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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 27, 2015 03:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Joe Emrick |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Charter School Enrollment Practices |
| Over the past few years, I have grown concerned about media reports and personal stories concerning barriers to enrollment for prospective students in some – but not all – charter schools. These barriers come in various forms, but the end result prevents or discourages enrollment of some students in charter schools. Despite the fact that the guidance to all public schools from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) clearly outlines only five required documents (proof of student’s age, immunization documentation, proof of resident, a parent registration statement relating to suspension and expulsion, and a home language survey) before enrolling a child and allowing a child to attend school, a review of charter school applications and policies show some charters require submission of report cards, attendance in summer school, essays, student and parent interviews, teacher/community member recommendations and more. Sometimes this information is required before kids are even allowed to enter an enrollment lottery. Some charter schools don’t make their application forms available on their websites and instead require parents to come to the school to pick up applications in person. This type of barrier allows for the “counseling out” of prospective students. Our current charter school law allows for some enrollment limits based on intellectual disability but I do not believe the intent of the legislature was to create barriers to enrollment. Public school entities should not be permitted to establish barriers to school choice options. Comprehensive charter school reform should prohibit such practices and remove barriers for families to enroll their children in charter and cyber charter schools. My bill will include requirements for a standard enrollment form which would be helpful to families who are submitting multiple applications for their child’s enrollment. It will also prohibit enrollment practices that require the submission of information beyond what is required under the standard enrollment form unless approved by PDE, and the allowance of academic prerequisites only for charter and cyber charter schools focused on performing arts and STEM curriculum in secondary education. I am committed to working with stakeholders to reach a solution to this problem this spring. Thank you for your consideration. (Prior Cosponsors: CUTLER, HELM, MUNDY, V.BROWN, MOUL, R. MILLER, EVERETT, COX, AUMENT, MILLARD, GROVE AND EVANKOVICH |
Introduced as HB843