[REVISION HISTORY]

Chile school admission reform moves forward

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-26 02:26 UTC → 2026-08-27 21:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In early July 2026, the Chilean government announced a reform of the Sistema de Admisión Escolar (SAE) to shift secondary-school placement from random assignment toward merit-based selection. The Chamber of Deputies approved the bill on 5 August with a 111-28-1 vote. The legislation creates a “mutual choice” system where high-demand schools can set transparent priority criteria, such as sibling attendance, alignment with the school’s educational project, specific aptitudes, or being a child of staff or alumni. It requires a single online application platform, bans fees and socioeconomic data collection, and emphasizes transparency, inclusion, equity, and non-discrimination. Education Minister María Paz Arzola stated the changes aim to restore confidence and recognize effort, noting the current system has been in place for ten years and requires updating. The Senate placed the reform on its agenda for a second constitutional reading on 5 August to deliberate on the priority-criteria framework. Parallel to the legislative process, the main application period for the 2027 School Admission System (SAE) is currently underway, covering municipal, public education service (SLEP), delegated administration, and subsidized private schools. Authorities have emphasized that the system does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis, encouraging families to select multiple preferences. As of 22 26 August, ~~authorities in~~ the ~~Atacama and Tarapacá regions are urging families to complete their applications for the 2027~~ SAE ~~before~~ is entering the ~~deadline~~ final stage of its main application period, which closes on Thursday, 27 ~~August~~ August, at 14:00 hours. While students currently enrolled in a school do not need to reapply to remain in the same institution, new applications are mandatory for those changing schools, moving to a different educational level not offered by their current school, or transitioning from private to state-funded institutions. Results for the main application period are expected to be released between 15 and 21 October. ~~Additionally, Carabineros has modified entry requirements for its training schools, now allowing applicants aged 17 to 30, provided they have completed high school and passed the PAES.~~

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