Fulton County School Ssytem
Atlanta, Georgia 30315
The Fulton County M-to-M Alternative Task Force wants to know what you think about its new proposed student transfer option . . .
CHOICE
(Children Have Options In Choosing Education)
CHOICE is a proposed student program for south county students to transfer to north county that the M-to-M Alternative Task Force of Fulton County plans to recommend to the Board of Education in June to replace the Majority-to-Minority (M-to-M) student transfer program.
M-to-M was established in 1970 to allow k-12 students in the Fulton County School System to transfer to another Fulton County school to promote desegregation. However, in accordance with the Agreement for Declaration of Unitary Status approved by the Courts in spring 2003, the M-to-M Program is being phased out by the end of the 2011-12 school year.
To replace M-to-M, the Unitary Status Agreement called for the Fulton County Board of Education to establish an M-to-M Alternative Task Force to make non-binding recommendations to the School Board "concerning cost-effective, race-neutral alternatives to the M-to-M Program that would enable students residing in South County to attend school in North County ." The only restriction was that "any such transfer program must not be in conflict with the No Child Left Behind Act" or related Department of Education regulations.
The Unitary Status Agreement also requires the task force to give school district residents the chance to express opinions on the alternatives it is considering.
The parent-staff task force was appointed by the Fulton County School Board in fall 2003.
Here are some details about the proposed CHOICE transfer program.
Eligibility
• South county parents/guardians may apply for CHOICE only if other existing transfer options are not applicable to their child/children.
• The requested school in north county must have available classroom space for the year requested.
• Once a student is enrolled in CHOICE, siblings will be given priority for future enrollment.
• If more students request a school than there is available space, a lottery will be used for selection.
Transportation
• Transportation will be provided only to north county schools that already receive transportation from south county. Students who qualify will be allowed to ride buses designated as M to M or NCLB (No Child Left Behind) as long as space is available.
• Safety is a primary concern of the district. To ensure the safety of our students, the district will offer transportation at regular neighbor-hood bus stops.
• If there are more students than available space on the bus, a lottery will be conducted.
The district will also consider providing transportation using bus routes for programs such as magnets when space is available, excluding special needs buses. CHOICE transfers will receive the same level of service as other programs.
• If a parent selects a north county school through the CHOICE program that is not on the transportation route, their child will still be considered for CHOICE under the following conditions:
• The requested school has space available, and
• The parents agree to provide transportation to and from the requested school.
Continuity of Enrollment
Once a student has been placed in a school under CHOICE, the student must complete an annual renewal form to attend the school in subsequent years. Such students will be given top priority for attendance.
• All transfers are reviewed by the Hardship Transfer Committee.
• Students placed by the committee are expected to abide by the following guidelines:
• Attend school regularly and on time;
• Avoid excessive absences, checkouts;
• Be picked up promptly after school or after-school activity;
• Conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, and
• Complete all school work.
Any student who fails to maintain these standards may be transferred back to his or her home school.
Application Process
• To participate in the CHOICE program, the south county student's parent/s or guardian/s must submit a transfer application to the FCS Student Placement Office by February 1 the year before the transfer is requested.
• Applicants who qualify and attend the requested school must submit a renewal request to continue in the CHOICE program at the end of each school year. Such students will be given top priority for attendance at the school the following year.
We Want to Hear From You!
The M-to-M Alternative Task Force is scheduled to present its CHOICE recommendations to the Fulton County Board of Education on Tuesday, June 8, 2004. Comments or questions about the work of the task force or the recommendations must be received no later than 5 p.m., Friday, May 7, 2004 .
Write down your comments and send them to:
Melandie Williams
Curriculum Department
Fulton County School System
786 Cleveland Ave. SW
Atlanta , GA 30315
Or email your comments to:
Or share your ideas on the Fulton County web site at:
Thank you!
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I have the following comment or question about the proposed CHOICE transfer program: