Admissions, Lottery, and Enrollment Office of Charter Schools Stephenie Clark Education Consultant December 2017

Goal Each board member and/or school leadership member will receive interpretations of general statute and recommendations regarding: Admissions Policy Enrollment preferences Open Enrollment Lottery Procedures Post Lottery Procedures

Admissions Policy Clearly defines the enrollment process for EACH applicant. Applicant eligibility Application content Length of open enrollment period Lottery Lottery date and process Accepted applicant Waitlist applicant Applicants after open enrollment period

Applicant Eligibility Any child who is qualified under the laws of this State for admission to a public school is qualified for admission to a charter school. Domicile: One parent (natural or legal) resides within the domicile.

Student Admission Except as otherwise provided by law or the mission of the school as set out in the charter, the school shall not limit admission to students on the basis of intellectual ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, athletic ability, or disability. A charter school shall not limit admission to students on the basis of race, creed, national origin, religion, or ancestry. A charter school whose mission is single-sex education may limit admission on the basis of sex.

Admission Refusal Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a charter school may refuse admission to any student who has been expelled or suspended from a public school under G.S. 115C-390.5 through G.S. 115C-390.11 until the period of suspension or expulsion has expired.

Enrollment Priorities The following are optional priorities that may be provided. The admissions policy should clearly outline any priorities the charter school intends to give. Enrollment priorities should be ranked in order of priority in the admission policy.

Siblings of Current Enrolled Students Siblings of currently enrolled students who were admitted to the charter school in a previous year. For the purposes of this section, the term "siblings" includes any of the following who reside in the same household: half siblings, stepsiblings, and children residing in a family foster home.

Siblings of Students Having Completed Highest Grade Level Offered Siblings of students who have completed the highest grade level offered by that school and who were enrolled in at least four grade levels offered by the charter school or, if less than four grades are offered, in the maximum number of grades offered by the charter school.

Children of Full-Time Employees or Board of Directors Limited to no more than fifteen percent (15%) of the school's total enrollment, unless granted a waiver by the State Board of Education, the following: Children of the school's full-time employees. Children of the charter school's board of directors.

Previously Enrolled in Charter School and Pursued Specified Opportunities A student who was enrolled in the charter school within the two previous school years but left the school (i) to participate in an academic study abroad program or a competitive admission residential program or (ii) because of the vocational opportunities of the student's parent.

Enrolled in Another Charter School A student who was enrolled in another charter school in the State in the previous school year that does not offer the student's next grade level. Both charter schools have an enrollment articulation agreement to accept students or are governed by the same board of directors.

Open Enrollment Period Openness and transparency is the KEY!!! Must be at least 30 consecutive days (CHTR-003) Can begin once the school is formally approved. Lottery application should be limited in content and widely accessible. (December 2014 Guidance) Applications should be time-stamped and checked for completeness – recorded formally.

Post-Open Enrollment Period Local decision regarding closed date If a school does not accept ONE application – they cannot accept any or enroll any students for the rest of that year. Waitlist should consist of received applications, include time stamps, and recorded in accordance to the policies and procedures of the school.

Lottery Application Recommended Accessible in multiple formats/locations Follows school’s marketing plan Focused on being open and transparent Provide synopsis regarding the process (website, handbook, handout) Ask questions regarding siblings (multiple birth or currently enrolled (year 2+)) Have a verification statement Signed by parent or legal guardian

Not Recommended Limit public access to the application Limit marketing plan and open enrollment options Ask questions regarding: Race, gender, religion Academic status Disability Interests Written essay Previous transcripts EC eligibility (IEP/504)

Lottery Procedures for Siblings If siblings apply for admission to a charter school and a lottery is needed under subsection (h) of this section, the charter school may enter one surname into the lottery to represent all of the siblings applying at the same time. If that surname of the siblings is selected, then all of the siblings shall be admitted to the extent that space is available and does not exceed the grade level capacity.

Lottery Procedures: Multiple Birth Siblings If multiple birth siblings apply for admission to a charter school and a lottery is needed under subsection (h) of this section, the charter school shall enter one surname into the lottery to represent all of the multiple birth siblings applying at the same time. If that surname of the multiple birth siblings is selected, then all of the multiple birth siblings shall be admitted.

Lottery Procedures: Weighted Lottery If a procedure for a weighted lottery reflecting the mission of the school has been approved by the State Board as part of the charter, and a lottery is needed under subsection (h) of this section, the lottery shall be conducted according to the procedure in the charter.

Public Charter School Lottery Recommendations & Best Practices

Lottery Process Initial preferences Denote the # of openings per grade Open to public, fair and consistent Practice, practice, practice!!! Continue until ALL names are pulled Provide a detailed policy and process to public Initial preferences Including held spots for preferences Denote the # of openings per grade Enrollment procedure (if chosen) Waiting list procedures

Required Lottery Worksheet Grade K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Total Grade Level Openings 50 # of enrolled due to Preferences 3 1 4 2 # of lottery Openings 47 49 46 48 # of Applications 55* 43 67 51* 36 *Denotes Multiple birth siblings card in this lottery

Example Lottery Methods and Procedures Method of selection: Pull from hat or fish bowl Use random selection computer program Bingo cages Student identification methods: Numbers Initials Names *Be conscious of FERPA

Lottery Procedures Continued: Clear separation of duties Who will draw? (staff, board, 3rd party community member) Person to announce Person to record Ensure all approved lottery preferences are noted or recorded per grade level Person to verify

Post Lottery Process Open and transparent If you messed up – “own it” and do the right thing Ensure results are accessible to parents Policy that outlines how long parents have to determine the “offer of enrollment” Recommendation at least 7 – 10 days Policy should address extenuating circumstances Policy should address non-responsive families (position place on waitlist)

Questions?

Stephenie Clark Education Consultant Office of Charter Schools stephenie.clark@dpi.nc.gov