School Choice Handbook

For the 2004-2005 transfer cycle

The Enrollment and Transfer Center

James R. Scherzinger, Superintendent Dr. Maxine Kilcrease, Assistant to the Superintendent

Chet Edwards, Director of Educational Options Judy Dauchy, Enrollment and Transfer Center Administrator

Enrollment and Transfer Center Blanchard Education Services Center

501 N. Dixon Portland, OR 97227

Phone: 503-916-3205 Fax: 503-916-3699

Table of Contents

Letter from the Enrollment and Transfer Center Page 3 Highlights of the New Student Transfer Policy Page 4 Frequently Asked Questions Page 6 I. School Choices Page 7 The Neighborhood School The Transfer School or Program II. The Student Transfer Process Page 9 III. Student Assignment Process Page 13 Lottery Wait list Notification of student placement Special education English as a Second Language Non-resident students IV. Extraordinary Circumstances Page 16 Petition transfer process Appeals V. No Child Left Behind Act Page 18 VI. Transportation Page 18 VII. Families Who Move Page 19 VIII. More Frequently Asked Questions Page 20 IX. About the Student Enrollment and Transfer Policy Page 21 Flow Chart: Steps to Request a Student Transfer Page 22 Glossary Page 23

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Dear Families, This is the School Choice Handbook, which provides detailed information about the District’s new Student Enroll-ment and Transfer policy. It is a valuable resource for families who are considering a change in their student’s school for next year – either transferring out of their neighborhood school or returning to their neighborhood school after at-tending a transfer school. The goal of the new Student Enrollment and Transfer policy is to provide all families equal access to District schools through a fair process that is consistent and easy to understand. If you have been involved in the student transfer proc-ess in the past, you will notice major changes and I hope you will be pleased. Large, diverse groups of educators and parents and guardians have been working hard to develop a process that works for you. For more information on how the new Student Enrollment and Transfer policy was researched and developed, please refer to Section IX. The purpose of the School Choice Handbook is to have one reliable source of information to explain the new student enrollment and transfer process, and to walk you through the steps of requesting a student transfer. These are the most important changes, discussed in detail in this handbook:

• The student transfer cycle has one application deadline for students who will attend high school -- Febru-ary 13, 2004, and one deadline for students who will attend elementary and middle school -- March 19, 2004.

• Transfer students wishing to return to their neighborhood school for the next school year must submit the new School Choice Form by the student transfer deadline.

• Transfers are approved to the highest grade of the school or program and not to the next feeder school. However, policy allows current 5th and 8th grade students for this year only (2004-5) to continue in their transfer feeder pattern school if they wish, but they must submit School Choice Form by the deadline.

• Students are expected to remain in their enrolled school for the entire school year. As you consider all of your options, I strongly encourage you to first visit your neighborhood school. The heart of our District lies in our neighborhood schools and in the communities that support their schools. Visit your school – attend a cultural program, a PTA meeting or ask the principal for a tour before requesting a transfer to another school. The staff at the Enrollment and Transfer Center (ETC) are available from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm to answer your ques-tions and provide you with information about District schools and programs and the student transfer process. Staff as-sist families and school staff with general enrollment and student placement through school choice transfers, inter-district transfers, alternative education, and guardianship issues. Our phone number is 503 916-3205 or 503 916-3242. We are located on the first floor of the Blanchard Education Service Center (BESC) Building 501 North Dixon, in the NW corner of the main floor. The new transfer policy and process outlined in this handbook will begin in the 2004-2005 school year. If you plan to request a transfer for your student for the 2004-2005 school year, you must submit a School Choice Form by the deadline (February 13, 2004 for high school students, and March 19, 2004 for elementary and middle school students). Best wishes for a great school year, Judy Dauchy

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Translation Needs Translated forms are available for Spanish, Vietnamese, Can-tonese, and Russian on the Web-site or they can be requested by mail through the translation phone lines listed below: Spanish 503-535-2923 Cantonese 503-535-2922 Russian 503-535-2925 Vietnamese 503-535-2928

New Policy begins with transfers for the 2004-2005 school year

Highlights of the NEW Student Transfer policy These changes begin with the 2004-2005 transfer cycle. The changes are discussed in more detail in later sec-tions. NEW! Only one student transfer cycle with enforced deadlines No applications for transfer will be accepted after the deadline. January 13, 2004 Celebrate! Portland Public Schools; transfer cycle begins February 13 2004 Application deadline for high school students in the 2004-2005 school year March 19, 2004 Application deadline for elementary and middle school students in the 2004-2005 school year

