Federal law requires school districts to offer families in schools that have been identified as Academically Unacceptable (AUS) 1 or higher the chance to transfer their children to other public schools in the same district. If your child’s school has been identified as a school in need of improvement you are allowed to choose to enroll him or her in another school. To help you understand how the School Choice Program works, here are some answers to questions you may have.
What does the phrase “school in need of improvement” mean and what are the reasons for the identification?
A school is identified as a “school in need of improvement” if it has earned a School Performance Score (SPS) below 60 at the end of the most recent accountability cycle or if it is a Title 1 school that has failed the subgroup component for two (2) consecutive years. The SPS is based upon results from iLEAP, LEAP/GEE21, attendance, and dropout rates (middle schools only) and graduation rates (high school only). Please CLICK HERE to see data from previous school years.
*No school for the 2010-2011 school year will have to offer School Choice.
What are the schools identified as AUS 1 or higher and the Ascension Parish School Board doing to address the problem of low achievement?
Ascension Parish School Board (APSB) will provide a lower pupil/teacher ratio and work with the school weekly in monitoring its success. APSB will provide Master and Mentor teachers to provide continuous staff development and classroom support for every teacher on a daily basis. Teacher coaches are available for content specific assistance in the effective delivery of teacher lessons and Title I personnel provide extra assistance to students daily. APSB will evaluate all areas of instruction. This evaluation will include observations, interviews and surveys of students, teachers, and parents to determine what areas need to be improved. The information obtained will be used to prepare a School Improvement Plan. These plans require classroom instruction and teacher training to focus on improving the areas in which students are having difficulty. The schools will analyze test scores and other data to target all areas of academic need. The schools will implement literacy strategies, tutorial programs and innovative math strategies. The State Department of Education will be sending assistance in the form of additional funding and technical assistance through the Regional Service Centers.
What can parents do to help their child’s school succeed and meet the accountability requirements?
No Child Left Behind supports parent involvement because research overwhelmingly shows the positive effect that parent involvement has on their children’s academic achievement. Parents are encouraged to arrange a private conference with their child’s teachers to discuss ways to improve academic performance. Parents may help their child’s school in a number of ways including attending parent-teacher meetings, volunteering to serve as needed, and encouraging other parents to become involved. Parents are also invited to participate as members of the School Improvement Team at the school. The School Improvement Team is a group made up of the principal, teachers and parents that work to improve the education and overall learning experience for all students.
Do I have to transfer my child to another school?
No. We are providing families with this opportunity as an option. The decision is entirely up to you, so you should base your decision on what you think is best for your child. If you choose to have your child remain at the present school as registered, all you have to do is make sure he or she attends the school on the first day of class. If you do choose to transfer your child to the new school, he or she must remain there for the full school year.
*No school for the 2010-2011 school year will have to offer School Choice.
How are receiving schools determined?
Students will be given a choice of designated schools that have an SPS of 75 or above, and have a capacity to receive additional students.
*No school for the 2010-2011 school year will have to offer School Choice.
Is my child guaranteed a place in an accepting school?
Every effort will be made to give parents their first choice if requesting a transfer. However, it is possible that your child may not be granted enrollment in your first school of choice. Students will be granted enrollment in the schools above based upon enrollment limits and individual achievement scores.
Will my child be eligible to participate in sports in the new school?
Your child will be immediately eligible to participate in varsity sports at the new school as per Louisiana High School Athletic Association guidelines stating that the transfer must be officially executed within the first 11 school days of the school year.
How will my child get to a receiving school?
Transportation will be provided as long as your child’s present school remains identified as a “school in need of improvement”.
What is the deadline for applying?
*No school for the 2010-2011 school year will have to offer School Choice.
If I decide to apply for a transfer, how can I get more information?
*No school for the 2010-2011 school year will have to offer School Choice.
If you have any more questions about the School Choice Program, please contact the principal at your school or the Ascension Parish School Board (225-473-7981).
