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Students Advised To Register Quickly

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2008

Barring changes by the Legislature, the state's class-size amendment is slated to take full effect in August as parental choices change.

What is changing in 2008-09 that will affect which school my child attends?

The state's class-size amendment, which has been phased in, takes full effect in August. By law, no individual classroom may exceed these numbers of students per teacher: 18 in kindergarten through third grade, 22 in grades four through eight, and 25 in high school core classes such as English and science.

Does that mean my child may not be able to attend the school in our attendance zone, or boundary?

It could. That will depend on available seats in classrooms when you enroll for the first time.

How can I ensure that my child will be able to attend the school in our attendance zone?

If you plan to move or change schools (including switching from private, charter or home school) to a public school, register as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could move across the street from a school and risk being assigned to another school if classes are full. This is critical for parents of children set to start kindergarten.

If my child is assigned a school I don't like, what do I do?

The district is continuing its choice programs, although space is expected to be more limited than in the past.

What are the options?

•Apply for a choice of school in your region where space is available - many schools are full. You may apply to almost any school in the district that has space if you provide transportation.

•Apply for a district magnet school or a school with a special program. If space is limited, a lottery determines who gets in at most magnet schools. Transportation is provided.

•Apply to a charter school, a public school run by a private or other public entity. Some of the 27 charter schools have waiting lists.

•Children with disabilities may attend some private schools paid for with state McKay vouchers. Children from low-income families may apply for another type of state voucher called a corporate tax scholarship worth up to $3,700 each to attend a private or faith-based school.

•Apply for a choice hardship (previously called "special assignment") if the school you want is at or over capacity. Only extreme hardships such as medical, court-ordered or military reasons are supposed to qualify. District employees also may apply to enroll their child at the school where they work.

More information and an application can be obtained on the district's Web site, www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/choice.

How is the hardship option changing in 2008-09?

Applications will be processed through the school choice office. Choice staff, instead of one district administrator, will make a recommendation. Parents may appeal to a committee of community members. Fewer hardship options are expected to be granted.

When will I know details of how the district will handle school assignments during the 2008-09 school year when there is no more room in a school or a class?

A district task force begins meeting Feb. 28 to hammer out procedures. State legislators also are working on an attempt to ask voters to revise the constitutional amendment for more flexibility during their session that begins March 4.

Source: Hillsborough County School District

Barring changes by the Legislature, the state's class-size amendment is slated to take full effect in August as parental choices change.

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