NEW! School Choice Form The School Choice Form is a form in which students request a change in their school choice for the next year. All School Choice Forms must be submitted to the Enrollment and Transfer Center and not the school. A principal’s signature is not required. School Choice Forms are considered only if submitted by the deadline, and will not be considered after the deadline. Paper applications are available at schools and the ETC or School Choice Forms can be submitted online by going to: www.schoolchoice.pps.k12.or.us. Pa-per and online forms will be available beginning January 14, 2004. NEW! A school-year commitment to the enrolled school Families and schools commit to students remaining in their enrolled school for the entire school year. Mid-year transfers will not be ac-cepted. New! Length of transfer One of the major changes in the policy requires that student transfers are approved for a school -- to the highest grade of the school or program. For instance, if a student is assigned to a transfer school in kindergarten, the student may remain in that school until 5th grade. This means that if the student wants to remain in the same transfer feeder pattern, an application for transfer must be completed (and the student must then be drawn from the lottery). This is because when a student moves to the next level, such as middle school, that student is automatically assigned to his or her neighborhood school. This change allows more students greater access in later grades and encourages more thoughtful decisions by families during important educational transitions. For transfer students in K-8/K-12 schools, the same policy rule applies: They may remain in the school to the highest grade (in this case 8th or 12th grade).

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Read the new Student Enrollment and Transfer Policy (4.10.051-P) and Administrative Directives including 4.10.054, 4.10.055, 4.10.056, and 4.10.070) by logging on to the PPS Web site www.pps.k12.or.us and click-ing Board of Education or by calling the Communication Department at 503-916-3304.

Families can access computers at:

Library branches

District’s ETC 501 N. Dixon 503.916.3205

Kelly Welcome Center 9030 SE Cooper 503.916.5729

Kenton Welcome Center 6941 N. Fenwick 503.916.5875

NEW! Lottery and wait list for student assignment process The central and computerized lottery, conducted by the Enrollment and Transfer Center, as-signs transfer and returning students to schools and programs. NEW! No reason required for student transfers There is no need to state a reason for requesting a transfer. Students have the right to request a transfer to any school or program. NEW! Focus options and admission criteria There are no admission criteria for elementary-level focus options1 , and objective criteria (if any) at middle and high school focus options. New! Extraordinary circumstances A petition transfer is required for any student who requests a transfer after the student trans-fer deadline (February 13, 2004 – high school; March 19, 2004 – elementary and middle school) and will be considered only in extraordinary circumstances. In most cases, before a student may request a petition transfer, the student and the school the student is currently attending must first develop a school-year commitment plan to encourage the student to re-main in the school and identify issues that school staff can address (see Section IV for a list of situations in which the plan will be waived). If the family still wishes to transfer, they may file a petition transfer identifying extraordinary circumstances (urgent family situations or situations that pose imminent health, safety, or serious educational concerns for the stu-dent). Documentation will be required.

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1Except for dual language immersion programs and late entry to language immersions.

For this year only: Currently enrolled 5th and 8th grade transfer students may continue to the next school (elementary to middle, middle to high school) in their transfer feeder pattern for the 2004-2005 school year by sub-mitting School Choice Form by the deadline. The Student Enroll-ment and Transfer policy allows this transition for 5th and 8th grade transfer students in the 2003-2004 school year only. After this year, 5th and 8th graders will automatically be assigned to their neighbor-hood school unless they request a transfer and are drawn from the lottery.

Below are some frequently asked questions about student transfers. Q. Who can transfer to another school? A. Any PPS student can request a transfer to a school other than his/her neighborhood school by following the steps for the student assignment process outlined in this handbook. Q. Why would a student want to transfer to another school? A. Most students choose to go to their neighborhood school. However, some families find that another school may be more suitable or convenient. For instance, a transfer school may have a specific program of interest or is near the child’s after school caregiver’s home. Q. Who should read this handbook? A. Any family who is considering a change in schools for the next year, families new to the District, and families whose children are currently attending a transfer school should read this handbook. Q. How can I learn about the options available for my student? A. Visiting your neighborhood school and other schools near your home is a great way to learn about educational options for your student. The school catalog also is a good way to read about the options available to PPS families. It includes descriptions of schools and programs, as well as other District resources and will be available in schools. You may also wish to attend Celebrate! Portland Public Schools, January 13 at the Coliseum, where schools and programs present information and school staff and parents are available for questions. Finally, you can browse our new upgraded Website at www.schoolchoice.pps.k12.or.us.

