus Schools," "Magnet Schools")
relevant descriptions
Description or link to school/
3 points Description of the school/program, or a link to the school/program Web site
program Web site
Total Possible Points: 32 points

Page 3
 Table 2. January 2007 School District Web Site Scores
Location of Information District
Detailed Information Posted Form (Links) Policy Schools

Point Value 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 or 2 1 3 3

"Open Enrollment," "Options,"

Enrollment window / Deadline

Description or link to school/

List of schools differentiated
"Registration," "Enrollment"
Where to submit application

Application available online

Mentions CHSAA Transfer
Length enrollment is valid

District policy linked from

Contact name or number

by relevant descriptions
Location of application

open enrollment page

Selection process

"(School) Choice"

program Web site

Rule
TOTAL
School District SCORE
Colorado Springs 11 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 1 3 3 32
Douglas County 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 1 3 3 32
Page 4

Jefferson County 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 1 3 3 31
Poudre 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 31
Adams 12 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 30
Brighton 27J 3 3 3 3 3 1 1.5 3 3 0.5 3 3 30
Denver 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 3 3 1 3 3 29
Academy 20 3 3 3 0 3 1 3 3 3 0 3 3 28
Boulder Valley 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 3 3 0 0 3 25
Adams County 50 0 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 0 3 3 24
Greeley-Evans 6 3 3 3 0 3 0 0 3 3 0 3 3 24
Littleton 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 3 0 3 0 22
Falcon 49 3 3 3 3 0 1 0 3 0 3 3 22
Thompson 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1 0 0 0.5 3 3 15
Cherry Creek 3 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 3 13
Aurora 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6
Harrison 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6
Pueblo 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6
St Vrain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6
Mesa County Valley 51 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
 Table 3. July 2007 School District Web Site Scores
Location of Information District
Detailed Information Posted Form (Links) Policy Schools

Point Value 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 or 2 1 3 3

District policy linked from open

"Open Enrollment," "Options,"
Enrollment window / Deadline

Description or link to school/

List of schools differentiated
"Registration," "Enrollment"
Where to submit application

Application available online

Mentions CHSAA Transfer
Length enrollment is valid

Contact name or number

by relevant descriptions
Location of application

Selection process

"(School) Choice"

program Web site

enrollment page
Rule
TOTAL
School District SCORE
Colorado Springs 11 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 1 3 3 32
Douglas County 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 1 3 3 32
Page 5

