2011-2012

School Choice

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM?

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires school divisions to identify for Title I School Improvement any elementary or secondary school served under Title I that, for two consecutive years, does not make adequate yearly progress (AYP) in the same subject area. These schools are designated as in "Year 1 Title I School Improvement Status" and must offer the public school choice option to parents. Title I schools that do not make AYP for three consecutive years in the same subject area must continue to offer public school choice and, additionally, provide supplemental educational services to eligible students. These schools are designated as in "Year 2 Title I School Improvement Status." The obligation to offer the public school choice option ends when schools have made AYP for two consecutive years in the same subject area in which they were identified for Title I School Improvement.  

Specifically, no later than the first day of the school year following Title I School Improvement identification, the school division must provide all students enrolled in a Title I School with the option to transfer to another public school served by the school division that has not been identified for Title I School Improvement.  In providing students the option to transfer to another public school, school divisions must give priority to the lowest achieving students from low-income families.

GUIDELINES

Virginia's Public School Choice Guidelines:

• The public school choice program shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age and must be consistent with applicable civil rights commitments.
  
• The school division is obligated to fund transportation for the student to attend the selected school.
  
• The obligation of the school division to provide, or to provide for, transportation for the student ends at the close of a school year, if the school division determines that the school from which the student transferred is no longer identified for Title I School Improvement or subject to corrective action or restructuring.
  
• A school division must permit a student who transferred to another school to remain in that school until the student has completed the highest grade in that school.
  
• If a school division demonstrates that it cannot provide choice to all students in low-performing schools, the school division must permit as many students as possible to transfer to a school not identified for Title I School Improvement, with priority given to the lowest performing students in the highest poverty schools.
  
• If all public schools served by the school division to which a student may transfer are identified for Title I School Improvement, corrective action or restructuring, the school division shall, to the extent practicable, establish a cooperative agreement with other school divisions in the area for transfer.

2011-2012 SCHOOL CHOICE

During the 2010-2011 school year, Livingston Elementary was in Year 1 of the Title 1 School Improvement and was required to offer public school choice.  Based on preliminary results, Livingston Elementary has made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) and will be in Year 1 Holding of Title 1 School Improvement.  Livingston Elementary will continue to offer public school choice for a second year.  Parents of Livingston Elementary students have the option of choosing from three other schools in the district with transportation provided.  A notification letter, along with an application form, was mailed on July 26, 2011, to parents/guardians of all Livingston Elementary students.  This notification letter outlined parent options and deadlines for participation in Public School Choice.

Livingston Elementary is hosting a parent meeting on August 9, 2011 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the Livingston Cafeteria.  At that time, staff will share additional information, answer questions, concerns and provide clarity on this issue. 

If you have questions, please contact Livingston Elementary School, 6057 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22551, phone number (540) 895-5101, or email tcagle@es.spotsylvania.k12.va.us

Letter to Parents of Livingston Students, Spanish Version

2011-2012 School Choice Transfer Request Form, Spanish Version

SOL Infomation about Receiving Schools

NOTE:  Parents may request a specific “choice” school, but the school division will make the final decision about school assignments.  (Factors governing those assignments will include current classroom enrollment, length of bus ride, etc.)