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I. School Choices The Neighborhood School All PPS students have the right and opportunity to attend their neighborhood school based on where they reside with their family. Neighborhood schools have a variety of innovative programs, thematic teaching approaches, and extracurricular activities. Portland Public Schools use a “feeder pattern” system where neighborhood students move from a neighborhood elementary school to the feeder pattern’s middle school and then to its high school. The best way to gain information about your neighborhood elementary, middle and high school is by visiting and touring the schools. How to register at your neighborhood school

New students to Portland Public Schools may register at their neighborhood school. Proof of residence and evidence of immunizations are required to register. You may pre-register your five year old for kindergarten at your neighborhood elementary school. Some schools offer pre-kindergarten pro-grams for four year olds. Kindergarten All Portland Public Elementary Schools offer half-day kindergarten pro-grams. Some schools give families the option of paying a fee for the second half of the day, so children can attend a full day of kindergarten. All families requesting a fee-based full-day of kindergarten option must go to the school and sign a Fee For Service Kindergarten Application before March 19

(student transfer deadline). This includes both neighborhood and transfer students. Schools with Early Childhood Education Centers and a handful of neighbor-hood schools offer full-day programs for free. For more information, contact your neighborhood school or the Enrollment and Transfer Center (503-916-3205) or refer to the school choice catalog. Returning to your neighborhood school

• Transfer students in the 5th and 8th grades are automatically assigned to their neighborhood school for 6th and 9th grade unless families submit a School Choice Form (by the dead-line) for a transfer and are drawn from the lottery. For the 2004-05 school year only, transfer students will be placed in their transfer feeder pattern if requested through a School Choice Form.

• Transfer students can return to their neighborhood school the following year by submitting a School Choice Form by the deadline. This is a new requirement for families which allows school staff to better plan for the coming year.

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Remember to contact your new school for enrollment and registration informa-tion. Information about registration requirements are listed in the school catalog.

Confirm your neighborhood school by log-ging on to the PPS Web site www.pps.k12.or.us and clicking the Schools link or by calling the Communi-cation Depart-ment at 503-916-3304.

The Transfer School or Program A transfer is a formal request by a District family for a student to attend a school other than his/her neighborhood school or when the family wishes to return to his/her neighborhood school. Portland Public School students may request a transfer to any District school or pro-gram by submitting a School Choice Form by the deadline. No reason for the transfer is re-quired. Some focus options and fee-based full-day kindergarten programs may require that families take additional steps before requesting their program or school. This information will be included on the School Choice Form. The centralized lottery randomly assigns students to requested schools based on prefer-ences, space availability, and diversity factors. Diversity factors include socio-economic level (qualifying for the Free and Reduced Lunch program) and gender. As noted above, if a transfer student is requesting to return to his/her neighborhood school, the lottery will pre-approve this placement when a student submits a School Choice Form. The District strongly encourages all families who are considering a transfer to first visit their neighborhood schools. Since the District does not generally provide transportation, families should consider the logistics of transportation to and from transfer schools. Transfers are approved to the highest grade of a school For example, 6th grade transfer students may remain in their transfer middle school through 8th grade. In 8th grade, if students want to continue to their transfer “feeder” high school, not their neighborhood high school, they must request a transfer by submitting School Choice Form by the deadline. A student enrolled in a K-8 school may remain in the school until the 8th grade. If the student does not submit a School Choice Form in the 8th grade for the 9th grade year, the Enrollment and Transfer Center will automatically assign the student to his/her neighborhood high school. This new policy allows more spaces for families requesting a transfer to middle and high schools and encourages more thoughtful decisions by families during important educational transitions. Students in continuing programs such as language immersion programs, must also submit School Choice Forms when chang-ing schools but remaining in the program. In doing so, the stu-dent will be pre-approved or guaranteed a space. This confirms that the student wishes to continue in the program to the next grade grouping.

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For this year only Please note that for the 2003-2004 school year only, 5th and 8th grade transfer students may continue to the next school (elementary to middle, middle to high school) in their transfer feeder pattern for the 2004-2005 school year, by submit-ting a School Choice Form by the deadline. Student Enroll-ment and Transfer policy al-lows this transition for 5th and 8th grade transfer students in the 2003-2004 school year only.

II. The Student Transfer Process – Two Steps

Under the new policy students are expected to stay in their enrolled school for the entire school year. And families and schools are expected to make a school year commitment to one another. This reduces the disruption of stu-dents moving in and out of schools and encourages more curriculum continuity for students. There are very limited exceptions to the policy for students in extraordinary circumstances. Step 1. FILL OUT A SCHOOL CHOICE FORM School Choice Forms must be submitted by the deadline to be considered Students transi-tioning to kindergarten, middle and high school are automatically placed in their neighborhood school unless they submit a School Choice Form to request a transfer. Students who submit School Choice Forms by the deadline are either pre-approved for enrollment or considered for the lottery. What does pre-approved for enrollment mean? Pre-approved means the student will be placed in the requested school following the completion of the required School Choice Form by the deadline.

