Students who move schools have right to immediate enrollment, Los Angeles County presenters say

Two staff members in a Los Angeles County recorded briefing said students who change schools have a right to immediate enrollment and, if they choose, to remain at their school of origin.

Speaker 1, a staff member, said, "...you have the right to your school of origin." The presenter said that if remaining at that school is not the right choice, families should consider other options.

Speaker 2, a staff member, told listeners, "You have a right to walk into your local school and get enrolled. You don't need paperwork. You don't have to come to school another day just because the person who usually does enrollment is not there." The speaker emphasized that students should not be forced into an alternative setting because of timing or credit issues: "You don't have to go to an alternative school like a continuation school because it is the middle of the school year or because you have credits to make up or even because everyone where you live goes to a certain school."

The presenters advised families to seek help if a school refuses enrollment. "If a school tells you you cannot enroll, call your education rights holder, your attorney, and your social worker," Speaker 2 said, adding that a flyer on immediate enrollment explains the right to a full education and that students should not have to wait. The recording concluded by directing listeners to additional links for more information.

The remarks in the recording present practical steps parents, guardians and students can take when transferring schools: assert the right to immediate enrollment at the local school, consider staying at the school of origin if that is preferred, and contact an education rights holder, attorney or social worker if enrollment is denied. No specific statutes, policies or enforcement mechanisms were cited in the recording.