Comments for Hope Change ChoicesHope Change Choices | Hope Change Choices http://www.hopechangechoices.org Your guide to school choice options in LAUSD Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:27:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on What are your Choices winter edition 2011 by Angel http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2011/11/13/what-are-your-choices-winter-edition-2011/#comment-2157 Angel Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:27:33 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=158#comment-2157 I don't even believe that an all-district choice fair(e) is necessary, since the costs involved outweigh the overall benefits.  I would like to see one per local district, and if that doesn't happen, I'd like to see the schools cooperate.  I saw a tremendous outreach at the new high school in San Fernando--where four schools are housed under one roof.  Three of the schools--teacher led pilot schools--really reached out to the community to recruit applicants.  I hope they do that again this year.  Schools are not in the habit of utilizing PR or creating buzz about their programs, but that will be how they fill seats.  Good test scores, very involved teachers, themes that interest families., etc. I don't even believe that an all-district choice fair(e) is necessary, since the costs involved outweigh the overall benefits.  I would like to see one per local district, and if that doesn't happen, I'd like to see the schools cooperate.  I saw a tremendous outreach at the new high school in San Fernando–where four schools are housed under one roof.  Three of the schools–teacher led pilot schools–really reached out to the community to recruit applicants.  I hope they do that again this year.  Schools are not in the habit of utilizing PR or creating buzz about their programs, but that will be how they fill seats.  Good test scores, very involved teachers, themes that interest families., etc.

]]> Comment on Charters on a map by Sierra http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2010/07/02/charters-on-a-map/#comment-2114 Sierra Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:17:47 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=30#comment-2114 The CA Charter Schools Association has an interactive map that is updated each year: http://app.calcharters.org/apps/mapapp/map.aspx?Zip=&Distance=10&County= The CA Charter Schools Association has an interactive map that is updated each year:
http://app.calcharters.org/apps/mapapp/map.aspx?Zip=&Distance=10&County=

]]> Comment on LA media reports the new Open Enrollment debate by Reflecting on LAUSD’s school choice Board motions | Hope Change Choices http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2012/01/13/la-media-reports-the-new-open-enrollment-debate/#comment-2112 Reflecting on LAUSD’s school choice Board motions | Hope Change Choices Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:40:40 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=252#comment-2112 [...] Martinez/ Garcia resolution leaves me with a lot of questions and based on comments on local news sites, many other parents have lots of questions.  I personally follow the civil rights view of school [...] [...] Martinez/ Garcia resolution leaves me with a lot of questions and based on comments on local news sites, many other parents have lots of questions.  I personally follow the civil rights view of school [...]

]]> Comment on What Denver can teach LAUSD about choice by HCC open letter regarding LAUSD open enrollment | Hope Change Choices http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2011/12/04/what-denver-can-teach-lausd-about-choice/#comment-2104 HCC open letter regarding LAUSD open enrollment | Hope Change Choices Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:40:46 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=217#comment-2104 [...] line with the rest of the country.  The letter below explains why I think that is a bad idea and what LAUSD can do better to reach the same goal of expanded choice. To the LAUSD [...] [...] line with the rest of the country.  The letter below explains why I think that is a bad idea and what LAUSD can do better to reach the same goal of expanded choice. To the LAUSD [...]

]]> Comment on Profiles in Choice: Romero Transfer Act by Last Chance for Romero Transfer Act | Hope Change Choices http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2010/12/09/profiles-in-choice-romero-transfer-act/#comment-2051 Last Chance for Romero Transfer Act | Hope Change Choices Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:47:02 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=95#comment-2051 [...] Last Chance for Romero Transfer Act by Rustum Jacob on Dec 28, 2011 • 9:46 pm No Comments The Romero Transfer Act ends December 31st for families looking to enter LAUSD or change schools within LAUSD.  The Romero Transfer act is a great option for thousands of LAUSD families who want a choice other than their home high school.  For more information on what exactly the Romero Transfer Act is please see least year’s post. [...] [...] Last Chance for Romero Transfer Act by Rustum Jacob on Dec 28, 2011 • 9:46 pm No Comments The Romero Transfer Act ends December 31st for families looking to enter LAUSD or change schools within LAUSD.  The Romero Transfer act is a great option for thousands of LAUSD families who want a choice other than their home high school.  For more information on what exactly the Romero Transfer Act is please see least year’s post. [...]

]]> Comment on Charters on a map by What are your Choices winter edition 2011 | Hope Change Choices http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2010/07/02/charters-on-a-map/#comment-1954 What are your Choices winter edition 2011 | Hope Change Choices Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:38:04 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=30#comment-1954 [...] your options: LAUSD’s charter site covers the basics about what is a charter school.  We have an old interactive map, but it needs to be updated.  You really have to go to each school or CMO and do your [...] [...] your options: LAUSD’s charter site covers the basics about what is a charter school.  We have an old interactive map, but it needs to be updated.  You really have to go to each school or CMO and do your [...]