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The new School Choice Form is an easy form to complete and is available online by going to www.schoolchoice.pps.k12.or.us. Paper applications are avail-able at schools and the ETC. Library branches, the ETC, and PPS Welcome Centers have computer and online access for families without computers.

Examples of pre-approved for enrollment

1. Families of students wishing to return to their neighborhood school from a transfer school.

2. Families of current 5th and 8th grade stu-dents enrolled in continuing programs, such as language immersion programs, who wish to continue to the next level (middle or high school) of the program.

3. Families of students who wish to use the one-year al lowance in 2004-05 granting current 5th and 8th grade students a space in their transfer feeder pattern for 6th and 9th grade.

What does “considered for the lottery” mean? “Considered for the lottery” means students are not guaranteed a space in a requested school or program and are randomly drawn from the lottery based on space available, preferences and diver-sity factors.

Examples of “considered for the lottery” 1. Families of students requesting a transfer to a school or program that is not their

neighborhood school. In addition to families already enrolled in District schools, this also includes pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, private and home schooled students, students new to the District and interdistrict students.

2. Families of students requesting a transfer to a focus option. These families may also be required to sign a statement of understanding about the program and/or attend an information meeting. Requirements are listed on the School Choice Form.

Who does NOT need to fill out a School Choice Form?

1. Students who will enroll in their neighborhood school for the first time. 2. Students who will continue in their neighborhood middle or high school. 3. Students who are currently enrolled in a transfer school and wish to continue to the

next grade in that school. Families only need to submit a School Choice Form when the child has completed the highest grade of the school.

4. Students already enrolled in K-8 or K-12 school (such as Winterhaven or MLC) may remain in the highest grade of their school and do not have to submit a School Choice Form at 5th and 8th grades.

More information about School Choice Forms

• There are three separate School Choice Forms: one for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, one for students entering grades 1-8, and one for students entering high school.

• Forms will be processed only if complete and submitted on time. • Families may list up to three school choices in order of preference. • A principal’s signature is no longer required. • Families may easily obtain and submit School Choice Forms online by going to

www.schoolchoice.pps.k12.or.us. Paper applications are available at schools and the ETC.

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Step 2. SUBMIT THE SCHOOL CHOICE FORM School Choice Forms may be submitted online, in person, or by U.S. mail by the deadline to the Enrollment and Transfer Center (ETC). • There is one transfer deadline for high schools and one transfer deadline for elementary and middle schools. February 13, 2004 Application deadline for high school students in 2004-05 March 19, 2004 Application deadline for elementary and middle school

students in 2004-05 • School Choice Forms received at the ETC after the deadline will not be considered – postmarks do not count. This includes situations in which students have changed their minds about schools after submitting the form. • Forms submitted via FAX will not be accepted. • Note: If one or more school choices is a focus option, families may need to attend an

information meeting and sign a letter of understanding before the student transfer deadline.

• All families requesting a fee-based full-day kindergarten option must go to the school and sign a Fee For Service Kindergarten Application before March 19 (student transfer deadline). This includes both neighborhood and transfer students.

• School Choice Forms will not be available after the deadline. For families submitting School Choice Forms online:

• The online process will provide a confirmation of receipt. • School Choice Forms submitted online must be received by 5:00 pm of the deadline

date. For families sending their School Choice Forms by U.S. Mail:

• Hard copy forms should be sent to the Enrollment and Transfer Center, P.O. Box 3107, Portland, OR 97208-3107. Forms postmarked by the deadline, but not re-ceived by the ETC, are not accepted. Pre-addressed envelopes will be available in schools.

For families delivering their School Choice Forms in person:

• Drop forms off at the Enrollment and Transfer Center, Blanchard Education Center, 501 N. Dixon, Portland, OR 97227 by 5:00 pm of the deadline date. The ETC is located in the Northwest section of the building on the main floor.

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• Requesting a transfer to a focus option

• What is a focus option? A focus option (formerly magnet, special focus, designated spe-cial programs) is a school or program structured around a unique curriculum or particular theme. There are no admission criteria for elementary-level focus options.5 Middle and high school level focus options may have objective admission criteria that are directly re-lated to the program. Admission criteria must be the same for neighborhood and transfer students.

• What are the steps to requesting a transfer to a focus option?

1. Families must first submit a School Choice Form by the deadline. The deadline is the same for all schools and programs: February 13 for high school applications and March 19 for elementary and middle school applications.

2. Focus options may require families to attend a scheduled information meeting and/or sign a statement of understanding about the program in order to be considered for the lottery. Requirements are listed on the back of the School Choice Form. Meeting schedules can be obtained at the focus option, the ETC, Celebrate! Portland Public Schools (January 13), and the PPS Web site

(www. pps.k12.or.us).

