School choice will be open for parents at seven Title I schools from Feb. 13 to March 12

Contact: Laurie Hogan (336) 370-8307
Created: 1/13/2010 10:20:40 AM

The period for parents to request school choice transfers under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) will occur earlier this year for seven Title I schools. The Guilford County Board of Education approved Tuesday for school choice to open earlier at select schools so parents will have more time to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Parents with students at Allen Jay Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Hairston Middle, Oak Hill Elementary, Parkview Elementary, Peck Elementary and Union Hill Elementary will receive more information soon about their choice options under NCLB. Based on the current levels of sanctions under the federal law, these schools will be required to offer choice for the 2010-11 school year regardless of this year's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

Under NCLB, Title I schools must offer school choice after missing AYP in the same subject for two consecutive years. Historically in Guilford County Schools, parents have been informed of their choice options during the summer. By moving the timeline up and aligning the choice process with the magnet school application period, Feb. 13 to March 12, parents at the seven schools have the chance to weigh all of their options at once.

"Since the school choice period will be open at the same time as magnet applications, parents will be able to collect information and make informed decisions about where their child will attend school," said Beth Folger, chief academic officer. "These parents will have the option of applying to a magnet school, requesting a transfer to an approved receiving school through NCLB choice, or keeping their child at his or her assigned school."

Parents at the seven schools will receive a letter with more information about NCLB choice. In addition, the schools will hold town hall meetings so parents can talk to school leaders about their options.

The remaining Title I schools currently under NCLB sanctions will follow the district's traditional choice schedule and may offer choice to parents during the summer if they do not make AYP for the 2009-10 school year. Parents at those schools will receive notification of their options during the summer once AYP scores are released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

At the meeting Tuesday, the board also approved a list of receiving schools that will accept students who request transfers through NCLB choice. The schools were selected based on criteria including proximity, available capacity and transportation routing. Other Title I schools in improvement, Title I schools on the watch list and magnet schools cannot be selected as receiving schools.