Poudre 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 31
Adams 12 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 0 3 3 30
Aurora 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 1 3 3 28
Jefferson County 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 1 3 3 28
Academy 20 3 3 3 0 3 1 3 3 2 0 3 3 27
Brighton 27J 3 3 3 3 3 1 1.5 3 0.5 3 3 27
Littleton 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 3 2 0 3 3 27
Denver 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 3 1 3 3 26
Boulder Valley 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 3 2 0 0 3 24
Falcon 49 3 3 3 3 0 1 0 3 0 3 3 22
Cherry Creek 3 3 0.5 0 1.5 1 1.5 1.5 0 3 3 18
Greeley-Evans 6 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 3 3 17
Thompson 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1 0 0 0.5 3 3 15
Adams County 50 0 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 0 1.5 1.5 0.5 0 3 12.5
Harrison 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6
Pueblo 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6
St Vrain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6
Mesa County Valley 51 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
 The Web sites were evaluated four different
times: summer 2006, fall 2006, winter 2007,
and summer 2007. Numerical scores were
assigned in January 2007 and July 2007.
During the course of the evaluation and ac-
tual scoring period, many school districts
were contacted regarding questions or con-
cerns about the information provided on
their Web sites. If school districts
To make in- subsequently made changes or ad-
formed deci- ditions to their Web sites, scores
sions, parents were adjusted accordingly. The
should have a final scoring was delayed from
comprehen- June until July because one district
sive under- was launching its new Web site at
standing of the beginning of July.
the entire
open enroll- In cases where partial information
ment process,
was found on Web sites, partial
including the
scores were assigned. For exam-
consequences
ple, the Thompson School District
of enrolling in
Web site directed its information
a school out-
only to district residents. Because
side a
Thompson provided no informa-
family’s
tion for non-residents who may
neighborhood
wish to enroll in a Thompson
school area.
school, the district was assigned
half the possible points for applicable catego-
ries. The scores in tables 2 and 3 indicate
other instances where partial points were
awarded.
Open Enrollment Rubric
The following is an explanation of each cate-
gory and item on the Open Enrollment Ru-
bric:
A. Detailed Information
To make informed decisions, parents should
have a comprehensive understanding of the
entire open enrollment process, including the
consequences of enrolling in a school outside
a family’s neighborhood school area. School
Page 6
districts can aid parents by providing infor-
mation in a clearly marked section of their
district Web sites. The Detailed Information
category of the Open Enrollment Rubric in-
cludes seven items basic to the open enroll-
ment process.
Enrollment Window and Applications
Parents need to know the application dead-
line or open enrollment window, the location
to obtain the application form, and the loca-
tion to submit the form.
Selection Process
An explanation of the student selection proc-
ess provides parents with a better under-
standing of the likelihood of their children’s
enrollment in their school of choice.
In some districts the principal deter- An explana-
mines admission, while others use a tion of the
lottery or a waiting list. Others sim- student selec-
tion process
ply operate on a first-come, first-
provides par-
served basis.
ents with a
better under-
Length of Enrollment
standing of
Because school districts determine
the likelihood
the length of time of a student’s en-
of their chil-
rollment in the choice school, they
dren’s enroll-
should make the information avail-
ment in their
able to parents. For example, Colo- school of
rado Springs District 11 requires stu- choice.
dents who open enroll to reapply
each year, while students in Loveland’s
Thompson School District are enrolled until
they complete the highest grade level served
by the choice school.4 In many school dis-
tricts the new school becomes the student’s
“home” school and the student must apply
for open enrollment to return back to the
neighborhood school. In neighborhoods
where there are crowded schools, districts
may not guarantee that space will be avail-
able for a student who wishes to return to his
neighborhood school.
 Contact Information
The name of the department to contact or a
phone number to call regarding questions
about open enrollment should be readily
available on the Web site’s open enrollment
section. While evaluating school district Web
sites, several districts were contacted by
phone. It was sometimes difficult to reach
the administrator or personnel re-
High school
sponsible for open enrollment in
students are
subject to districts that did not supply a con-
regulations tact number specific to open enroll-
by the Colo- ment.5 However, in some districts
rado High it was easy to reach the appropriate
School Ac- staff. Boulder Valley School District
tivities As- is one district that made contact in-
sociation formation available on its open en-
(CHSAA), rollment page. Even when con-
which places tacted in the summertime, a knowl-
some restric- edgeable Boulder Valley staff mem-
tions on ath- ber provided assistance.6
letic eligibil-
ity for stu- Colorado High School Activities
dents who Association Restrictions
transfer or Restricted athletic eligibility is a sig-
open enroll. nificant factor that students should
consider before transferring to another
school. High school students are subject to
regulations by the Colorado High School Ac-
tivities Association (CHSAA), which places
some restrictions on athletic eligibility for
students who transfer or open enroll.
In April 2002 the CHSAA Board of Control
approved a more restrictive Transfer Rule
that affected transfers during the summer.
Simply put, a high school athlete who trans-
fers schools at any time after the beginning of
