A part-time enrollment policy allows students to enroll in public schools for one or more courses. But who can enroll part-time, for what type of instruction, and for how much time varies widely from state to state.  ExcelinEd reviewed part-time enrollment policy in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. In this analysis we focus on 12 states with statutes that explicitly address part-time enrollment. Here are some questions we asked:

1. Do states address part-time enrollment explicitly? All 12 states in this analysis do, but their policies widely vary.
2. Do states mandate districts offer part-time enrollment? Eight of the 12 states in this analysis do.
3. Do states explicitly leave some discretion to districts? Nine states in the analysis address and create varying degrees of district discretion.
4. Do states treat part-time enrollment as a student right? Seven states have strongly worded provisions that qualify part-enrollment as something to which certain students are entitled.
5. Do states allow access to core academic courses, extracurricular activities, or both? Six of the 12 states allow access to both core classes and extracurricular programs, four more states allow access to one or the other, and two states do not specify in statute the courses and programs to which students have access.
6. Is part-time enrollment available to homeschool students, private school students, or students who attend other public schools like charters? Here four states allow access to only homeschool students, four states only allow access to private school students, and four states allow both homeschool and private school students access.
7. Are students funded proportionally or with a flat rate? While not every state statute is explicit on this topic, some states have chosen to fund students based on the amount of time they are enrolled in the public school. At least two states fund students with a flat rate.

A few states provide every student access to part-time enrollment. For example, Alaska does not restrict the number of courses a non-public student may enroll in nor does the state restrict students to core or non-core academic courses. Alaska homeschool students could join the local marching band or take AP Chemistry from a qualified teacher. The variety and range of possibilities for Alaska students is a huge advantage. Families are looking for the best educational fit for their children, and that might mean more than one school in more than one setting.

States should consider paying attention to part-time enrollment. Not all students are coming back after the pandemic, and a number of families have found aspects of homeschooling enjoyable. These families don’t necessarily hate public schools, but they do love being in the driver’s seat. And part-time enrollment can help public schools rebuild trust.

Part-time enrollment is already happening in many states, but the availability of this option is uneven. And that might be due to a lack of information. It might also be that some districts provide this option more frequently than others. State policymakers can play an active role by highlighting successful part-time enrollment policies and by encouraging local school leaders to create new opportunities.

We hope leaders, advocates and families will read this policy brief and start to ask serious questions about part-time enrollment in their states and districts.