The U.S. Department of Education has released an interim report on the implementation of supplemental educational services (SES) and school choice during 2003-04 and 2004-05. Although participation in both options increased, only small proportions of eligible students took advantage of SES or school choice: 1% of the nearly 6.2 million eligible students participated in school choice and 17% of the 1.8 million students eligible for SES participated.

The report found insufficient communication with parents as a key contributor to low participation. A parent survey conducted within eight large urban districts found that only 27% of eligible parents had been notified of the school choice option and 53% knew that their child was eligible for SES. Also, the study found that earlier parent notifications resulted in higher participation rates.

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