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Coordinate Assignment Process

The application and school assignment process should be consistent, predictable, and transparent. Materials and procedures should be simple, user-friendly, and distributed to every eligible parent, and time provided for them to make an informed decision.

Program Practices

Create a Districtwide System to Support Student Placement
In spring 2003, Portland Public Schools introduced the School Choice Lottery System for elementary and middle school grades to provide equitable, predictable, and transparent student placement through use of a weighted computerized program.

Create a Web Portal for Choice Application and Family Acceptance of Choice Offers
To provide more equitable and easy access to choice information, in spring of 2006, Hillsborough County Public Schools created a website especially for families.

Create Transfer Processes to Promote Integration
Since Chicago Public Schools is court-mandated to integrate its schools, the district has fostered magnet schools and Neighborhood Learning Clusters to meet this mandate.

Employ a Lottery System
With the help of a consultant, Hamilton County Schools designed a computerized lottery system to assign students to schools.

Include a Variety of Choice Information in Your Application
Hillsborough County Public Schools distributes an All-In-One Hillsborough Choice Application Guide that provides a wide range of information about the program to families.

Partner with Independent Charters to Market and Include in the Lottery Process
The charter schools had parents apply through the New Haven Public Schools application process and be assigned to schools through the district lottery process.

Promote Parental Understanding of Lottery System
To make the Portland Public School’s choice system and the lottery placement process as transparent as possible, the district created an informational webpage for families.

Use a Computer Selection Model to Manage the Admissions Process
In 1997, the Wake County Public School System began using a computer selection model to manage the student admission and assignment process for their magnet schools.

Use Academic Merit as a Factor for Admission
Houston Independent School District uses academic merit as a factor for admission for some programs in the district.

Sample Materials

A Look at Focus Option Programs
Portland Public Schools provides information on its website about the various academic programs they offer to meet the diverse learning styles of every student.

Choice Options Website
Created by HCPS, this website offers parents information on choice options in the district.

DeBakey High School for Health Professionals
Houston Independent School District's DeBakey High School for Health Professionals is a magnet program with stringent entrance requirements.

Family Support Centers
Portland Public Schools Family Support Centers are open to provide assistance to families whose home language is not English.

Frequently Asked Questions About School Choice
Portland Public Schools’ parents can refer to this document to learn more about school choice.

Lottery Logic
Portland Public Schools employs a districtwide system to provide equitable, predictable, and transparent student placement. This document outlines criteria on which placement decisions are made.

School and Program Information Home Page
This Portland Public Schools website allows families to investigate the wide array of school choice options offered.

Student Assignment Process
Wake County Public School System uses a weighted student assignment process to maintain diversity in the schools and provides information on the process on its website.

Magnet School Application
Hamilton County Schools uses this application for parents to apply for magnet programs.

Elementary Magnet Application - English
Houston Independent School District publishes magnet programs in English and Spanish at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Booker T. Washington High School
Houston Independent School District manages several magnet programs that require students to perform at a specific achievement level to apply.

Academic Achievement Matrix
Houston Independent School District uses this achievement matrix to communicate criteria for acceptance into several of their magnet programs.

New Haven Public Schools of Choice Booklet
New Haven Public Schools publishes this booklet to inform parents of all school choice options, which include both magnet schools and independent charters, among other options. Students follow the same application process when applying to any school in the district.

End-of-Year Minority Transfer Application
This Chicago Public Schools application allows minority students to apply to schools with a student population of more than 40% Caucasian.

Enrollment Application
Portland Public Schools enrollment application is offered in multiple languages.

Statement of Understanding for Schools of Choice
Some schools of choice within Portland Public Schools require parents and students to sign a statement of understanding.

Choice Application Guide
Hillsborough County Public Schools designed this guide to help parents navigate the public school choices in the district. The packet includes a list of frequently asked questions, a list of resource centers to contact for additional help, and an application form.

Choice Frequently Asked Questions
This list provides parents with answers to frequently asked questions about the choice program in the Hillsborough County Public Schools. It also describes who can participate in the choice plan.

Media

Three Things to Consider

• Lottery systems may help ensure that assignments are more equitable
• Make sure that parents have the assistance they need to apply to the programs of their choice
• It is important to factor in the language and social needs of parents when designing and distributing your applications