Navigating the education system can feel like a full-time job. (We understand; we’ve hired a reporter to untangle it all for you.) Here, we simplify the process by defining key terms you’ll encounter in this guide
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Table of Contents
Navigating Achievement Gap:
Disparity in academic performance among student groups, evident in grades, test scores, dropout rates, and more.
Board of Education:
Elected community members overseeing each school district, making decisions on budgets, contracts, and more in regular open-to-the-public meetings.
Charter Schools:
Public schools funded by taxpayers, independent from traditional schools, offering diverse approaches. Enrollment requires application, and oversight involves a district review every five years.
Choice Window:
The period during which school districts accept applications from families seeking enrollment in schools beyond their neighborhood. Not a guaranteed acceptance, and each district has different choice window periods.
Chronic Absenteeism:
When a child is absent for at least 10% of instructional days, indicating potential issues. Check your school’s chronic absenteeism rate in our database.
Individualized Education Program (IEP):
A legal plan outlining a child’s needs and required services, reviewed annually.
Interdistrict Transfers:
For families seeking enrollment in a school outside their district, requiring completion of an Interdistrict Transfer form from the family’s district.
Lottery Priorities:
Ranking preferred schools during choice windows, entering a lottery if seats are available. Some students may have priority based on specific criteria.
Magnet Schools:
District-managed schools offering specialized curricula, such as dual-language programs or science and technology academies. Applications accepted at any time, with higher chances during the district’s choice window.
Neighborhood School:
The default public school near your home, identified through online tools or by contacting your local school district.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA):
Comprising parents, teachers, and school staff advocating for students.
Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK):
Previously limited to 4-year-olds born between September and December, UTK now allows all 4-year-olds to participate. Districts must accommodate all eligible 4-year-olds by 2025-2026, with optional attendance and availability based on district decisions.These explanations aim to simplify the complexities of the education system. Please note the correction regarding the process for student interdistrict transfers.
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