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Qualifying for Free and Reduced Lunch may af-fect your odds of getting into a requested school. (See the explanation of the lottery under Section III). Forms are available at schools or online at the District’s web site: www.pps.k12.or.us/nutrition services

5Except for dual language immersion pro-grams and late entry to language immer-sions.

III. Student Assignment Process The student assignment process has been centralized and streamlined to make it more equitable and consistent for all families who are applying for transfer.

Lottery The centralized lottery is managed by the Enrollment and Transfer Center (ETC). The random, computerized lottery assigns transfer students to a pre-determined number of available spaces in requested schools and programs based on School Choice Form submissions. The lottery is used for students applying for transfer from focus options and neighborhood schools. What you should know about the lottery:

• The lottery pre-approves students wishing to return to their neighborhood school from a transfer school with School Choice Form submitted by the deadline.

• The lottery gives preference to: Students qualifying for priority placement under the No Child Left Behind Act

(NCLB), Co-enrolled siblings (if room is still available) for elementary and middle school

students only. Students whose siblings will be enrolled at the same time in their first choice school during the upcoming school year will receive preference in the lottery.

• The lottery gives “weight” for diversity factors: • Income level, based on qualifying for the Free and Reduced Lunch pro gram

(forms available at school and on-line at www.pps.k12.or.us/nutrition services). • Gender

A diversity factor is not a preference and does not guarantee admission. Diversity factors are only applied when there is a lack of income level diversity or gender diversity at a school or program.

• Linked siblings. Families may request that siblings be “linked” for admission purposes. Families with more than one child requesting a transfer to the same school for the same school year can indicate this on the School Choice Form. This allows all or none of the siblings to be enrolled in the same transfer school. Linked siblings are different from co-enrolled siblings, which allow a sibling preference if one sibling is already attending the school.

Wait list

The lottery generates a wait list for any school and program that has more applicants than spaces. The ETC maintains the wait list and notifies families when their child’s name has been drawn.

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What you should know about the wait list:

• The wait list will be limited to a designated number of transfer students determined by the ETC based on a realistic assessment of potential available spaces. Because of this limited number, some students may not be wait-listed for a requested school. There is a possibility that a student may not be drawn from the lottery or wait listed to any of their requested schools. If that is the case, the student is assigned to his or her currently enrolled school or neighborhood school (if transitioning to kindergarten, middle or high school).

• Students cannot be assigned to a school by the lottery and remain on a wait list. This allows the ETC to increase the number of students assigned to a school before the start of the school year.

• Students who are assigned to a second or third choice school or program and prefer to remain on the wait list of the higher choice school must notify the ETC within ten school days of receiving their notification letter (the letter will indicate the exact date) by submitting a form included in the letter. By do-ing so, that student will forfeit his or her space in the assigned school. Wait lists remain active until the tenth day after the first day of school. After that date, wait lists become inactive for all schools and programs.

• Families may not reapply for other schools if they are not as-signed to a requested school this year.

• The wait list does not roll over to the next school year. Notification of student placement The ETC will send families a letter with the results of the student lottery approximately six weeks after the student transfer deadline. There is a possibility that a student may not be drawn from the lottery or wait listed to any of their requested schools. If that is the case, the student is assigned to his or her currently enrolled school or neighborhood school (if transitioning to Kindergarten, mid-dle school or high school). Unfortunately, due to the volume of calls received in the past, the ETC will be unable to update families on the status of their wait listed student. For students with ap-proved transfers, families must contact the transfer school for enrollment information. The 10 day rule Once families receive their school assignment notification letter, they will have ten days to with-draw their transfer request and return to their currently enrolled school or their neighborhood school if transitioning to middle or high school for the following year. To do so, families must sub-mit the form included in the notification letter to the Enrollment and Transfer Center within ten days (the exact date will be specified in the notification letter).

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Please note: On the first day of school, all stu-dents on wait lists whose names are not drawn from the lottery must at-tend the school in which they were enrolled in during the last school year, NOT the wait listed schools. Students on wait lists whose names are not drawn and who are entering kindergarten, 6th or 9th grade must at-tend their neighborhood

Special Education When determining whether a student will be granted an intra-District or inter-District transfer, District staff shall not discriminate against special education and Section 504 students. Special education and Section 504 students must follow the established process for student transfers as described in this handbook. In addition: 1. In most cases, special education students receiving resource special education services

and/or speech and language services, and Section 504 students shall be treated the same as any general education student with respect to transfer requests.

2. For special education students who have been placed by the District in structured learning centers, special schools or private schools, the student’s individualized education program (IEP) team must determine whether the student may transfer to the special education program at the requested school.

English as Second Language (ESL) Students who qualify for services from the ESL/Bilingual Program may be placed in schools outside of their neighborhood attendance areas. 1. Students requiring services from the ESL/Bilingual Program may be offered placement

in a school other than their neighborhood school by the ESL program, based on student needs and service availability at the neighborhood school.