his freshman year without a bona fide family
move may have limited eligibility to partici-
pate in the new school’s athletic program.
Often complicated, the CHSAA Transfer
Rule varies according to circumstances for
students who open enroll during high
Page 7
school. Parents should be aware of the
Transfer Rule when they decide whether to
open enroll their high school student. A stu-
dent who makes a transfer could be ad-
versely affected if found ineligible to partici-
pate in athletics at his new school.
Districts should alert parents to the possibil-
ity of CHSAA Transfer Rule restrictions in
their open enrollment information and on the
actual open enrollment application.7 The
Rule can be found at: www.chsaa.org/
home/pdf/transrulebklt.pdf
Eight districts in January 2007 and 11 in July
2007 at least mentioned the CHSAA Transfer
Rule in their open enrollment information or
application. Douglas County noted
on its open enrollment application: Often com-
“High School Only Note: A student plicated, the
who transfers to a different high CHSAA
school without a bone [sic] fide family Transfer
move over the summer will have re- Rule varies
stricted eligibility for the first 50% of according to
circum-
the season in the upcoming school
stances for
year in those sports (sponsored by
students who
CHSAA) in which they participated open enroll
during the calendar year preceding during high
the transfer.”8 This short summary of school.
the Rule accurately notifies parents
that student athletic participation could be
affected by a transfer. The bold lettering
helps to bring attention to the summary.
Poudre School District informed parents of
the CHSAA Transfer Rule by linking from its
open enrollment page to a PDF document
titled “Athletic Eligibility and Colorado High
School Athletic Transfer Rule.”9 The docu-
ment clearly explained the restrictions and
exceptions of the CHSAA Rule for high
school athletes. The location of the docu-
ment could be misleading, though, as it was
found under the heading “School Choice
Procedures for 8th-Grade Student Athletes,”
 while the Rule applies to high school stu-
dents as well. A notice about the Rule was
also included on the open enrollment appli-
cation.
However, during the evaluation, Littleton
Public Schools and Boulder Valley School
District both mentioned the Transfer Rule
but provided either an outdated or incorrect
summary about the Transfer Rule. After be-
ing made aware of the errors, both
The location districts’ summaries were under
of open en- review with the intention of correct-
rollment in- ing the problem.10
formation on
a school dis-
B. Online Application Form
trict’s Web
Posting an open enrollment applica-
site can de-
tion form on a school district’s Web
termine its
accessibility site assists parents with the open
to parents. enrollment process, and saves time
for both the parents and school dis-
trict staff. Parents should review the form,
which often includes pertinent details, before
making a final decision to open enroll their
children in a school.
C. Location of Information from the
Home Page
The location of open enrollment information
on a school district’s Web site can determine
its accessibility to parents. No matter what
time of year it is, starting from the home
page, a parent should be able to easily decide
which button or link to select to find open
enrollment information. A variation of
“Open Enrollment,” “Options,” or “Choice”
is the clearest title for a link. The second
most logical link is a variation of
“Enrollment” or “Registration.”
When the Web sites were scored in January
2007, a common open enrollment time pe-
riod, nine school districts had open enroll-
ment announcements on their home pages
linking to open enrollment details.11 In July
Page 8
2007, during the final round of evaluations,
three open enrollment announcements re-
mained on district home pages, while six had
been removed.12
One district in particular changed the loca-
tion of its information drastically between
summer and winter. Brighton School District
27J received points in January 2007 for hav-
ing a link on its home page titled “Open En-
rollment Window Open 2007-2008
School Year.” However, when Web A variation
sites were first evaluated (though not of “Open En-
scored) in July 2006, Brighton’s open rollment,”
“Options,”
enrollment information was located
or “Choice”
on the “Planning Offices” Web page.
is the clear-
When sites were scored in July 2007,
est title for a
Brighton’s information again had
link.
been placed on the “Planning Of-
fices” page. In order to obtain the informa-
tion, a parent would have to go to “District
Offices,” click on “Planning,” and then click
on the “SD27J Planning Information” link.
Open enrollment was linked from this page.
Colorado Springs District 11 had a link on
the top of its home page labeled, “You Have
Choices!”13 Such a title informs parents that
they have the opportunity to choose which
school their children will attend. Selecting
one link from the home page makes naviga-
tion easier than following several links
through pages not directly related to open
enrollment.
Six districts in January 2007 and five in July
2007 had located open enrollment informa-
tion under links labeled “Parents” or
“Students.”14 Though “Parents” or
“Students” are commonly used labels, dis-
tricts should use a variation of “Open Enroll-
ment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
D. School District Policy
Most school districts make official school
 district policies and regulations available on
their Web sites. State law requires school
districts to have an open enrollment policy,
but finding the relevant policy is not an easy
task. Districts were granted points for dis-
trict policy only if there was a direct link to
the policy from Web pages specifically ori-
ented toward open enrollment information.
E. Schools
School districts should facilitate parental re-
search by providing information regarding
schools on their Web sites.
The Open List of Schools Differentiated by
Enrollment Relevant Descriptions
Rubric used All schools, including charter, op-
to score tion, magnet, focus, contract, and
