| Get Informed |
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| As a parent do you ever think, "what are they talking about?" when educators talk about education reform. Below are some important terms every parent should know. |
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 What is No Child Left Behind (NCLB)? |
What is a magnet school? |
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| What is AYP? |
What is an inter-district transfer? |
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| What is Title I? |
What is an intra-district transfer? |
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| What is a charter school? |
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| What is No Child Left Behind (NCLB)? |
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| The Basics: No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is a national law that was established in 2002. Its goal was for all students in grades 3-11 to perform on grade level in reading and math by 2014. |
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| What it means for schools: NCLB created new rules for schools receiving Title I money from the government. Under NCLB, Title I schools must: |
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- Make AYP toward the 2014 goal
- Make school improvements if they are not making AYP
- Make sure that all their teachers are “highly qualified”
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| What it means for parents: If a school does not meet AYP for two years in a row, all students are entitled to free tutoring services and have the right to move to another school that is performing better. All parents have the right to know how their child and school are performing. |
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| What is AYP? |
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| The Basics: AYP stands for Adequate Yearly Progress. AYP is the system states use to measure each school’s progress toward the goal of all students performing on grade level by 2014. |
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| What it means for schools: When schools fail to meet AYP they go through 3 stages: School Improvement, Corrective Action, and Restructuring. If a school fails to meet AYP for more than 5 years, the state has a right to shut the school down. |
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| What it means for parents: Students may be entitled to free tutoring services or a transfer to another school. |
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| What is Title I? |
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| The Basics: Title I is a national government program that gives money to schools with a high number of low-income students. |
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| What it means for schools: Schools must use these funds only to help students who are failing to meet state standards. If more than 40% of a school’s students are from low-income families then the school may use the funds for school-wide programs. |
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| What it means for parents: If a student is failing to meet state standards for his or her grade level, s/he should have access to additional support under Title I. If you are unsure if your child is getting the support needed, ask your school’s principal how Title I funds are being used. |
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| What is a charter school? |
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| The Basics: Charter schools are public schools that do not have to follow all of the regulations of traditional public schools in exchange for greater accountability. Charter schools must report to the state or local school board every 3-5 years and show that they have made academic gains with students in order to stay open. |
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| What it means for schools: Charter schools can choose their own curriculum, create their own discipline systems, and hire or fire teachers as they see fit. Some have certain requirements for admission, but many are open enrollment, just like traditional public schools. |
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| What it means for parents: Charter schools give parents who want to send their children to public schools more options. Just like any other public school, parents should research charter schools to ensure that they will provide the excellent education their children deserve. |
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| What is a magnet school? |
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| The Basics: Some magnet schools have competitive admissions criteria, requiring an entrance examination, interview, or audition. Other magnet schools select all students who apply or use a lottery system, or a system combining some elements of competitive entrance and a lottery. |
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| What it means for schools: Magnet schools have certain requirements for admission. |
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| What it means for parents: You may apply to as many Magnet programs as you choose. However, you may only submit one Vanguard Magnet application. Just like any other school option, parents should research magnet schools before enrolling their children. |
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| To visit HISD Magnet Program Application, click here. |
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| What is an inter-district transfer? |
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| A parent of a student enrolled in a campus where 50 percent or more of the students did not pass TAKS in any two of the preceding three years or the campus was rated Academically Unacceptable may apply to attend a campus in any other school district for the following school year. A school district chosen by a student’s parent under this statute is entitled to accept or reject the application for the student to attend school in that district. |
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| To learn more about HISDs inter-district transfer options see: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/taa/perfreport121207.html |
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| What is an intra-district transfer? |
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| State law permits the transfer of students from one school facility within the district to another facility within the district. Parents must present an approved transfer form at the time of enrollment. Transfers are typically for a full year, they require a full-year commitment, and must be renewed annually. |
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| To learn more about HISDs intra-district transfer options see: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/taa/perfreport121207.html |