Intra-District Choice Considerations March 12, 2013 Ray Gravuer, Director of Secondary Curriculum

History of Choice in the United States Late 18 th Century – Thomas Paine writes about a basic level of education absent of state educational monopolies – Idea of School Choice was written about by Milton Friedman, economist. In his writing the government’s role was limited to providing funding and setting basic standards for approved educational institutions (Voucher System).

Modern Day History of Choice Ronald Reagan approached Catholics who were dismayed by judicial assaults on school prayer. Republican Party was seeking a proactive, market- friendly agenda. AFT Union President promoted charter schools as a way to increase teacher autonomy. Civil rights leaders sought social justice for better urban schools.

Questions to Ask While Considering your Options 1.Does choice benefit the common good? 2.Does choice benefit the individual good? 3.Are there any consequences to implementing choice?

Why choice? What is your goal? Marketplace Competition Theory School Reform/Student Achievement Efficient Use of Resources Athletic Preference Other

Current Appoquinimink Choice Rules 1.Capacity: If a school is at 80% capacity, it will be closed to choice students. In addition, choice students will not be permitted to exceed 5% of the school’s population. 2.Anyone wishing to remain in their school of choice for a subsequent year must submit an application annually. 3.Under no circumstances will students be considered for a transfer based on an athletic preference.

Goal: Marketplace Competition? Theory: Competition provides greater opportunity for success, while improving quality and encouraging innovation. Other Views: –Competition results in winners and losers. –Potentially eliminates cross-school cooperation. – Negatively effects community / neighborhood relations or perceptions.

Goal: School Reform & Student Achievement? Both High Schools have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on State Assessments. AP Pass Rates are significantly higher than the National or State averages Graduation Rates are higher than the State average Demographic Representation is equitable across schools

Statistics for Achievement Percent Students Passing AP Exams by Year Geographic Area United States56.2%57.2% Delaware50.4%47.6% Appoquinimink57%67%76%63%72%75% Graduation Rate by Percentage Geographic Area Delaware81.2%81.9%85.3%86.7%79.3% Appoquinimink92.1%88.6%90.7%90.2%87.9%

Goal: Efficient Use of Resources? Decrease duplication of services for low enrollment programs, while increasing district-wide offerings. Transportation costs could increase. Balance enrollment numbers.

School Capacity SchoolCurrent Enrollment Capacity80% Capacity5% Choice Rule AHS MHS If a school is at 80% capacity, it will be closed to choice students. In addition, choice students will not be permitted to exceed 5% of the school’s population.

Goal: Athletic Preference? Will specific sports lose participation based on school? Will choice increase or decrease opportunities for participation? What happens if kids transfer in succeeding years? Will violations and allegations of recruitment increase?

DIAA Transfer Rule First Year of Eligibility A student who has previously participated in interscholastic athletics may transfer one time during their first year of eligibility without loss of athletic eligibility. However, students shall not participate in a contest at the varsity level for two different schools in the same sport during the same school year unless one of the exceptions applies Unless one of the exceptions applies, a student who has previously participated in interscholastic athletics that transfers more than one time during their first year of eligibility, shall be ineligible in any sport for a period of ninety (90) school days commencing with the first day of official attendance in the receiving school. The period of ineligibility shall continue to the next grade/school year until 90 school days have passed.

DIAA Transfer Rule Second Year of Eligibility Second year of Eligibility forward: Unless one of the exceptions applies a student who has previously participated in interscholastic athletics, transfers to a DIAA member school after the first day of school of their second year of high school eligibility shall be ineligible in all sports that the student previously participated in. The period of ineligibility shall be one school year commencing with the first day of official attendance in the receiving school. The period of ineligibility shall continue to the next grade/school year until the total number of school days in the school year have passed.