2. When those services are no longer necessary the student may continue in the enrolled school to the highest grade of the school but will be responsible for transportation. In this case, families must submit a Petition Transfer Form to the ETC to remain in the enrolled school.

Non-resident students Non-resident students must submit a School Choice Form for each grade grouping (elementary, middle, high school) to be considered in the lottery. In addition, non-resident students must also receive annual approval through an inter-district transfer from their resident school district or pay tuition. Please note for the 2004-05 year only: Currently enrolled 5th and 8th grade transfer students may continue to the next school (elementary to middle, middle to high school) in their transfer feeder pattern for the 2004-2005 school year by submitting an on-time School Choice Form. The Student Enrollment and Transfer policy allows this transition for 5th and 8th grade transfer students in the 2003-2004 school year only. After this year, 5th and 8th graders will automatically be assigned to their neighborhood school unless they request a transfer and are drawn from the lottery.

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IV. Extraordinary circumstances Petition transfer process Any student transfer request after the deadline requires a Petition Transfer Form. The petition transfer process must be used by both families and schools with very limited exceptions for ex-traordinary circumstances. A petition transfer is granted only if there are qualifying extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances include urgent family situations or situations that pose imminent health, safety, or serious educational concerns for the student. For students who are at risk for dropping out of school, the ETC will contact the student retention team to coordinate student re-assignment and transfers with the ETC. Documentation for extraordinary circumstances is re-quired when appropriate. The three steps in the petition transfer process include: Step 1 School Year Commitment Plan Before a petition transfer may be filed, the family and the current school must demonstrate a plan to support continued enrollment at the current school. The plan is a tool to address specific con-cerns of the student, family, and school. The plan should be developed immediately and focus on resolving issues of concern at the school. Plan forms will be available at all schools and at the ETC. School-year commitment plans may be started any time during the school year and may be initiated by school staff or student/family. If the plan resolves concerns, the process ends and the student remains at the enrolled school. The school-year commitment plan will be waived for families requesting a petition transfer due to health or safety reasons or an urgent family situation. Documentation is required when appropriate. The school-year commitment plan will not be waived for any new or ex-isting students that miss the transfer deadline. Step 2 Filing a Petition If the plan does not resolve the concerns about the enrolled school, the family (not the school) may request a Petition Transfer Form from the enrolled school or the ETC. It requires families to identify extraordinary circumstances with documentation, the results of the school-year commit-ment plan, and reassignment information.

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Step 3 Reassignment

Reassignment determines the school to which a student is assigned after being granted a petition transfer. The Petition Transfer Form includes a section which asks for information to enable the ETC to consider schools for reassignment based on the family’s transportation needs, desired school characteristics, and if the student wishes to return to his/her neighborhood school. Families may list up to three schools and why they consider them appropriate; however, there is no guarantee that the student will be reassigned to any of the listed schools.

A student remains in his or her enrolled school until the family is notified of the status of the petition transfer request. If the extraordinary circumstances in the petition transfer qual-ify, the ETC coordinates the school reassignment decision. If the extraordinary circumstances in the petition transfer do not qualify, the ETC notifies the family with an explanation. Appeals Families may appeal a denied petition by submitting an Appeals Form to the ETC. The ap-propriate Area Director or designee reviews the ETC decision and may choose to reverse a decision on two grounds: (a) failure of the school or ETC to follow the established petition process, or (b) new, substantial information pertinent to the petition transfer request.

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For more information, read the Student Transfers: (4.10.054-AD) and Families Who Move (4.10.056-AD) Administrative Direc-tives on the PPS Web site, www.pps.k12.or.us. or by contacting the District Communications Department at 503-916-3304.

V. No Child Left Behind Act The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 changed student transfer policy7 for all public schools in four key ways. • Students who are attending or will be attending schools that have not met Adequate

Yearly Progress (AYP) as defined by the State of Oregon two years in a row may trans-fer to a higher achieving school and receive transportation provisions.

• Students from AYP schools who submit a School Choice Form by the required deadline receive the highest priority in the student transfer process.

• Students from AYP schools who wish to transfer to a focus option must meet the same admission requirements as any other PPS student. This may include attending a manda-tory meeting and/or signing a statement of understanding.

• Students from AYP schools choosing to remain in that school will receive supplemental tutoring and assistance that is not available if they transfer to another school.

VI. Transportation For transfer students, transportation is generally the responsibility of the families unless a student qualifies for transportation accommodations under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. For more information about transportation call 503-916-6901.

7 The No Child Left Behind Act covers many aspects of public school education. This information only deals with student transfers.

