Innovation & Improvement
What is Public School Choice?
Under the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), if a Title I school does not make adequate yearly progress (AYP) for two years in a row, it is said to be “in need of improvement,” and it must offer parents public school choice. Such schools must continue to offer school choice each year until they make AYP for two years in a row. Implementing this NCLB requirement depends on the availability of other schools in the district that are making AYP and their capacity to add students to their enrollment.
If there are no qualifying schools in the district that can accept students, the district must try to make cooperating agreements with nearby districts that do have eligible schools. While a neighboring district is under no obligation to enter into a cooperative agreement, it may choose to, depending on a number of factors, including its enrollment capacity.
Important!
Each year the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has to report data to the U.S. Department of Education through the Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR) on implementation of Public School Choice. We need your help ensuring this data is complete and accurate. Please complete this short survey on public school choice and return it to us by November 15, 2011.
If you have schools in federal improvement status: please provide the requested information on the survey and return so that we may ensure complete information is being reported to the CSPR.
If you had no schools in federal improvement status: Please just mark N/A on the survey and return.
Surveys should be returned: via email to hlowery@isbe.net or send via fax to Heidi Lowery at 217-785-9031(FAX) by November 15, 2011.
Please contact the State Board of Education at 217-524-4832 if you have any questions prior to completing the survey. Your immediate attention is greatly appreciated and will assist ISBE with collecting accurate data for the CSPR. Thank you.
Early Notification to Parents Regarding Public School Choice
The Illinois State Board of Education encourages school districts with Title I schools in school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring that cannot exit status this year to notify parents about public school choice before the districts receive their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) determinations. School districts can implement Early Notification until the AYP Reports are released this summer, possibly in early June. Once AYP status is known, school districts are required to send an official Public School Choice letter 14 days prior to the start of school. The Early Notification letter and the required parent notification for Public School Choice must be reviewed and approved by ISBE prior to sending.
For additional information, contact Melina Wright, Innovation & Improvement Division, 217-524-4832 or mewright@isbe.net
(03/11)Overview of Public School Choice Webinar
Why is Public School Choice Important?
- To improve student learning and equity
- To decrease racial isolation and improve school integration
- To increase district budgets because of increasing student population and average daily attendance
- To increase parent support and involvement in schools
- To provide alternative types of learning environments that may better match children’s needs
- To encourage the creativity of educators
- To promote focused cohesive school programs
- To spur school improvement through competition
Announcements
Letters to parents regarding Public School Choice must be approved by the Illinois State Board of Education prior to dissemination. A sample letter is provided at the link below.
If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact Melina Wright, Innovation & Improvement Division, 217-524-4832 or mewright@isbe.net.
