I recieved a response to my COSA request today (denied...I will follow up to correct/appeal, as it is a simple immersion request), about 2.5 weeks after submitting it. Hope this helps the poster inquiring about the turnaround time.

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that the COSA office/staff make these decisions and the related Principals (outgoing and incoming schools) are told the decisions. I don't believe that the Principals are as involved in the decision making as this thread makes them seem to be.

Your understanding is incorrect. I am a teacher at a school that receives many, many COSA requests--the principal at my workplace makes a concerted effort to "keep it equal," meaning only accepting as many transfers in as we have going out to other schools. I assume the principals can be overruled by higher-ups in some situations, but they are definitely involved in the process.

Most COSA requests are based on parents motivation to make sure their kids get the education they desrve. Would not it be nice if the required GT services were available in all the home schools in MCPS, so that parents did not have to stress about COSA?

Plan to show up at the GT forum on March 22 at Magruder HS. See thread http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/221871.page for details.

Post your comments and questions at GTA site http://www.gtamc.org/2012-gt-forum before hand.

My understanding is that the COSA office/staff make these decisions and the related Principals (outgoing and incoming schools) are told the decisions. I don't believe that the Principals are as involved in the decision making as this thread makes them seem to be.