SCHOOL CHOICE

Every year, the Nevada Department of Education identifies schools within the state that have not met certain performance targets, also known as "Adequate Yearly Progress" or AYP, for two or more consecutive years.  Those schools are designated as being "in need of improvement".  For a complete list of schools and districts that have not made Adequate Yearly Progress, see the Nevada Department of Education website,  w ww.doe.nv.gov , click on the Instruction, Research and Evaluation portion of the home page and go to "assessments, program accountability and curriculum".

The majority of the schools in the District have made AYP and the majority of the students at the school identified for needs of improvement have made AYP. Please know that many good schools have not made AYP throughout the nation and the state of Nevada. Academic success is measured in many ways, including classroom tests, teacher observations, report cards, homework, and standardized tests.  AYP, however, focuses only on state tests.  Entire schools can miss the target if too many students are absent on a test day or if students who aren't yet fluent in English miss the reading and writing goals. Churchill County School District has dedicated administrators and teachers who work hard to meet the goals.

For schools in the first year in need of improvement, parents have the "choice" of moving their child to a different school as identified by the District. This year Title I schools, Numa Elementary School and E.C. Best Elementary School are both in their first year in need of improvement. Parents who have students in either of these schools will have the option of transferring their student to either Lahontan Elementary School or West End Elementary School. Transportation will be covered by the district.  Parents may also choose for their child to remain in his/her current school.

Through the District Improvement Plan, Churchill County School District, has identified strategies that will assist schools and teachers to be able to meet the AYP requirements. For the 2009-2010 school year, teachers will be completing "Personal Education Plans" for the lowest performing students in the school as measured on the Measurement of Academic Progress assessment. Schools have adopted this assessment to be able to define the learning needs of each individual student in the school. This information will help establish the Personal Education Plan for the struggling student.

Parents are invited to participate in their child's education. Your school is required to have two parents who participate on the School Improvement Team. Training will be given to parents who wish to participate before attending the SIP Team meeting. This training will be provided by the District Parent Involvement Coordinator prior to the beginning of school. Working together provides students a well rounded education and hope toward a successful life.

Parents of Numa Elementary School students and E. C. Best Elementary School students may obtain a copy of the school choice letter and more specific information from the Registration Center at Northside Early Learning Center.  Parents may also contact the principals of these schools for a copy of the letter and for additional information.  For further information on the No Child Left Behind compliance and school improvement, contact Federal Programs, 423-6955.

SCHOOL CHOICE FAQs

Federal law requires school districts to offer parents in certain public schools the chance to transfer their children to other public schools in the same school district.  Your child's school will participate in our new school choice program beginning in the upcoming school year.  To help you understand how the choice program can work for you, here are some answers to questions you may have.

Do I Have to Transfer My Child to Another School?

No.  We're providing parents with this opportunity as an option.  The decision is entirely up to you, so you should base your decisions on what you think is best for your child.  If you think your child would be better off remaining at your current school, all you have to do is make sure your child is at your school on the first day of class.

To Which Schools May My Child Transfer?

Not all schools in the district are eligible to accept transfer students.  So transfers are available only to the following Accepting Schools:

 Lahontan Elementary School West End Elementary

Is My Child Guaranteed a Place in an Accepting School?

We may not be able to transfer every child whose parent applies.  Until we hear from all parents whose children have been offered a transfer, we can't guarantee that if you choose to transfer your child we will be able to make the transfer happen.

What if I Want to Transfer More than One Child?

We may not be able to transfer every child in the same family.  If you choose to transfer more than one child to the same Accepting School, we will make every effort to transfer the children to that school.  But we can't guarantee that we will approve transfers for brothers and sisters to the same school.

How Will Students Be Chosen?

We want to accommodate as many choices as possible, but if many parents request transfers, we may not be able to transfer everyone. Student eligibility will be based on the student's qualification for free and reduced lunch, as well as the student's achievement score on the statewide assessment program or the district assessment program.

How Will My Child Get to an Accepting School?

If your transfer is approved, your child will have district busing to the Accepting School for as long as your current school does not make adequate yearly progress on the statewide assessment program standards.

What's the Deadline for Applying?

If you decide you want to send your child to one of the Accepting School, you must complete the attached request form and take to the Welcome Center.  If we do not receive your request from you, on or before August 25, 2009, your child will remain enrolled at your current school. We encourage you to make your decision as soon as possible. Waiting until after school starts will be a disadvantage to the teachers in the schools as they prepare for the new year.

What if My Transfer Application Isn't Approved?

If your transfer is not approved, your child will stay in your current school.

When Will You Tell Me if My Transfer Application Is Approved?

We will inform you of your child's new school if accepted for transfer by August 25, 2009 or earlier if possible.

When Can I Visit the Accepting Schools?

If you're thinking about transferring your child to one of the Accepting Schools, we encourage you to visit. School tours will be established and the schedule published during August.

Questions: If you have any more questions about the school choice program or your options, please call the Federal Program Facilitator at 423-6955 or contact your principal.