Public School Choice:
What is the purpose of the public school choice requirement in No Child Left Behind federal legislation of 2001?
The purpose of public school choice is to offer a student enrolled in a Title I school that is in need of improvement an opportunity to attend another school, even as his or her original school is undergoing improvement. The process of turning around a low-performing school typically takes time, and during that time that school’s students are at risk of falling further behind if they do not have additional options.
What information is the school district required to prominently display of its Web site?
- Beginning with data from the 2007-2008 school year, and for each subsequent school year, the number of students who were eligible for and who participated in the public school choice option.
- For the current year, a list of available schools to which students eligible to participate in public school choice may transfer.
School year 2007-2008: During the 2007-2008 school year, five (5) of the school district’s six (6) applicable Title I schools were required to offer school choice. The schools were: Alan Shawn Feinstein, Central Falls High School, Dr. Earl F. Calcutt Middle School, Ella Risk School, and Veterans Memorial School.
School year 2008-2009: During the 2008-2009 school year, five (5) of the school district’s six (6) applicable Title I schools were required to offer school choice. The schools were: Alan Shawn Feinstein, Central Falls High School, Dr. Earl F. Calcutt Middle School, Ella Risk School, and Veterans Memorial School.
School Year 2009-2010: During the 2009-2010 school year, a total of 1686 students from three (3) schools ( Central Falls High School, Veterans Memorial Elementary, and Ella Risk) were eligible for Supplemental Education Services (SES). Because of the limited amount of funds supporting the program, 362 students participated in the program. Because sufficient funds were not available to serve all eligible students, priority was given to the lowest-achieving eligible students.
School Year 2010-2011: For the current school year, two (2) of the district’s schools (Central Falls High School and Veterans Memorial Elementary School) are required to offer School CHOICE and SES and one (1) school (Ella Risk) is required to offer SES. After exploring options with districts in the surrounding communities, no out-of-district CHOICE options are available at this time.
What is the school district doing to assist students?
While it is not possible to transfer students to schools in the surrounding communities, all eligible students from Ella Risk School, Veterans Memorial School, and Central Falls High School will be offered free before and after school tutoring services.
Information regarding these services, Supplemental Educational Services (SES), and other before and after school programs will be forthcoming. A list of authorized SES providers is posted on this website for your review. Also, a direct link to the Rhode Island Department of Education’s listing of authorized SES providers is provided for you.
While some of our schools have been identified as “in need of improvement”, we want you to know that we are working hard to ensure that all students meet their academic goals.
We are developing a rigorous school improvement plan and teachers are being provided with high quality training and professional development.
A meeting with parents of students eligible to participate in public school choice will be forthcoming.
Procedures and timelines that parents must follow in selecting a school for their child, how transportation will be provided as well as other important elements relating to school choice will be discussed.
More information will be communicated to parents at parent meetings at the high school and the elementary school.
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