]]> Comment on What are your Choices winter edition 2011 by mrjacobmath http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2011/11/13/what-are-your-choices-winter-edition-2011/#comment-1937 mrjacobmath Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:56:19 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=158#comment-1937 I like the idea of a consolidated school open house. One hold back I can think of off the top of my head is that SAS authorization occurs in May. My school was not approved for an SAS program until late May which made recruitment difficult for the current school year. Perhaps the district with its new found ability to garner outside money can begin hosting a school choice fair(e) again. If you ever get the "I'm In" system to work, please let me know. I like the idea of a consolidated school open house. One hold back I can think of off the top of my head is that SAS authorization occurs in May. My school was not approved for an SAS program until late May which made recruitment difficult for the current school year. Perhaps the district with its new found ability to garner outside money can begin hosting a school choice fair(e) again. If you ever get the “I’m In” system to work, please let me know.

]]> Comment on What are your Choices winter edition 2011 by Angel http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2011/11/13/what-are-your-choices-winter-edition-2011/#comment-1935 Angel Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:59:16 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=158#comment-1935 Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that I was trying to get it from you. I've got a call into my LD superintendent. :) There is a very strong push among LD 1 parents to consolidate the dates--especially with the new calendar. The current dates don't work with early start--and it's time to fix the dates for applications once and for all. People are touring magnets asking about SAS/Academy programs. Parents can't possibly tour the same school 2-3 times for different programs. This year it's not just helping other parents for me--I'm doing it with them. It will definitely be interesting. Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that I was trying to get it from you. I’ve got a call into my LD superintendent. :) There is a very strong push among LD 1 parents to consolidate the dates–especially with the new calendar. The current dates don’t work with early start–and it’s time to fix the dates for applications once and for all. People are touring magnets asking about SAS/Academy programs. Parents can’t possibly tour the same school 2-3 times for different programs. This year it’s not just helping other parents for me–I’m doing it with them. It will definitely be interesting.

]]> Comment on What are your Choices winter edition 2011 by Rustum Jacob http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2011/11/13/what-are-your-choices-winter-edition-2011/#comment-1934 Rustum Jacob Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:25:28 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=158#comment-1934 I'll address your last point first. Parents should apply to the best school for their child. You identified a few of the factors resulting in changes the way Magnet schools are being accessed this year, but I'm still not sure about lower point thresholds. I don't have access to what number of applications are being submitted. Even with robocalls and district outreach, it will take many families a few days/weeks to finally choose the best school fit. In addition you mention the new system which might cause an initial delay in submission of application. I'm not worried about the system crashing because it is hosted on different servers than the online SIS system teachers use. As for the Board member, I've reached out to her to get a better grasp of what the problem was, I think people are over relying on the "I'm in" system. In addition to the new paradigm of online applications parents also face increased choices in the form of SAS programs and Charter schools, both of which have grown over the past few years. Finally there is declining enrollment in LAUSD as a whole. I just received this year's magnet roster and noticed some schools have reduced enrollment space. So maybe fewer points will get you in this year, but I'm not making promises yet. We hope LAUSD soon adds a person to oversee all of these options for the benefit of the students/parents/schools/district. I’ll address your last point first. Parents should apply to the best school for their child. You identified a few of the factors resulting in changes the way Magnet schools are being accessed this year, but I’m still not sure about lower point thresholds.

I don’t have access to what number of applications are being submitted. Even with robocalls and district outreach, it will take many families a few days/weeks to finally choose the best school fit. In addition you mention the new system which might cause an initial delay in submission of application. I’m not worried about the system crashing because it is hosted on different servers than the online SIS system teachers use. As for the Board member, I’ve reached out to her to get a better grasp of what the problem was, I think people are over relying on the “I’m in” system.

In addition to the new paradigm of online applications parents also face increased choices in the form of SAS programs and Charter schools, both of which have grown over the past few years. Finally there is declining enrollment in LAUSD as a whole. I just received this year’s magnet roster and noticed some schools have reduced enrollment space. So maybe fewer points will get you in this year, but I’m not making promises yet. We hope LAUSD soon adds a person to oversee all of these options for the benefit of the students/parents/schools/district.

]]> Comment on What are your Choices winter edition 2011 by Angel http://www.hopechangechoices.org/2011/11/13/what-are-your-choices-winter-edition-2011/#comment-1932 Angel Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:48:17 +0000 http://www.hopechangechoices.org/?p=158#comment-1932 I'm trying to get information on how the applications for magnet are trickling in. I suspect with the robocalls and the promise to change the school, there would be a huge increase in that first week's applications. However, tours have been down in some places, and I'm still talking to people who haven't heard about the online system, and even a board member had trouble applying online (do they really not test drive these things before implementing?). I'm mostly concerned when parents go online closer to the deadline along with teachers submitting grades (when the system crashes anyway) and how that will play out. I'm encouraging everyone to sign on early. The school district is even meeting with stakeholders to prove they've done outreach. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but I'm warning people to be aware that lower point levels just might get them in--whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. I’m trying to get information on how the applications for magnet are trickling in. I suspect with the robocalls and the promise to change the school, there would be a huge increase in that first week’s applications. However, tours have been down in some places, and I’m still talking to people who haven’t heard about the online system, and even a board member had trouble applying online (do they really not test drive these things before implementing?). I’m mostly concerned when parents go online closer to the deadline along with teachers submitting grades (when the system crashes anyway) and how that will play out. I’m encouraging everyone to sign on early. The school district is even meeting with stakeholders to prove they’ve done outreach. I’m keeping my fingers crossed but I’m warning people to be aware that lower point levels just might get them in–whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

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