NCLB

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NCLB PARENT CHOICE

• Presented by
• JohnErikaShirreccaKathieBarbara

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Parent Choice for NCLB (in theory)

• In the case of a school identified for school
  improvement, the school district will, not later
  than the first day of the school year following
  identification, provide all students enrolled in
  the school with the option to transfer to another
  public school served by the school district,
  which may be a public charter school, that has
  not been identified for school improvement,
  unless this option is prohibited by State law.
  Section 1116(b)(1)(E), ESEA.

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Parent Choice for NCLB (in theory)

• Priority must be given to the lowest-achieving
  children from low-income families in providing
  students the option to transfer to another public
  school. Section 1116(b)(1)(E)(ii), ESEA.

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Parent Choice for NCLB (in theory)

• If their children are in failing schools, they
  have the option to transfer their children to
  other district schools. If parents choose to
  transfer their children, the failing district
  must pay for the attendant transportation costs.

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What It Should Look Like Vs. What It Does Look
Like

• In theory
• Under No Child Left Behind, such schools must use
  their federal funds (Title I), to make needed
  improvements. In the event of a schools
  continued poor performance, parents have options
  to ensure that their children receive the
  high-quality education to which they are
  entitled.
• That might mean that children can transfer to
  higher-performing schools in the area or receive
  supplemental educational services in the
  community, such as tutoring, after-school
  programs or remedial classes.

• In reality
• That MIGHT mean that children can transfer to
  higher-performing schools in the area.
• Supplemental educational services are available
  as a second option after choice.

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Reasons its not working

• Parents arent informed of the choice in the
  first place
• There arent any alternatives in many districts
• Successful schools state no room and deny entry
• No mandate forcing schools to accept transfer as
  of now
• Lack of funding to assist in choice
• Low parent involvement to move child when option
  is there (finding out too late)
• The at risk child is harmed most by the move
  into an overcrowded room (high teacher/student
  ratio)

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Is this what we really need?
A. Russo would say, fix the schools the children
are ininstead of sending them elsewhere.
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Change the batting order!

• C. Finn and F. Hess suggest that the order of
  supplemental services and school choice should be
  reversed.
• If school misses AYP two years in a year, the
  children receive supplemental support and choice
  on the third year of failure.
• This supports what Russo said about fixing the
  schools first.

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The Struggles of Choice

• ACORN Association of Community Organizations for
  Reform Now
• NEA teamed up with ACORN to fight against the
  campaign to protect the integrity of public
  schools
• All Children Matter and LEAD are trying to
  influence politicians to keep school choice an
  option and improve the prospects for parents
• C. Bolick desires to keep choice and diminish
  the achievement gap

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Skimming the top

• J. Garrett terms the skimming theory
• Milwaukee defies this notion
• School choice is a market idea aimed at making
  schools better
• Disadvantaged students need greater access to
  better performing schools

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Johns slide
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How is this connected to this course?

• Explicit Messages
• Brofenbrenner model Macro belief of no child
  being left behind
• Government is saying parents have a choice to
  send elsewhere, but sometimes its the only
  school in the district or.
• Other schools in the district are also failing
• Anyons elite schools not accepting transfers
  based on capacity
• Supplemental Support will come next
• If you dont use the funds to improve, they will
  be taken away and given to other school

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How is this connected to this course?

• Implicit Messages
• Kendall would suggest there is a social problem
• Ogbu would say it perpetuates the caste system
• Rotherhams notion of a system of accounting but
  not accountability is clearly demonstrated
  implicitly.
• Mackey realizes that schools do not provide a
  real choice, rather an opportunity to transfer to
  other failing schools.
• Shrag it is a massive confusion, owing to the
  stapling together of state and federal
  accountability systems, and pretending we have
  one system.

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Administrative Implications

• Administrators need to provide clearer
  information to the parents on what their choices
  are if the district is failing.
• After all, it is the law of NCLB?

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Administrative Implications
The alternative to losing students and funding
is reforming the school. Work on fixing whats
wrong. What a concept!
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Administrative Implications
Administrators in performing schools are
required to accept transfers. Find creative ways
to accommodate the children. And this does not
mean put them in the closet!
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Administrative Implications
The best way to preserve and strengthen public
education is to make demonstrable, regular
progress in providing all students with at least
the basics in reading, writing and math--and then
be able to communicate that progress to those who
actually own your local schools parents, voters
and taxpayers Put your money where your mouth
is!
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Administrative Implications
Administrators need to be pro-active. Spend as
much time as possible playing offense, not just
hunkering down into a defensive posture. That
means, above all, developing in advance a
strategic plan for communicating with key
stakeholders in your community about school
performance. Your best defense is a good offense!
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Administrative Implications
Help parents and community members understand
how their schools are doing--and how they can
help. Help me, help you (Jerry MacGuire,
people)
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Action Recommendations based on Pros/Cons

• Pros
• Parent involvement is increased
• Public School choice increases equity and
  quality
• in education.
• Recommendation
• Educate the parents on the importance of getting
  involved.
• Inform parents early so they can make the choice.

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Action Recommendations based on Pros/Cons

• Cons
• The law makes it difficult for parents to make
  the choice to transfer.especially when there
  arent any other schools.
• Schools are turning away students claiming they
  are over capacity.
• Tutoring comes after choice and time is lost in
  this waiting period.
• Recommendation
• Avoid the choice and fix the current school.
• Mandate consequences for schools that turn
  children away.
• Start with the supplemental services first, and
  offer the choice thereafter.

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NCLB What does it really stand for?
New
Choices
Bull
Less