Changes to prevent sitting on charter spots THIS YEAR?? Maybe!

[Anonymous]

My cousin's friend's aunt's gardener... also works in a charter school. (Ok, that part is a joke, but this from a teacher at a charter is not): Nothing finalized, nothing definite, and yes, this is the internet, so take this with a pound of salt, but:

It just may happen that some of the most popular charters may coordinate their acceptance lists THIS YEAR to try to see who has accepted spots at more than one charter school! I do NOT think the idea is that any school would automatically drop someone on more than one list, but it may be that people will be asked which school they choose and need to make a choice, well before the first day of school!

I think THAT is awesome, and I have no idea if it'll happen, or how consistent it will be, but the fact that it's being recognized as a problem for THIS enrollment season is fantastic!

This shouldn't be news to anyone, but if you either have been accepted at more than one or you have great WL numbers for more than one, highly recommend you start doing your research NOW, get to the school, any open houses (most of them will be doing more of them), search the threads here, etc. You may just have to give an answer before you're choosing which school to deliver your child to in Aug/Sept.

And that is only fair!

[Anonymous]

The PCSB is sharing intel with all of the charter schools regarding students who have accepted at multiple schools, and families will be required to make a choice in April. In addition, the PCSB will also tell schools who have students who have accepted at one school if they are waitlisted at other schools and where they fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PCSB is sharing intel with all of the charter schools regarding students who have accepted at multiple schools, and families will be required to make a choice in April. In addition, the PCSB will also tell schools who have students who have accepted at one school if they are waitlisted at other schools and where they fall.

So this is definite? Or still in the "it may happen" realm?

If it's a done deal, that is a very very wise decision by PCSB and it's great to hear that!

[Anonymous]

when I filled out my acceptance at Creative Minds I was asked if I was enrolled in another school and to release that spot. I needed to sign that I would notify the other school asap if I was. Great idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PCSB is sharing intel with all of the charter schools regarding students who have accepted at multiple schools, and families will be required to make a choice in April. In addition, the PCSB will also tell schools who have students who have accepted at one school if they are waitlisted at other schools and where they fall.

So this is definite? Or still in the "it may happen" realm?

If it's a done deal, that is a very very wise decision by PCSB and it's great to hear that!

My understanding is that it is a done deal to try and fight fall shuffle. It can been financially hazardous for schools to count on enrollment before count day - not to mention the anxiety for wait-listed families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PCSB is sharing intel with all of the charter schools regarding students who have accepted at multiple schools, and families will be required to make a choice in April. In addition, the PCSB will also tell schools who have students who have accepted at one school if they are waitlisted at other schools and where they fall.

Great news!

[Anonymous]

How are they doing this without violating privacy rights of parents and children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are they doing this without violating privacy rights of parents and children?

What privacy rights do you have that prevents schools IN THE SAME SCHOOL SYSTEM from sharing enrollment information?

You are obviously someone who did/is doing/is thinking about doing this. I work for dc.gov, I know a lot about privacy. What rights do you think you have that does not allow these schools to share this info?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are they doing this without violating privacy rights of parents and children?

+1, I'm all for helping alleviate the Sept Shuffle but I don't want my child's info being emailed all around town to charters I never entered the lottery for and never would

[Anonymous]

The poster said the the PCSB would be sharing information on families who had accepted at multiple schools. So, don't accept at multiple schools and your information should be kept within PCSB and the schools to which you applied.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but I'm not sure working for dc.gov makes you an expert on privacy. I just completed an enrollment packet that asked all sorts of questions about medical issues, medications taken and disabilities. This information falls within HIPAA privacy laws.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are they doing this without violating privacy rights of parents and children?

+1, I'm all for helping alleviate the Sept Shuffle but I don't want my child's info being emailed all around town to charters I never entered the lottery for and never would

Because...? I don't understand what your concern is at all. It would only be to see who is on multiple acceptance lists. If you're not, what in the world do you think is going to happen? You think the schools you did not apply to are going to start having telemarketers call you to try to convince you to apply? What exactly are you concerned will happen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The poster said the the PCSB would be sharing information on families who had accepted at multiple schools. So, don't accept at multiple schools and your information should be kept within PCSB and the schools to which you applied.

But to discover that a family has accepted at two schools ALL the charters have to compare/share note and information.

[Anonymous]

I just completed an enrollment packet today and it asked for my child's SS#. I absolutely do not want that shared with unknown people or schools I would never consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, but I'm not sure working for dc.gov makes you an expert on privacy. I just completed an enrollment packet that asked all sorts of questions about medical issues, medications taken and disabilities. This information falls within HIPAA privacy laws.

Well, it certainly makes me a greater expert than you, just from your post!

Did anyone say they will be sending your enrollment PACKET around to all the schools? Where was that said?

There is a significant difference between comparing *names* on *enrollment lists*, and sending the entire packet *everywhere* to let everyone see when your kid's last check up was and what language you speak at home. What probably amuses me most is that you seem to think this info isn't already collected, every single year. This is proposing it be used for an additional purpose, but do you really think schools don't have access to other school's enrollment info currently? Or a right to confirm/deny if a certain student is enrolled at another school if they have a question?

So since you're such a privacy expert too, let me ask you again: what specific HIPAA clauses/policies are violated if schools within the same public school system share names of enrolled students?