Title:

16.  revisions to board policy JCA—assignment of students to schools

Requested Action:

Approve revisions to board policy JCA—assignment of students to schools, sub-title: student transfer policy.

Summary Explanation and Background:

In November 2004 the District was notified by the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights that it wished to review policies included in the District’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant application in order to determine whether certain policies and practices referenced in the MSAP application require or authorize the discriminatory use of race or ethnicity in approving student transfers.

The District was visited by representatives of the Atlanta division of the Office of Civil Rights on April 25-27, 2005.  At that time, interviews were conducted with School Choice staff members; former School Board Chair, Martha Barrett; current School Board Chair, Nancy Broner; Deputy Superintendent, Nancy Snyder; and, Superintendent John Fryer.  The findings were that although the District does not practice the discriminatory use of race or ethnicity in reviewing or approving student transfer requests, the current policy does indicate that race and ethnic diversity are considered in the transfer process.

Upon further review, it was determined that the Student Transfer Policy was outdated in other areas in addition to the language referencing race and ethnicity. Therefore, the Student Transfer Policy has been revised to include the following points:

1. removal of all references to race and ethnicity
2. clarification of criteria that must be considered in rescinding a transfer
3. clarification that siblings must reside at the same address to qualify for sibling preference
4. removal of the requirement to visit the current attendance area school in order to apply for a transfer
5. changing the location of transfer request submission from the school to the School Choice Office
6. assurance that the selection process is lottery-based
7. making transportation the responsibility of the parent
8. providing written notification of the lottery results to the parent, the sending school and the receiving school

These revised Student Transfer Policy reflects current practice.

New Century Commission Recommendation/OPPAGA Recommendation/Council of Great City Schools Recommendation:
N/A

Financial Impact:
N/A

For Additional Information, contact:
Sally Hague  390-2082