With just 17 days before the deadline, the overall 2013-14 Choice Application completion rate for the Hartford Public School Eighth Graders is at just 29 percent.
Isolating the neighborhood schools from the latest data, we find that, as of January 14, 2013:
- Only 34% of 8th grade students have completed the HPS School Choice Application; and
- This compares to 53% completion at this time last year.
Breaking it down further:
- One school - Burr - has successfully engaged 100% of their 8th grade families in the Choice Application process;
- Aside from Burr, no schools have achieved more than 66% at this point;
- Seven schools have greater than 33% participation but less than 66%; and
- Nine schools have less than 33% participation including America's Choice at SAND, at 0%.
Unfortunately, the story at K-8 magnet schools is even worse. As of January 14th, only Annie Fisher, at 31%, can report greater than 10% completion of HPS Choice applications by eighth graders. Breakthrough and Kinsella, with 14 and 30 eligible eighth graders, respectively, sit at 0%. Perhaps these students are banking on getting into a magnet high school - but there is no guarantee.
The chart below shows how many more students still need to complete HPS and Regional School Choice Office (RSCO) applications. In addition, it is noteworthy that the optional RSCO applications are outpacing the mandatory HPS application.
Six years into HPS Choice, why is it still so difficult to reach a 100% application completion rate for eligible students?
- Is it because a more grassroots approach is needed to help parents navigate the complexities of school choice?
- Do many parents still not know they need to fill out an application, or think that once they complete a RSCO application, they're done with the process?
- Is this just a question of poor connections between schools and parents?
- Do parents feel dissatisfied with all of their choices, and think it won't make a difference?
- Or, has community apathy reached a level where something as important as selecting a school for their child can't drive some parents' participation?
Achieve Hartford! dedicated last week's entire Education Matters! to the question of "What Will it Take to Create a Real Education Reform Movement in the Community?" How the Choice completion rates pan out this month will be one indicator.
Here are the school-by-school 8th Grade Choice application completion data as of 1-14-13.
