Dallas ISD pilots parental public school choice

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — The Dallas Independent School District is piloting Parental Public School Choice at two high schools. Through this pilot program, parents or guardians will have the opportunity to choose their child’s school and a variety of programs when the student is preparing to enter the ninth grade.

"The Parental Public School Choice program is a significant component of Dallas Achieves," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "This is a very exciting development in the history of Dallas ISD and is just the beginning of providing more options to parents for their students. Parents will have the opportunity to choose where their child attends based upon the programs that are available. Our goal is to eventually provide all students with opportunities that will prepare them for college and the workforce."

Only current eighth grade students may apply to the pilot program for the 2008-2009 school year. The options will be limited to career paths offered at Emmett J. Conrad High School and H. Grady Spruce High School. Parents will be able to place their child in a lottery at the two schools by completing an application. Parents can also opt for their child to attend their neighborhood high school.

Students who are interested in careers in finance, health and human services, hospitality, information and technology, science, mathematics and engineering, should apply to attend Emmett J. Conrad High School. An additional engineering academy is available at H. Grady Spruce High School. The available capacity is limited in each academy. Eventually, the Parental Public School Choice

Program will expand to include all high schools and middle schools.

"This will take a few years to fully implement throughout the district," said Hinojosa. "It has the potential to significantly improve the learning opportunities for our students."

The period of enrollment for Parental Public School Choice continues through April 11. Parents of current eighth grade students will receive additional information about the program. Also, Emmett J. Conrad High School, 7502 Fair Oaks Ave, will host an open house on Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m.; and H. Grady Spruce High School, 9733 Old Seagoville Road, on Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. All students who are eligible for this program and live more than two miles from their chosen school will be able to receive student transportation.

For more information, call (972) 925-3286 or visit the Web site http://www.dallasisd.org/parents/schoolchoice.

Source: Dallas Independent School District