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VII. Families Who Move Families new to the District may identify the neighborhood school by logging on to the PPS Web site www.pps.k12.or.us and clicking the Schools link or by calling the Communication Department at 503-916-3304.

Families moving from another school District to PPS • Families who provide documentation that they will reside in the Portland School District within 45 days of the first day of school may use the enrollment and transfer processes outlined in this handbook. • Families who move into the district after the student trans-fer deadline shall enroll in their neighborhood school. Families needing to transfer to a school due to extraordinary circum-stances must submit a Petition Transfer Form obtained from the Enrollment and Transfer Center. If required, students shall first meet minimum admission criteria or an understanding of program expectations requirement. Families moving within the District (from one attendance area to another) • Students who move to another attendance area in the Dis-trict during the school year may remain in the school in which they are currently enrolled or enroll in their new neighborhood school. If they remain in the currently enrolled school, the school shall submit a Resident Relocation Form to the Enroll-ment and Transfer Center.

Decisions by the ETC related to on-time and petition transfers shall be consistent with all federal, state, and District mandates including the No Child Left Behind Act.

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For complete copies of Student Enrollment and Transfer policy and its administrative directives, go to the PPS Web site and click on the Board of Education link. Or call 503-916-3304 for copies of these materials. An abundance of in-formation about schools and enroll-ment can be found on the District Web site, www.pps.k12.or.us. Copies of the 2004-05 schools catalog will be available in January, 2003.

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions Q: My daughter has listed three transfer schools on her School Choice Form. Is she guaranteed a space in one of her three choices? A: Students are not guaranteed a space in a school that is not their neighborhood school. The centralized lottery deter-mines student placement for transfer requests based on space availability and preferences. Q: I’m moving to another school in the PPS District in the middle of the year, but want my child to remain in his current school. Is that possible? A:. Absolutely. Students who are moving may remain in their current school or enroll in their new neighborhood school. Families must notify the school of the new address. Q: My daughter is in fifth grade this year, her last year at a transfer elementary school. We want her to continue on with her friends to the feeder middle school next year. Is that possible? A: Yes, it is possible to continue on in her feeder middle school if she is successful in the lottery process. The District does not guarantee a space at the transfer feeder school unless it is a continuing curriculum such as language immer-sion and the student submits a School Choice Form. To be considered in the lottery, you must submit a School Choice Form by March 19, 2004 (the elementary/middle school deadline) or February 13, 2004 (the high school deadline). Q. What happens if I miss the student transfer deadline? A. If you miss the deadline (February 13, 2004 for high school students and March 19, 2004 for elementary and middle school students), the Enrollment and Transfer Center will not consider your School Choice Form. The District will communicate the deadline in as many ways as possible to help you remember. Q: We just moved to Portland. How do we find out about our neighborhood school? A: You may call the Communications Department at 503-916-3304 or go to the PPS Web site at www. pps.k12.or.us and click the Schools link. Q: What are my options for kindergarten? A: PPS provides all students a free, half-day kindergarten program. Many elementary schools also offer full-day kin-dergarten in which the second half of the day is tuition based. And, some schools have free, full-day kindergarten. To learn more about kindergarten options in different schools, see the schools catalog available at the ETC. Q: Will the District provide transportation to my child’s transfer school? A: The District will provide transportation provisions for transfer students qualifying under the No Child Left Behind Act. There are a few focus option schools/programs that provide limited transportation. Please contact the specific transfer school for transportation information. Q: Do I need to fill out a School Choice Form every year? A: No, your child may continue to the highest grade of that school. In 5th and 8th grade, if you and your child wish to request a school other than your neighborhood school, you will need to submit a School Choice Form to be considered in the lottery. Q: What happens if we decide to return to our neighborhood school from a transfer school? A: To return to their neighborhood school for the next school year, transfer students must fill out a School Choice Form and submit it by the deadline. Mid-year transfers will not be processed.

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IX. About the Student Enrollment and Transfer Policy In May, 2003, the school board unanimously passed the new Student Enrollment and Transfer Policy (SET policy 4.10.051-P). This new policy, along with the Educational Options Policy (6.10.022-P) passed earlier in the year, made changes to improve the student transfer process by providing more con-sistency and equity. This handbook is intended to help the Portland Public Schools community better un-derstand the policy changes and the streamlined process. The SET policy was based on recommendations of the Educational Options Policy Team which includes parents, principals from elementary, middle and high schools, and other District staff. The new policy is based on extensive research and evaluation including:

• focus groups with parents, teachers, school counselors, and high school students • policy discussions with principals, vice principals, Area Directors, and other administrative

groups. • results from the District’s first online community questionnaire

The District has been listening to the concerns of families and staff. The major changes requested were: a. Consistency in the enrollment and transfer process for all families and schools. b. A streamlined process that is easier to understand and communicate c. More equity so that a family, school or program is not favored over another.

