Friday Reuters published an article raising some disturbing issues concerning the way some charter schools around the nation create barriers to certain families. The Reuters article describes how certain charter schools require for applicants such things as lengthy essays, birth certificates, mandatory interviews, documentation of disabilities, or letters of reference.
Such requirements create subtle and not-so-subtle barriers to families. They violate the core principle that charter schools are public schools, open to all students.
These types of barriers are not permitted in DC.
PCSB for the past several years has reviewed the application forms of all DC charter schools. We reject any application forms that request more than such basic information as name, address, age, grade level, and the presence of a sibling in a school. Schools may not ask for information on special education status, disciplinary history, or family income. They may not create barriers to students applying to their schools.
PCSB goes beyond this. We call schools posing as parents with special needs students who wish to apply to the school. We document whether the school puts up barriers or counsels students to apply elsewhere, and then work with the school to correct their practices. (For the record, we find very few violations.)
Once a student has applied, the school holds a lottery if they have more applicants for a grade than they have spaces. If a student wins the lottery and is admitted, the school may then ask for more extensive information to enable them to properly serve the admitted student. This includes income (for free lunch qualification), and special education status (so that the school can immediately begin delivering appropriate special education services.)
The Reuters article raises troubling issues that policy makers and legislators need to look into urgently. It's important to note that the practices they document are already prohibited in DC.
Friday Reuters published an article raising some disturbing issues concerning the way some charter schools around the nation create barriers to certain families. The Reuters article describes...