NJ Parents
Intradistrict School Choice
A Q & A on Options for
Children Enrolled in Title I Schools in Need of Improvement
What is Title I?
Title I is a federally funded program that provides additional education
resources and services for schools that serve low-income children.
What does it mean to be a school in need of improvement?
Schools in need of improvement are those that have not met the state’s
performance standards on state tests and have not made what is determined
to be adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward meeting state standards in
either language arts/literacy or mathematics.
What must a school do if it has not made adequate
yearly progress?
Schools failing to make adequate yearly progress must do the following:
Develop a plan to improve school performance. This plan could call for new teaching strategies, more teacher training and/or other strategies designed to boost student performance;
Offer intensive professional development and training to prepare teachers to use new teaching strategies and skills aimed at improving student performance; and
Offer intradistrict school choice that gives parents the opportunity to transfer their child to another school that is higher performing within the district.
Is there anything else these schools should do?
It is strongly suggested that the school invite parents to help them
in two ways:
To provide input to school personnel as they identify ways to change their school programs and perhaps school operations, and
To join as partners with the school in supporting their child’s learning.
How can I help support my child and his/her learning?
What is important to parents becomes important to children. Parents can
show their children that education is important by asking what they learned
and what happened in school each day by asking if they have any homework
and requesting to see it. By doing these simple things, you can support
your child’s education. Additionally, reading with young children
and helping with homework can support their learning.
What are the choices I have if I want to move
my child?
The Title I law calls for intradistrict choice, which means you may
request to transfer your child from his/her low-performing school to another
school within the district.
What if my school district says they lack capacity
to offer choice?
Many districts do lack capacity. New Jersey is the most densely populated
state in the country. This is reflected in the high enrollments and overcrowding
in some schools. Unfortunately, many schools and districts will not be
able to offer intradistrict choices.
What can I do if my school lacks capacity and
can’t offer intradistrict choice?
New Jersey is a "choice" state that offers interdistrict options
in some areas. These choices include charter schools and choice schools.
To find out where charter and choice schools are located and how to apply
for enrollment in them, you may call (609)292-5850for charter schools,
(609)633-1997 for choice districts or go to the New Jersey Department
of Education’s Web site at www.state.nj.us/education, then
click on school choice or charter schools.
What other opportunities for choice are there
if there is not a public charter or choice school in my area?
Other than public school choices, you can still choose to enroll your
child in a nonpublic school. Nevertheless, if you choose this option,
the responsibility for tuition payment remains solely with the parent,
since this is not a free public school choice. Additionally, some parents
choose to home-school their children.
How can I find out what choices my school district
offers?
Schools have only recently been notified of their status. Many are still
reviewing data and deciding what steps they need to take to comply with
these new accountability requirements. At this time, therefore, you may
need to wait before you receive more information from your school. If
you do not hear from your school before closing for the summer, you should
call your school principal for further information regarding local plans.