This handbook begins the process of implementing the new student enrollment and transfer policy. We want to hear from you! Tell us what works, what needs work, and what your questions are by e-mailing us at pubinfo@pps.k12.or.us or calling 503-916-3304.

It is the policy of the Portland Public School Board of Education and School District that there will be no discrimina-tion or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national ori-gin, age or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment. Persons having questions about [equal opportunity and nondiscrimination] should contact Carolyn Leonard, Director of Compliance at the BESC, 503-916-3183.

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Portland Public School Student Transfer Process Transfer cycle for 2004-05 school year begins January 13, 2004 and ends March 19, 2004

Step 1. Fill out a SCHOOL CHOICE FORM by the deadline to be considered for the

lottery if you are a:

Step 2. Submit your SCHOOL CHOICE FORM by the 5 p.m. deadline.

For more information about student transfers call The Enrollment and Transfer Center at 503-916-3205

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School Choice Forms Must Be Received (faxes not allowed) On or Before the Applicable Deadline by:

• U.S. Mail: The Enrollment and Transfer Center, P.O. Box 3107, Portland OR 97208-3107 • Delivering in person: The Enrollment and Transfer Center: BESC, 501 N. Dixon, Portland, OR 97227 by

5:00 pm. • Submitting online ( www.schoolchoice.pps.k12.or.us) by 5:00 pm.

DO NOT SUBMIT SCHOOL CHOICE FORMS TO THE SCHOOL

Friday, February 13, 2004

For high school students.

Friday, March 19, 2004

For elementary /middle school students.

5th or 8th grade students

wishing to continue in your transfer feeder pattern.

(Note: This year only, current 5th and 8th grade students are pre-approved in their transfer feeder pattern by submitting a School Choice Form by the

deadline)

Student requesting a transfer to school or program that is not your neighborhood school. If one of your choices is a focus option you may need to: • Attend an informational meeting • Sign a statement of understanding

about the program. • Meet objective admission criteria, if

any

Transfer student wishing to return to your neighborhood school. You will be pre-approved for placement with the School choice Form sub-mitted by the deadline.

Glossary Articulating students. Students transitioning from one school grade grouping to the next. For example, fifth graders in elementary school preparing for sixth grade in middle school; eighth graders in middle school preparing for ninth grade in high school.

Co-enrolled siblings. Siblings who will be enrolled in the same school at the same time. A time-limited exception to this definition is provided in 4.10.0512-P(X)(2)(a).

Extraordinary circumstances. The basis for granting or denying most petition transfers (a transfer request after the student transfer deadline). See page 13.

Focus option. A school or program of a school structured around a unique curriculum or particular theme and as de-fined in 6.20.022-P.

Linked siblings. Siblings who are same or different age and requesting a transfer to the same school for the same school year.

Neighborhood school. A school serving a designated attendance area and as defined in 6.20.022-P.

New to the District. Students who move into the Portland Public School District from a residence outside the District, residents not yet old enough to attend a PPS school, and students who reside in the PPS District but are not enrolled in a PPS school or program such as students who are home schooled or attending private/parochial schools.

Nonresident student. A student from another district attending a PPS district school on a tuition basis or inter-District transfer. A nonresident student includes both in state or out of state.

On-time transfer. A request to transfer submitted by the designated deadline during the transfer cycle.

Petition transfer. A request by the student/family to transfer out of the enrolled school after the student transfer dead-line. See page 13.

Reassignment. The school to which a student is assigned after completing the petition transfer process.

Resident student. A student who lives within the boundaries of the PPS District.

School grade grouping. Refers to different school levels: elementary, middle and high school. Some schools have unique grade groupings, for instance a K-8.

Sibling. Children with the same parent or supervising adult living together at the same address.

Supervising adult. An adult who is a legally mandated guardian or caretaker of the child. Supervising adults include surrogate parents, legal guardians, foster parents, or others who can establish they are acting in that capacity. Super-visory adult status is established by the Enrollment and Transfer Center.

Transfer. A formal request by a District family for a student to attend a school other than his/her neighborhood school or to return to his/her neighborhood school from a transfer school.

Transfer cycle. The period of time before the deadline in which families may request a student transfer by submitting a School Choice Form and be considered for the lottery.

Transfer school. The school to which a student has transferred.

Transfer student. A District student attending a school other than his/her neighborhood school.

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Student Enrollment and Transfer Center

It is the policy of the Portland Public School Board of Education and School District that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, sex-ual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment. Persons having questions about [equal opportunity and nondiscrimi-nation] should contact Carolyn Leonard, Director of Compliance at the BESC, 503-916-3183.