Smaller schools in mostly rural settings will not see too much from this.

Smaller schools on the outskirts of larger schools will see the effect.

My opinion is its a travesty to tie a kid to a school because of their zip code. The argument of "Well Texas schools already allow transfers from out of district" is a moot point because most schools don't accept kids from out of district, and in many cases schools will charge a tuition for "out of district" placements. And don't say it doesn't happen because I live 5 miles from a school that does this and is considered to be the best "small" school in the area. But they are *very* small.

With that said, I'd wish we could go to more of a European or Japanese style where after 8th grade kids are sent on either a technical school or college prep route. In Japan you're tested and sent on your track without a choice.

I'd like to see it be a tested placement, with the option to go on the college prep route if you so choose but you must maintain good grades and attendance.

At the end of a technical school you graduate with the certifications you need to begin a career in a skilled trade (think electrician, HVAC, plumber, etc) whereas college prep actually gets you ready for college.

All of this to say the following: When the parent is given the choice as to where to send their kid and the money travels with that kid, schools are going to be forced to do better. This won't affect most small schools because for the most part they are doing okay. It will, however, force some of the larger, under performing schools, to change the way they do things or else face massive budget shortfalls and takeover by the state.