school dis- alternative schools, should be listed.
trict Web
The list should distinguish
sites sets a
neighborhood schools from other
high, but not
types of schools so that parents un-
unattainable,
derstand the educational choices
standard. available in each district.
School/Program Description or Link
A profile for each school or a link to each
school’s Web site is essential for aiding par-
ents in their investigation of open enroll-
ment.
Highest Scoring Web Sites
The Open Enrollment Rubric used to score
school district Web sites sets a high, but not
unattainable, standard. Many districts that
did not receive the highest possible points
could do so with a few simple modifications.
Some districts received a significantly differ-
ent score in January 2007 than they did in
July 2007. In many cases, districts placed
open enrollment information links on their
home pages only during the period in which
they accepted open enrollment applications.
Page 9
Other Web sites were redesigned in the in-
terim, and provided more information in July
than had been available in January.
Colorado Springs School District 11 and
Douglas County School District were the
only school districts to receive the most
points possible based on the Open Enroll-
ment Rubric, and did so during both the
January 2007 and July 2007 evalua-
tions. In January, each district had an Colorado
announcement regarding the open Springs
enrollment period on its home page School Dis-
that linked to comprehensive infor- trict 11 and
mation about the open enrollment Douglas
process. Colorado Springs District 11 County
maintained a link at the top of its School Dis-
trict were the
page year-round. Douglas County
only school
had removed the link at the top of its
districts to
page when evaluated in July, leaving
receive the
only a link to an outdated
most points
“Educational Options” brochure at
possible
the bottom of a very long home page. based on the
Douglas County received points for Open Enroll-
the link, despite its poor location and ment Ru-
outdated information. However, the bric...
district should consider updating its
“Educational Options” brochure for the cur-
rent school year and placing the link in a
more prominent position on the page.
In January 2007, other top scoring districts
were:
Jefferson County School District (31 points):
Lost one point because there was no contact
information specific to open enrollment.
Poudre School District (31 points): Lost one
point because there was no mention of open
enrollment on the home page. However, the
district did have a prominent school registra-
tion button on the home page year-round.
 Adams 12 Northglenn-Thornton School District
(30 points): Lost one point because there was
no contact information specific to open en-
rollment and lost another point because
school board policies regarding open enroll-
ment were not linked directly from the open
enrollment section.
In July 2007, other top scoring districts were:
Poudre School District (31 points): Lost one
point because there was no mention of open
enrollment on the home page. However, the
district did have a prominent
Four dis- school registration button on the
tricts made
home page year-round.
changes to
their Web
Adams 12 Northglenn-Thornton
sites in Au-
School District (30 points): Lost one
gust 2007.
point because there was no contact
information specific to open enrollment and
lost another point because school board poli-
cies regarding open enrollment were not
linked directly from the open enrollment sec-
tion.
Aurora Public Schools (28 points): Lost one
point because there was no contact informa-
tion specific to open enrollment and three
points for not providing a link titled a varia-
tion of “Open Enrollment,” “Options,” or
“School Choice.”
Web Site Modifications in August
Four districts made changes to their Web
sites in August 2007.15 Because scoring was
limited to January 2007 and July 2007, these
changes are not reflected in the scores on ta-
bles 2 and 3. Even so, the changes were sig-
nificant enough to warrant mention.
Boulder Valley School District removed the
link titled “Enrolling your child in BVSD,”
found on its home page in July, replacing it
with a link titled “Newcomer Family Page.”
Enrollment information, including the “Open
Page 10
Enrollment” page, had moved to this
“Newcomers” page. The “Newcomers” title
could be misleading to parents who are cur-
rent residents of Boulder Valley, but wish to
open enroll their children in a school other
than their neighborhood school. Because
Boulder’s open enrollment information was
no longer found under a link titled
“Enrollment” or “Registration,” the district
would lose two points if rescored.
Cherry Creek School District removed the
non-resident application form from its enroll-
ment page. There was a statement noting the
form would be available from April 1
through August 1, the period during which
the district accepts non-resident open enroll-
ment applications. No changes
would be made to Cherry Creek’s St. Vrain
score because the district stated when Valley
the form would be available. School Dis-
trict made
the most
Jefferson County School District
noteworthy
placed a new link titled “Enrollment”
changes to
on its home page, under the heading its Web site.
“Back to School 2007-08.” Jefferson
County would receive two more points if res-
cored in August, to account for the addition
of an enrollment link. However, the link ap-
peared to be posted only due to the start of
the school year. A link to enrollment infor-
mation should be available year-round, not
only during the open enrollment window
and the beginning of the school year.
St. Vrain Valley School District made the
most noteworthy changes to its Web site.
Whereas St. Vrain had no information re-
garding open enrollment on its Web site in
July 2007, as of August 7, the district had
added an entire section regarding the topic to
its general enrollment page. While St. Vrain
did not provide a thorough summary of its
open enrollment process, it did provide links
to the open enrollment application, an appeal
 form, and school district policy and regula-
