We want to know what you think about . . .
CHOICE
(Children Have Options In
Choosing Education)
Fulton County School System
M-to-M Alternative Task Force
2003-04
CHOICE is a proposed program for south county students to transfer to north county schools that the M-to-M Alternative Task Force of Fulton County plans to recommend to the Board of Education to replace the Majority-to-Minority (M-to-M) program.
In accordance with the Agreement for Declaration of Unitary Status approved by the Courts in spring 2003, M-to-M is being phased out by the end of the 2011-12 school year.
To replace M-to-M, the Unitary Status Agreement required the Fulton Board of Education to establish an M-to-M Alternative Task Force to make non-binding recommendations to the 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 U.S. Department of Education regulations. The 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 north county school must have available classroom space for the year requested, as defined for other student transfer options.
• Once a south county 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 student safety, the district will offer transportation at regular neighborhood 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 south county student has been placed in a north county school under CHOICE, the student must complete an annual renewal form to attend the school in future years. Such students will have top priority for attendance the next year.
• All transfers are reviewed by the Hardship Transfer Committee.
• Students placed in CHOICE are to abide by the same guidelines required of other transfer students:
• Attend school regularly and on time;
• Avoid excessive absences, checkouts;
• Be picked up promptly after school;
• 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 Feb. 1 the year before the transfer is requested.
• Applicants who qualify and attend the requested north county school must submit a renewal request to continue in the CHOICE program at the end of each school year. Students currently participating in CHOICE will be given 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. If you have comments or questions about the work of the task force or the recommendations described in this flyer, please let us know no later than 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 program for south county students to transfer to north county schools:
April 2004