School district of residence shall be defined as the school district in which a student s parents/guardians reside.[6]

Transcription

1 Book Section Title Policy Manual 2000 Students Admission and Enrollment of Students Code 2000 Status Active Purpose The Board of Trustees (Board) recognizes the importance of fair and equitable criteria for student admission and enrollment in the Charter School. The Board shall establish admission criteria and enroll eligible students in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations, Board policy, the Charter School application and the written Charter.[1][2][3] Definitions School age shall be defined as the period from the earliest admission age for the Charter School s program until graduation from high school or the end of the school term in which a student reaches the age of twenty one (21) years, whichever occurs first.[4][5] School district of residence shall be defined as the school district in which a student s parents/guardians reside.[6] Authority Sibling shall be defined as a child who is related to an existing enrolled Charter School student by blood, marriage or adoption and who lives in the same household. The Board recognizes that all resident children in Pennsylvania qualify to apply for admission to the Charter School.[3] The Charter School shall comply with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws and regulations, and shall not discriminate in its admission policies or practices on the basis of intellectual ability, athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, status as an individual with a disability, proficiency in the English language or any other 1/8

2 basis that would be illegal if used by a school district.[1][2][3][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] No achievement tests, entrance exams, or other means of testing a student s intellectual ability may be administered in order to determine eligibility for admission. Guidelines Admission Requirements A student is eligible for admission to the Charter School [1][3] when they have completed 5th grade. Application and Enrollment Period The Charter School shall annually establish an application and enrollment period, and all required forms to be submitted as part of the application process. The application and enrollment timeline, and all required forms and information, shall be published on the Charter School website and in the student handbook. Charter School staff shall provide assistance with the application and enrollment process upon request. Translation or interpretation of the application and enrollment forms and information shall be made available upon request of students or parents/guardians whose home language is other than English, or as required by the written Charter.[24] The Charter School application shall not request information regarding a child s status as an individual with a disability. Re Enrollment All students are automatically re enrolled until a Records Request from a new school is received. Enrollment Preference In accordance with law, the Charter School shall give preference in enrollment in the following order of priority:[3] 1. Returning students. 2. Students who reside in Pennsylvania. Students shall be enrolled based on the established enrollment preferences above until capacity for enrollment in the program, class, grade level or building has been reached. Enrollment Requirements 2/8

3 The Charter School shall normally enroll eligible school age students the next business day, but no later than five (5) business days after application, in accordance with law, regulations and Board policy.[6] The Charter School shall require the parent/guardian to provide the following information prior to the student s enrollment:[5][6] 1. Proof of the child s age. 2. Proof of immunizations required by law.[26] 3. Proof of residency. 4. Parental Registration Statement A sworn statement or affirmation attesting to whether the student has been or presently is suspended or expelled for offenses involving drugs, alcohol, or weapons; willful infliction of injury to another person; or any act of violence committed on school property. The registration statement must include the name of the school from which the student was expelled or suspended, and the dates of expulsion or suspension.[27] The Charter School shall not deny or delay a student s enrollment based upon information contained in the student s certified disciplinary record or Parental Registration Statement, but may provide alternative education services to students who have committed weapons offenses, in accordance with applicable law.[28] The Charter School may enter into an agreement with the student s school district of residence for providing an education for a student who has been suspended or expelled. Home Language Survey The Charter School shall administer a Home Language Survey to all students enrolling in the Charter School for the first time. Enrollment may not be delayed in order to administer the Home Language Survey.[6][24] Enrollment Records Upon enrollment, the Charter School shall contact a student s former school and request a certified copy of the student s education records and, if applicable, the student s discipline records. The Charter School shall not delay the enrollment of eligible students, regardless of receipt of records from the previous school(s).[20][29][30] In addition to the required enrollment information listed above, upon enrollment, the Charter School shall request the following information: 1. Health or physical examination records.[31] 2. Academic records.[30] 3. Attendance records. 3/8

4 4. Individualized Education Program and other special education records.[20][29][32] [33] 5. Charter School enrollment form. The Charter School shall not delay the enrollment of eligible students until these documents are provided. Charter School staff shall not request or require any of the following for enrollment: 1. A social security number. 2. The reason for the child s placement if not living with natural parents. 3. The child s or parent s/guardian s visa. 4. Agency records. 5. A court order or records relating to a dependency proceeding unless the parent/guardian enrolling a student is relying on a court order or custody agreement as the basis for enrollment, then the Charter School may require submission of the court order or custody agreement. Homeless Students The Charter School shall immediately enroll identified homeless students even if the student or parent/guardian is unable to produce the required documents, in accordance with Board policy and applicable law and regulations.[34] Immigration Status The Charter School shall not inquire as to the immigration status of a student as part of the enrollment process. A child s right to be admitted may not be conditioned on the child s immigration status.[6] Tuition The Charter School shall not charge tuition for a resident or nonresident student attending the Charter School.[3][35] School District of Residence Notification The Charter School shall provide a student s school district of residence with the required Charter School Student Enrollment Notification Form within fifteen (15) days of the student s enrollment in the Charter School. The Charter School shall also notify a student s school district of residence within fifteen (15) days of a student s withdrawal from the Charter School.[35][36][37] [The PDE Charter School Student Enrollment Notification Form is included as an attachment to this policy.] 4/8

5 Cyber Charter Enrollment Requirements The Charter School shall report to the Pennsylvania Department of Education an increase or a decrease of thirty percent (30%) or more in its anticipated enrollment set forth in the Charter School application.[38][39] Upon request and prior to the student s first day of attendance, the Charter School shall provide the following to the parent/guardian of an enrolled student: 1. A list and brief description of the courses of instruction the student will receive. The list shall be updated annually for each grade level in which the student is enrolled. 2. A description of the lessons and activities to be offered both online and offline. 3. The manner in which attendance will be reported and work will be authenticated. 4. A list of all standardized tests the student will be required to take during the school year, and the place where the test will be administered, if available. 5. The meetings to be held during the school year between the parent/guardian and teacher or other school officials, and the manner in which the parent/guardian will be notified of the time and place for meetings. 6. The address of the Charter School and the name, telephone number and address of the Charter School administrator. 7. A list of any extracurricular activities provided by the Charter School. 8. The names of the student s teachers, if available, and the manner in which each teacher can be contacted. 9. A list of all services that will be provided to the student by the Charter School. 10. Copies of Charter School policies relating to computer security and privacy, truancy, absences, discipline and withdrawal or expulsion of students.[37][40][41] [42][43] 11. Information on the Charter School s professional staff, including the number of staff, their education level and experience. 12. Information on the Charter School s performance on state assessments and other standardized test scores. 13. Information regarding the proper use of equipment and materials, and the process for returning equipment and materials supplied to the student by the Charter School; parents/guardians shall be required to acknowledge receipt of this information. 5/8

6 14. A description of the school calendar, including but not limited to the timeframe that constitutes a school year and school week, holidays and breaks. The Charter School shall provide the following to each enrolled student:[38] 1. All instructional materials. 2. All equipment, including but not limited to a computer. 3. Provision or reimbursement of all technology and services necessary for the online delivery of the curriculum and instruction. Delegation of Responsibility The Chief Executive Officer or designee shall establish administrative procedures to implement this policy and provide direction for the admissions, enrollment and lottery processes. The Chief Executive Officer or designee shall annually notify students, parents/guardians, staff and the community about the Charter School s policy on student admissions and enrollment by publishing such policy on the Charter School website and in the student handbook. [44] Legal PA Code P.S A P.S A PA Code P.S PA Code U.S.C et seq PA Code PA Code PA Code P.S P.S P.S U.S.C U.S.C et seq U.S.C. 2000d et seq P.S. 951 et seq 18. Pol Pol /8

7 19. Pol Pol PA Code PA Code PA Code Pol Pol Pol P.S A P.S Pol Pol Pol PA Code PA Code Pol P.S A P.S A 37. Pol P.S A P.S A 40. Pol Pol Pol Pol PA Code P.S A 28 CFR Part CFR Part CFR Part CFR Part CFR Part CFR Part 110 Basic Education Circular January 22, 2009: Enrollment of Students Basic Education Circular October 1, 2004: Charter Schools 7/8

8 Pol Attach.doc (118 KB) Last Modified by Lisa Iozzi on January 16, /8