tions, which outline the procedures in detail.
Although the district should still make its
information more parent-friendly, if St. Vrain
were rescored in August, it would have re-
ceived 28 points (rather than six points) ac-
cording to the Open Enrollment Rubric.
Districts that made changes in August were
not rescored because it is important that
open enrollment information be available
year-round, not only during the open enroll-
ment window or just prior to the beginning
of the school year. Changes made in August
illustrate the fact that school district Web
sites are continuously changing, sometimes
for the worse but often for the better. Dis-
tricts should be working to ensure
All informa- that accurate and complete infor-
tion should mation is always readily available
be linked on their Web sites for interested
from one parents.
page and
should be
Presentation of Information
written in
While the manner in which infor-
clear, parent-
mation is presented on Web sites
friendly lan-
was not evaluated with the Open
guage.
Enrollment Rubric, the organization
of information is an important aspect of eas-
ing parental research. Not only should com-
prehensive information regarding the open
enrollment process be clearly posted on dis-
trict Web sites, it should also be presented in
an easy-to-read format. All information
should be linked from one page and should
be written in clear, parent-friendly language.
The Denver Public School District and the
Poudre School District Web sites stood out
because of the manner in which their infor-
mation was organized and presented. Nei-
ther district received a perfect score on the
Open Enrollment Rubric, but both provided
accurate information in an organized, user-
friendly format.
Page 11
The Denver Public Schools Web Site offered,
in Spanish and English, a tri-fold, double-
sided brochure that contained most of the
information parents need in order to open
enroll their children in a DPS school. Parents
could download this brochure for future ref-
erence. The brochure defined school choice,
detailed the timeline for both first and sec-
ond round selection, and explained the selec-
tion process in detail. The brochure noted
when and where applications were available,
where they must be submitted, and what
documentation would be required. There
was also a short question-and-answer
section, which addressed the issues of The Denver
transportation, the open enrollment Public
process, and the choice provision of Schools Web
the Federal No Child Left Behind Act. Site offered,
A phone number for the School of in Spanish
Choice Office was listed.16 In addi- and English,
tion to the brochure, Denver pro- a tri-fold,
vided links to the full text of its offi- double-sided
brochure that
cial open enrollment policies on the
contained
open enrollment section of its Web
most of the
site, which explained the process in
information
greater detail.
parents need
in order to
Denver should give parents a more open enroll
complete understanding of the open their children
enrollment process by providing in- in a DPS
formation on the CHSAA restrictions, school.
information the brochure did not in-
clude. Additionally, the brochure was diffi-
cult to find in the summer. In July 2007, it
was found on the “School of Choice Office”
Web page, located under the “Departments”
link from the District’s home page. In Janu-
ary 2007, open enrollment information was
linked directly from the District’s home page;
the brochure was therefore easier to find.
Poudre School District’s presentation was
also well-organized and comprehensive. The
most specific information could be found via
the “School Registration” link, under the sub-
 heading “School Choice Registration.”17 The
deadline for applications was noted, the ap-
plication procedures outlined, and the proc-
ess of selection explained. A PDF link titled
“Educational Choices Overview” offered
parents a closer look at the unique schools
and programs offered by the district. A time-
line that guides parents through the open
enrollment process, the school district policy,
and an application were linked from the
“Registration Information” page. Poudre
also made an obvious effort to ensure parents
knew about CHSAA restrictions. The Trans-
fer Rule was explained on the school choice
section of the Web site, as well as being noted
on the School Choice Application just above
the signature line. With the excep-
Poudre also tion of the school district policy and
made an ob-
the athletic eligibility document,
vious effort
Poudre offered all the documents in
to ensure
both English and Spanish.
parents knew
about
One concern was Poudre’s exten-
CHSAA re-
strictions. sive use of PDF documents, which
can be time-consuming to
download, especially if parents do not have
access to high-speed Internet. The district
should consider providing HTML or Word
links, in addition to the PDF files.
Besides Denver and Poudre, six districts had
information available in languages other
than English. Adams 12, Brighton 27J,
Greeley 6, and Jefferson County had applica-
tions available in Spanish, while Boulder Val-
ley provided a link to its entire “Open Enroll-
ment” page in Spanish. In January, Adams
50 published its “Educational Choices” bro-
chure in Spanish. Jefferson County also pro-
vided applications in Russian. The availabil-
ity of information in languages besides Eng-
lish increases the number of families able to
research open enrollment.
Page 12
Conclusion
The increasing availability of the Internet in
homes and public libraries provides school
districts with opportunities to market all
their schools to Colorado families. Though
not a replacement for paper brochures and
maps, the Internet is yet another means for
parents to research educational options. Us-
ing the Internet, a parent can gather informa-
tion about multiple school districts at her
convenience, which allows for more in-
formed decisions.
The evaluation of school district Web
sites was conducted with the goal of Using the
encouraging districts to provide par- Internet, a
ents with the pertinent details regard- parent can
ing open enrollment policies and gather infor-
