Application forms, ctd.
September 29, 2010
Many Gulen charter schools ask for information either on or with the application form that by law should not have any bearing on admission, but that could be used to screen out lower-performing students. Charter schools have to treat all applicant students equally and cannot refuse admission based on performance or ability. The example of the Truebright school was given on the previous page; here are further examples of what is asked for on some application forms, or what is stated on the websites or forms in connection with admissions.
Note that schools can appropriately ask for a placement test, the language spoken at home, and some other information after a student has been enrolled. However, there is a significant difference between asking for this before or after admission.
With regard to making applicants sign a promise that they will set their goal to attend college, as some of these schools do, it is not clear how this can be legal. All students are entitled to a quality education, but it is clear that not all students can go to college (there are not even enough available spaces) however much we might wish they could.
Abramson Science and Technology Charter School, Louisiana
Dove Science Academy, Oklahoma City
Noble Academy, Cleveland
Rochester Academy Charter School, New York
Many Gulen charter schools ask for information either on or with the application form that by law should not have any bearing on admission, but that could be used to screen out lower-performing students. Charter schools have to treat all applicant students equally and cannot refuse admission based on performance or ability. The example of the Truebright school was given on the previous page; here are further examples of what is asked for on some application forms, or what is stated on the websites or forms in connection with admissions.
Note that schools can appropriately ask for a placement test, the language spoken at home, and some other information after a student has been enrolled. However, there is a significant difference between asking for this before or after admission.
With regard to making applicants sign a promise that they will set their goal to attend college, as some of these schools do, it is not clear how this can be legal. All students are entitled to a quality education, but it is clear that not all students can go to college (there are not even enough available spaces) however much we might wish they could.
Abramson Science and Technology Charter School, Louisiana
- Has applicant ever skipped a grade?
- Has applicant ever been retained?
- Names of all brothers and sisters.
- List of all applicant's honors, awards or special achievements.
- Indicate whether special ed; gifted and talented; ESL/bilingual; disability.
- What language is spoken at home most of the time.
- Place of birth and date of initial entry in U.S. schools.
- Does family rent or own home?
- Is parent a migrant worker?
- List serious childhood illnesses, accidents, whether child ever had any surgeries, whether child takes any medications.
- Driver's license numbers of parents or guardians.
- Student must sign an agreement that he/she will set their goal to go to college.
- Parent must agree to 3 hours of volunteer time per semester.
- Parent must sign agreement that student will fail a subject if they fail the state test in that subject, regardless of their performance in the class.
Dove Science Academy, Oklahoma City
- Student's race.
- Job position and title for both parents, as well as name and address of their employer.
- Has applicant ever skipped or repeated a grade?
- Special health or education needs.
- List of honors, awards or special achievements in or out of school.
- Talents, interests, club memberships and activities.
- Two letters of recommendation from child's principal or teachers. A form is provided, with detailed categories that must be ranked on a scale from 1 to 10, such as "Computational skills," "Express ideas in writing," etc.
- Applicant has to sign a promise to set their goal to attend college.
Noble Academy, Cleveland
- Does the student have any learning disabilities?
- If yes, does the applicant currently have an IEP (Individual Education Plan)?
- Has applicant ever skipped a grade?
- List any chronic health, emotional or physical problem.
- Name and address of parent's or guardian's employer; job position or title.
- Marital status of parents.
Rochester Academy Charter School, New York
- From website: "Finally, we need to review report cards of all students applying to verify proper grade level placement and achievement."
- "After the initial steps of applying are complete, we also require students to take an advanced placement test. THIS IS NOT USED FOR ENROLLMENT ACCEPTANCE PURPOSES."
- The webpage on admissions has a picture of a standardized test form; it is not clear how that is relevant except perhaps to create a subconscious suggestion in parents' minds.
