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.
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. For more information, contact Evelyn Deimel,
Accountability Division, 217-782-2948 or edeimel@isbe.net.
 Sample
Public School Choice Letter (Updated July 07)
If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact
Cheryl Bradley, Accountability Division, 217-782-2948 or
cbradley@isbe.net. |