educational options. The Open En- mation
about multi-
rollment Rubric by which school dis-
ple school
trict Web sites were evaluated repre-
districts at
sents the basic standards that school
her conven-
districts should meet in supplying ience, which
parents with information. Colorado allows for
Springs District 11 and Douglas more in-
County School District received all formed deci-
possible points, but nonetheless still sions.
have room for improvement.
School district Web pages dedicated to
school choice should contain a comprehen-
sive description of the open enrollment proc-
ess, including the application window, loca-
tion of forms, where to submit the forms, the
method of applicant selection, the length of
time the enrollment is valid, and open enroll-
ment contact information. A statement noti-
fying parents of the CHSAA Transfer Rule
should be included in any information and
on the open enrollment application. Provid-
ing the application online simplifies the open
enrollment process by allowing parents to
apply without searching out any further pa-
perwork. While complicated school board
 policies should not be the only source of in-
formation for parents, the district should
provide a link from its open enrollment page
to the specific board policies for both intra-
and inter-district open enrollment.
All open enrollment information should be
clearly-labeled and well-organized so that
parents can quickly find the necessary de-
tails. Providing a link from the home page
labeled as a variation of “Open En-
School dis- rollment,” “Options,” or “Choice”
tricts and eases research, as does placing all
families pertinent information on one page.
alike can
benefit from
Numerous Colorado school districts
high quality
offer a wide array of educational
open enroll-
options. Besides charter schools,
ment Web
pages. many neighborhood or other dis-
trict-run schools have developed a
particular focus or offer unique programs.
Descriptions of the schools or programs
should be differentiated by school type and
be available on school district Web sites.
The school district Web sites scored in tables
2 and 3 are from the largest districts in Colo-
rado. The scores demonstrate that while
some districts are meeting high standards,
others have a number of improvements to
Page 13
make. For example, Cherry Creek School
District is the fourth-largest district in the
state, yet according to the Open Enrollment
Rubric, ranked only 15th and 13th in January
2007 and July 2007, respectively. By contrast,
Brighton 27J, the 18th largest school district in
the state, ranked sixth in the January evalua-
tion and eighth in the July evaluation.18 The
Internet is an affordable and time-efficient
means by which all Colorado school districts
can aid parents in the school choice process.
It is not simply the size and resources
of a district that determine the quality School dis-
of its online open enrollment infor- tricts should
mation, but also a district’s attitude strive to
meet or ex-
toward open enrollment.
ceed the
standards set
School districts and families alike can
by the Open
benefit from high quality open enroll-
Enrollment
ment Web pages. By encouraging
Rubric.
parents to search out the best educa-
tional opportunities for their children, dis-
tricts help parents become more involved in
their children’s education, and thus improve
the chances for academic success.19 It is in
everyone’s best interest to encourage in-
formed decision making on the part of par-
ents. School districts should strive to meet or
exceed the standards set by the Open Enroll-
ment Rubric.
 Appendix:
Compliments and Recommendations
All school district Web sites in this evalua-
tion presented open enrollment information
in a different manner. In their open enroll-
ment sections, many school districts pro-
vided valuable information not included in
the basic Open Enrollment Rubric. The fol-
lowing observations compliment district ef-
forts that met or exceeded the standards set
by the Rubric and provide suggestions for
improvement on each district Web page.
1. Academy 20
Compliments: A schedule of choice informa-
tion meetings was posted. The site indicated
when the choice application window was
closed.
Recommendations: Provide information re-
garding the selection process, and a link to
district policy from the open enrollment sec-
tion. Link year-round to the open enrollment
section from the home page and title the link
as a variation of “Open Enrollment,”
“Options,” or “Choice.”
2. Adams 12
Compliments: An application was available in
English and in Spanish.
Recommendations: Provide contact informa-
tion for open enrollment questions, and link
to the district policy from the open enroll-
ment section. Link year-round to the open
enrollment section from the home page and
title the link as a variation of “Open Enroll-
ment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
3. Adams County 50
Compliments: A good “Choices” brochure
was provided in January, in English and
in Spanish.
Recommendations: Provide information for
both inter- and intra-district open enroll-
ment. Link year-round to the open enroll-
Page 14
ment section from the home page and title
the link as a variation of “Open Enrollment,”
“Options,” or “Choice.”
4. Aurora
Compliments: The site improved significantly
between January 2007 and July 2007. In July
the site had an open enrollment section.
Recommendations: Provide contact informa-
tion specific to open enrollment. Link year-
round to the open enrollment section from
the home page and title the link as a varia-
tion of “Open Enrollment,” “Options,” or
“Choice.”
5. Boulder Valley
Compliments: Provided the entire open enroll-
ment section in English and in Spanish.
Recommendations: The district should pro-
vide a correct summary of the CHSAA
Transfer Rule. Link year-round to the open
enrollment section from the home page and
title the link as a variation of “Open Enroll-
ment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
6. Brighton 27J
Compliments: Though difficult to find during
the summer, the site was well-organized and
helpful. An application was available in
English and in Spanish.
