Transfer: Picking the school of choice

It’s a decision facing parents not only in the east, but across the country. 
 
Where do you send your kids to school when their school doesn’t meet adequate yearly progress standards under “No Child Left Behind” multiple years in a row?

That’s the case for ten schools in Pitt County.
   
This week, the parents of children will have to decide whether to send their kids to another school or leave them at the school that’s falling short. 

In this Nine On Your Side Assignment Education report, Parul Joshi explains the impact of that choice.

“Well they’ll receive the letter. It’ll detail the results of the school in math and the parents will be informed of their options,” says Heather Mayo, Pitt County Schools Public Information Officer.

Leaders of the Pitt County School System know when parents get letters giving them the chance to transfer their kids to another school many will be concerned- particularly when you consider school is only three weeks away.

“I think it’s different for every family.  There’s really not one thing I can recommend for everyone receiving these letters,“ continues Mayo.

She says before you make the decision, remember, just because a school hasn’t met AYP doesn’t mean it’s not a good school.

“Many of these schools meet all categories except or maybe 1 and because of that they don’t meet AYP.  That does not mean school is failing,“ says Mayo.

If you do decide to change schools, federal funds will provide transportation as long as the school continues to miss AYP goals.

Mayo says moving kids to another school may create overcrowding at that school.

But the system will have to live with it because it’s federal law.

Last year she says several thousand transfer requests were offered, but only 73 were submitted and approved.

Tell us what you think about the options, just log in and give us your thoughts in our new and improved Reader Reaction section of this article.

You can also find full AYP results, by typing in the Keyword: AYP right here on WNCT.com!