School choice: How it works - PowerPoint Presentation

School choice: How it works April 2019

CONTENTS 01 Program highlights and timeline 02 School choice claim and special education increment forms 03 School choice report and common questions Table of contents

01 Program highlights and timeline Section break 1

School choice has been an option for students and families for over 27 years 32 districts in FY92, 189 districts (including virtual schools) in FY19 The regular education tuition rate is $5,000 per studentSpecial education increments are added to the $5,000 rateThere is no cap on special education chargesState average special education increment based on current estimates is $5,557School choice is a local programWe are working on releasing an updated guidance document 4

School choice enrollment and tuition have grown steadily and is getting closer to the statewide 2% enrollment cap 5

There are a number of important milestones throughout the year Spring: School committee voteJuly-November: DOR-DLS tuitions based fiscal year projectionsDecember: DESE publishes choice tuitions based on October 1 SIMS, releases choice rosters, and DOR-DLS adjusts paymentsJanuary-March: LEAs submit roster corrections April: LEAs submit school choice claim and special education increment formsMay-June: DESE publishes final choice tuitions, DOR-DLS adjusts local aid paymentsPost June: DESE adjusts any FY19 errors during FY20, up until June 20206

02 School choice claim and special education increment forms Section break 2

The school choice claim form allows districts to finalize their school choice enrollment for the entire year Add or remove students Update SIMs information, including special education placement codesEnter addressesUpdate start and end datesEnter special education increments and transportation amountsEnter multiple records as needed Both forms are due April 26, 2019 8

Its important that you check your data thoroughly before you submit it VERIFY that special education increments match the amounts entered on the special education increment form ONLY enter dates for individual students if they differ from the district's start or end dates (see the instructions) DO NOT include PO boxes or zip codes with street addresses USE the dropdown menu to enter the city or town of residence CHECK all addresses before submitting your file DO NOT leave blank rows in your data 9

During the month of May we work to validate your data before we submit final numbers to DOR in June Changes preferred by email to rodonnell@doe.mass.eduOnly email student’s initials and the last 4 digits of their SASIDIf you submit a new file, make it clear who the new students are (bottom of the file with comments at far right)Any issues that are not corrected before the end of the year can be handled as prior year adjustments in the next year 10

The special education increment forms allows districts to cost out services for school choice students Person completing the form should have CB training Form includes students who had special education increments in FY18If there were no students reported last year, then a blank file is availableDo not change the filenameAdd, remove, or update student information based on valid IEPs to cost out servicesChanges made to a student’s IEP during the year may require 2 placement records to cost out services Increment forms are subject to audit 11

Important changes that may affect claiming on the special education increment form Mobility Training: Name changed to Orientation and Mobility and moved from row 42 to row 26. OSD authorization required for unapproved programs and Individual Price Authorizations (IPAs)New online process for IPAs > $20/hourOut-of-state public programs: Any costs for additional services must be claimed as supplemental in-districtSettlement agreements must lead to an IEP and if placed in unapproved program, OSD authorization is required 12

03 School choice report and common questions Section break 3

School districts are required to accept school choice students unless they vote otherwise All districts must report their school choice participation plans by  June 1, 2019Starting in FY20, we are fully implementing an electronic reporting system, eliminating the need to submit letters or emails: http://bit.ly/2mOotdY If you still plan to participate, your school committee does NOT need to vote, but you still need to complete the form 14

Common questionsCan sending districts see special education increment form? Yes, upon request Can siblings be given preference in lottery? Yes, if there are openingsCan choice pupils be out-placed? YesCan a resident student who moves out of town mid-year be converted to choice? Only if the district has open seats (no lottery) How is split custody handled? Adjust start/leave dates, add extra record if both towns are out of the district Can a student choice in to free FDK if their home district doesn’t offer it? YesWho receives Chapter 70 aid for choice students? Sending district Can teachers’ non-resident children get preference in the lottery? No 15

Contacts School choice claim form Rob O’Donnell rodonnell@doe.mass.edu Special education increment formElena DeMelinedemelin@doe.mass.eduProgram questionsMarnie Jainmjain@doe.mass.edu 16

THANK YOU Thank you