Recommendations: The district should provide
a link to its inter-district open enrollment
policy. Link year-round to the open enroll-
ment section from the home page and title
the link as a variation of “Open Enrollment,”
“Options,” or “Choice.” Never place open
enrollment information under the “Planning
Department.”
7. Cherry Creek
Compliments: The district had added informa-
tion for non-residents when the site was re-
evaluated in July 2007.
Recommendations: Provide more detailed in-
formation regarding the open enrollment
process, including links to applications and
to the district policy. Link year-round to the
open enrollment section from the home page
and title the link as a variation of “Open En-
rollment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
8. Colorado Springs 11
Compliments: An open enrollment link was
on the home page year-round.
Recommendations: Rather than just mention
the CHSAA Transfer Rule, the district should
explain that there may be restrictions for
high school athletes.
9. Denver
Compliments: A nicely-organized, succinct
school choice brochure was available in Eng-
lish and in Spanish.
Recommendations: Add information about the
CHSAA Transfer Rule to the brochure. Link
year-round to the open enrollment section
from the home page and title the link as a
variation of “Open Enrollment,” “Options,”
or “Choice.”
10. Douglas County
Compliments: The “Educational Options” link
was maintained on the home page year-
round. The district also indicated which
schools had space available for open enroll-
ment, which schools were near capacity, and
which were full. Provided clear, well labeled
summary of CHSAA Transfer Rule.
Recommendations: Move the “Educational Op-
tions” publication link up higher on the
home page so that it is easier to find, and up-
date the brochure so that it addresses the up-
coming school year. The “Educational Op-
tions” link should also direct parents to the
information found on the “Open Enrollment
Information” page.
11. Falcon School 49
Compliments: The number of open enrollment
slots available in each school was noted, and
Page 15
most information was found in one section of
the Web site.
Recommendations: Provide more detailed in-
formation about open enrollment. Link year-
round to the open enrollment section from
the home page and title the link as a varia-
tion of “Open Enrollment,” “Options,” or
“Choice.”
12. Greeley-Evans 6
Compliments: The information on the Web site
clearly indicated that some charter schools
had different enrollment procedures and
timelines. Educational options were listed on
the school choice information section. An
application was available in English and in
Spanish.
Recommendations: Provide information re-
garding where to submit forms, the selection
process, the length of time the enrollment is
valid, contact information, and the CHSAA
Transfer Rule. Link year-round to the open
enrollment section from the home page and
title the link as a variation of “Open Enroll-
ment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
13. Harrison Two
Compliments: Between the January 2007 and
July 2007 evaluations the district added the
heading “School of Choice” under the
“Registration” section.
Recommendations: Provide details suggested
under the “Detailed Information” category of
the Open Enrollment Rubric. Link year-
round to the open enrollment section from
the home page and title the link as a varia-
tion of “Open Enrollment,” “Options,” or
“Choice.”
14. Jefferson County
Compliments: The Web site was nicely organ-
ized, mentioned the CHSAA Transfer Rule
on the application, and provided information
and applications in English, Spanish, and
Russian.
Recommendations: The district should provide
a contact number for questions specific to
open enrollment. Link year-round to the
open enrollment section from the home page
and title the link as a variation of “Open En-
rollment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
15. Littleton
Compliments: The district maintained a well-
organized site with specific information for
intra-district and inter-district applicants.
Recommendations: Link year-round to the
open enrollment section from the home page
and title the link as a variation of “Open En-
rollment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
16. Mesa County Valley 51
Compliments: None.
Recommendations: Provide more detailed in-
formation, differentiate between types of
schools, note the existence of a charter school
in the district, and provide descriptions of all
schools or links to all school Web sites. Link
year-round to the open enrollment section
from the home page and title the link as a
variation of “Open Enrollment,” “Options,”
or “Choice.”
17. Poudre
Compliments: Good information on CHSAA
Transfer Rule restrictions. All information
was well organized and detailed.
Recommendations: Combine the open enroll-
ment information on the “Registration” page
with the information on the “Choice” page.
Either put all information under both links,
or provide a link to the “Registration” page
from the “Choice” page. Link year-round to
the open enrollment section from the home
page and title the link as a variation of “Open
Enrollment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
Page 16
18. Pueblo 60
Compliments: None.
Recommendations: Dedicate a section of the
Web site to open enrollment/choice informa-
tion and include the information suggested
on the Open Enrollment Rubric. Link year-
round to the open enrollment section from
the home page and title the link as a varia-
tion of “Open Enrollment,” “Options,” or
“Choice.”
19. St. Vrain
Compliments: Added an open enrollment sec-
tion on the “Enrollment” page in August,
2007.
Recommendations: Provide a more thorough
summary of open enrollment procedures in
parent-friendly language. Link year-round
to the open enrollment section from the
home page and title the link as a variation of
“Open Enrollment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
20. Thompson
Compliments: None.
Recommendations: The principal determines
acceptance on a first-come, first-served basis,
but this is not mentioned on the “Schools of
