FCS Parent Forums
Expanding Choice Options
January 26, 27, 28, 29 & February 2, 2015
Goals for Today’s Forum
• Educate families on FCS choice options and what
expansion may involve
• Engage and partner with families in the District’s
work
• Collect input from families to
inform expansion of choice
options
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Given our unique context, the District believes empowering local school
communities will best serve FCS students
Our schools
have
diverse
challenges
Local school
autonomy
Programs
customized
to unique
needs of FCS
students
Decisions
made as
close to
students as
possible
Increased school decision-making will
provide a stable, long-term framework for
improving student achievement.
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Strategic Plan 2017: Building Our Future
Five key areas to drive improvements in student achievement
Improving Student Achievement
Graduation
Rate
College
Readiness
Work
Readiness
Instruction
People
Technology
Effective
Schools
Resources
Continuous
Achievement &
Customized Learning
Supportive
Culture
Student Access
School
Governance
Resource
Flexibility
Effective Assessment
of Learning &
Feedback
Accountability
Tailored Instruction &
Supports
Support &
Development
Data-Driven
Decision Making
Strong School
Support
Operational
Efficiency
Challenging &
Innovative Instruction
Top Talent
Application of
Learning
Effective
Employees
Stakeholder
Skills
Promote Choice
Options
Financial
Stability
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What do we mean by Choice Options?
The concept of allowing
families to choose
the best education option
for themselves, given
their unique needs
Common choice offerings: Charter schools, magnet programs, alternative programs, hardship
placements, open enrollment
5
What is NOT envisioned today as part of the
Initiative?
• Adding Private School Vouchers
• Removing Attendance Boundaries
• County-Wide Transportation
• Changes to Employee Hardships
6
Goals of Expanded Choice Options
1. Improve student achievement by offering
more choice options to meet student needs
2. Provide equitable access to choice options
across the District
3. Ensure the efficient use
of District facilities and
resources
7
Current Choice Alternatives
Option
Number
Learning Community
Example
Start Up Charters
7 Schools
Northwest (3)
Central (2)
South (2)
Amana Academy
Conversion Charters
2 Schools
Central (2)
North Springs High School
Open Enrollment
Schools
2 Schools
Northwest (1)
Central (1)
McClarin High School
Independence High School
Family Hardships/
Open Enrollment
5 Categories
All
Medical need
Childcare
Curriculum
Employee Hardships
1 Category
School nearest to
employee work
Varies by work location
Magnet Programs
4 Programs
Central (3)
South (1)
Math/Science
Visual/Performing Arts
International Baccalaureate
Note: NCLB Choice and Re-districting Retention non-reoccurring programs not included.
8
FCS is currently expanding options in the
South and Central communities
Choice Option
Potential HS at Jo Wells
Total
Additional Seats
Timing
600 Seats
August, 2015
400 Seats
August, 2015
300 Seats
August, 2015
400 Seats
August, 2016
1,700 Seats
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We are identifying our values, strengths and
opportunities
June 14 – Jan 15
• Research other
systems
• Research student
needs and goals
• Research parent
values and priorities
Feb 15 – July 15
• To identify gaps
between current
offerings and needs
• To prioritize these
opportunities
July 15 – Ongoing
• To implement
development of
choice options
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We’ve been gathering information from
our community
“I hoped high school would be a
place where there was a sense of
unity and we celebrated each other’s
experiences.”
-FCS high school student
“I chose this school because of the
teachers’ ability to teach and connect
with students, staff that is there for
the students, readiness for my
student to succeed in college, the
overall feel of school and a good
academic reputation.”
-Open Enrollment Parent
“I put my child on a bus to North Springs for hours each day to
experience a better culture than the one in her zoned South Fulton high
school.”
- FCS community member / former parent
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Next Steps
• Gather and analyze input from all five forums
as well as a follow on survey
• Share with district leadership and the Board of
Education
• Synthesize data from all stakeholders to build
FCS Choice Implementation Plan
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Activities 1 and 2
• Please take the next few minutes to work through our
activities regarding choice options and provide your input.
• The remaining slides will guide you through two activities
• Click here to open the input form and begin
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ACTIVITY 1
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Activity 1: Question
Imagine your child has just
completed his or her time at the best
school you can imagine. Describe the
results you see and the impacts it has
had on your child.
Click here to open the input form and begin
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Activity 1: Question
Imagine your child has just
completed his or her time at the best
school you can imagine. Describe the
results you see and the impacts it has
had on your child.
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Activity 1: Example
Imagine your child has just completed his or her time
at the best school you can imagine. Describe the
results you see and the impacts it has had on your
child.
– Because my daughter attended this school:
• She learned how to work well in teams as well as
independently
• She’s reading at a 4th grade level in 2nd grade
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ACTIVITY 2
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Activity 2: Step 1
Generate a list of features that would
exist at your ideal school. Imagine that
everything on your list is feasible and
could be implemented. Dream big and
don’t be afraid to write down features
or ideas that wouldn’t normally be
possible.
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Activity 2: Example (1)
Ideal Features
There is a climbing wall in every classroom
There is a 24-hour counselor hotline
Brussels Sprouts and fish are served in the
cafeteria at every meal
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Activity 2: Example (2)
Ideal Features
Potential Concept
There is a climbing wall in every
classroom
There are regular, active breaks for
students
There is a 24-hour counselor
hotline
There are enough college readiness
counselors to provide personalized advice
and assistance to students
Brussels Sprouts and fish are
served in the cafeteria at every
meal
There are healthy food options to ensure
students are energized for class
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Thank you for your time and
participation!!
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Resources
• FCS Choice Options Website
• FCS Choice Options Fact Sheet
• National School Choice Week
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