Choice” page or in district policy. The au-
thors were informed about this policy by a
district employee.20 No points were
awarded. Also, all information is directed
toward district residents only. The district
should provide information for out-of-
district students, and link year-round to the
open enrollment section from the home page
with the link titled as a variation of “Open
Enrollment,” “Options,” or “Choice.”
Notes
1 Colorado Revised Statutes § 22-36-101. Restrictions
apply to non-public school students seeking to enroll
into an online school, effective until July 1, 2008.
2 There are only five reasons for a school to deny a re-
quest for application: 1) Lack of space or teaching staff
in the requested school or program; 2) The school does
not offer the program or is not structured to meet spe-
cial needs of the applicant; 3) The applicant does not
meet the established eligibility requirements for the
school or program; 4) A desegregation plan is in effect;
and 5) The student has been expelled or is in the proc-
ess of being expelled. In addition, the school is not re-
quired to do any of the following to accommodate an
applicant: Alter the structure or function of the school
or any classrooms; Establish a program not currently
available; Alter or waive established eligibility require-
ments; Enroll any student after October 1. See C.R.S. §
22-36-101.
3 Paul Teske, Jody Fitzpatrick, and Gabriel Kaplan,
Opening Doors: How Low-Income Parents Search for the
Right School (Denver: Graduate School of Public Affairs,
University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences
Center, January 2007).
4 Colorado Springs School District 11, http://www.
cssd11.k12.co.us/choicewindow/faq.htm; Thompson
R-2J School District, http://www.thompson.12.co.us/
nprograms/choice/html
5 Examples of districts that were difficult to contact
regarding open enrollment: Pueblo School District No.
60, August 1, 2006; Academy School District 20, June
18, 2007.
6 Telephone conversation between Pam Benigno and
Kathy Mitze, July 2, 2007.
7 CHSAA Bylaw, Article 18, CHSAA Transfer Rule,
http://chsaa.org/about/pdf/handbook.pdf
8 Douglas County School District, 2007-2008 DCSD
Open Enrollment Application (bold lettering in original).
9 Poudre School District, http://www.psd.k12.co.us/
psdinfo/newsevents/index.aspx?newseventid=1
Page 17
10 At the time of publication Littleton School District
had corrected its statement about the Transfer Rule and
Boulder Valley School District had removed the docu-
ment containing the incorrect information from its Web
site.
11 The nine districts were as follows: Colorado Springs
11, Douglas County, Jefferson County Public Schools,
Brighton School District 27J, Adams 12 Five Star
Schools, Denver Public Schools, Boulder Valley, Acad-
emy 20, Greeley-Evans School District 6.
12 The three districts that retained their open enroll-
ment announcements on the main Web page were as
follows: Colorado Springs 11, Douglas County, Adams
12.
13 Colorado Springs 11, http://www.d11.org/. Before
publication, the district had changed the “You Have
Choices!” link to a menu button titled “Choice.”
14 January: Littleton, Adams County School District 50,
Falcon School District 49, Cherry Creek, Thompson,
Mesa County Valley. July: Aurora, Jefferson County,
Falcon 49, Cherry Creek School District, Mesa County
Valley School District 51.
15 As of August 7, 2007.
16 Denver Public Schools, Traditional Choice Application
Information School Year 2007-2008,
http://soco.dpsk12.org/stories/storyReader$143
17 Poudre School District, http://www.psd.k12.co.us/
psdinfo/newsevents/iondex.aspx?newseventid=1
18 Colorado Department of Education, 2006 District
Ranking; Pupil Membership (high to low), http://www.
cde.state.co.us/cdereval/rv2006pmlinks.htm
19 Philip Vassalo, More Than Grades: How Choice Boosts
Parental Involvement and Benefits Children (Washington
D.C.: Cato Institute, October 26, 2000),
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-383es.html
20 Telephone conversation between Benigno and Bobby
Murphy, Executive Administrative Assistant to the
Director of Student Achievement Services, Thompson
School District, June 18, 2007.
 Copyright © 2007, Independence Institute
INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE is a non-
profit, non-partisan Colorado think tank. It is
governed by a statewide board of trustees
and holds a 501(c)(3) tax exemption from the
IRS. Its public policy research focuses on eco-
nomic growth, education reform, local gov-
ernment effectiveness, and Constitutional
rights.
JON CALDARA is President of the Inde-
pendence Institute.
DAVID KOPEL is Research Director of the
Independence Institute.
PAMELA BENIGNO is the Director of the
Education Policy Center at the Independence
Institute. She is the author of No Child Left
Behind Mandates School Choice: Colorado’s First
Year; Public K-12 Online Education: Stop the
Discrimination; Colorado Public School Open
Enrollment Policies: Not Very Open and the co-
author of Should Colorado School Districts
Page 18
Stop Collecting Political Funds? and Addressing
Safety Reporting Deficiencies on Colorado’s
School Accountability Report.
KIRSTIN HASLER is a Research Associate
for the Education Policy Center. She is the
co-author of the Issue Paper Addressing Safety
Reporting Deficiencies on Colorado's School Ac-
countability Report.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES can be found at:
http://www.IndependenceInstitute.org and
http://SchoolChoiceForKids.org
NOTHING WRITTEN here is to be construed
as necessarily representing the views of the
Independence Institute or as an attempt to
influence any election or legislative action.
PERMISSION TO REPRINT this paper in
whole or in part is hereby granted provided
full credit is given to the Independence Insti-
tute.
 Open Enrollment and the Internet:

An Evaluation of Colorado School District Web Sites

by Kirstin Hasler, Research Associate and

Pamela Benigno, Director, Education Policy Center
13952 Denver West Parkway • Suite 400 • Golden, Colorado 80401-3141
www.IndependenceInstitute.org • 303-279-6536 • 303-279-4176 fax IP-6-2007 • November 2007