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OPEN ENROLLMENTNew and Re-Enrollment Procedures

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pg. 1 Overview

Pg. 2-3 FAQs

Pg. 4 Checklist for Required Supporting Documents

Pg. 5-7 Information and Procedures

The Coppell Independent School District has developed this booklet as a resource for par-ents who might be considering Open Enrollment as an option for their child. This booklet includes program guidelines and procedures, a checklist, and frequently asked question-sAny additional questions may be directed to the Open Enrollment administrator by e-mail at [email protected].

HISTORICAL OVERVIEWIn April, 2011, the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees approved the use of Open Enrollment for the ad-mission of elementary students who live within the City of Coppell, but outside the attendance bound-aries of CISD (an area which includes, but is not limited to Coppell Greens and Riverchase). Resi-dents in these neighborhoods had lobbied CISD for years to consider allowing their children to at-tend the schools in the community in which they reside. The decision was approved by the Board for a few elementary schools with declining student enrollments.

NOTE: The Open Enrollment program is considered to be a viable enrollment option by the Coppell Independent School District ONLY AFTER all Coppell ISD residents and transfers are processed as space allows.

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This change in the district’s policy was intended to create greater efficiency of operations by allowing the predetermined campuses to maximize their enrollment capacity in buildings that are already being heated, cooled, and cleaned. The move could also save a few teaching positions and gen-erate $700,000 - $1M in additional revenue for the district depending on where the legislature sets CISD’s target revenue and the number of stu-dents who apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does Open Enrollment mean in Coppell ISD?In general, Open Enrollment is the term that is used to define the school district’s ability to accept applications for enrollment from stu-dents who reside outside the school district. However, in the Coppell Independent School District, Open Enrollment specifically applies to elementary students (Grades K-5) and high school students in grades 9 & 10 only at New Tech High @ Coppell who reside within the City of Coppell, but outside the Coppell ISD attendance boundaries.

Are there required criteria to apply for Open Enrollment?Yes. During the 2019-20 (current) school year, the student’s atten-dance rate must have been maintained at 90% or better (9 absenc-es/semester, and no history of tardies), they must have passed all classes as well as all sections of the most recent STAAR test (or equiv-alent) taken, and they may not have been placed in any disciplinary program. See Application Standards (page 6).

How will New & Re-Enrollment applications be accepted?All submissions will be made electronically generating a date and time stamp, which will create a waitlist for New Enrollment seats.

When will Open Enrollment & Re-Enrollment Applications for the 2020-2021 school year be ac-cepted and close?Re-Enrollment as well as New Enrollment will begin at 8 a.m. on June 12, 2020 and ends at 4 p.m. on July 9, 2020, for the fall semester.

Can children from all grade levels participate in the process?No. Only elementary students entering grades K-5 and high school students entering grades 9-10 at New Tech High @ Coppell in the 2020-2021 school year will be eligible to participate. Should the Open Enrollment program continue, students would be able to attend middle school and New T Tech High @ Coppell.

What campuses will be participating in the Open Enrollment process?Limited spaces are anticipated to be available during the 2020-2021 year at designated Elementary campuses and New Tech High @ Coppell. **Only families with students already attending CISD through the Open Enrollment program may apply for a sibling to attend at the same school, however, placement is NOT guaranteed.

Can I choose the school my child will attend?No. Seats will be filled based on space and program availability and upon meeting all required criteria.

How will seats be filled?

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Subject to availability at each campus, New Enrollment seats will be offered from the waitlist and based on the receipt of a completed application and satisfaction of all program criteria.

Will I need to pay a tuition fee for my child?No. Tuition fees will not be charged for the 2020-2021 school year.

Will the school district provide transportation for students in the Open Enrollment program?No. Transportation to and from school will not be provided to Open Enrollment students.

If my child is accepted for Open Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year, will they need to reap-ply again the following year?Yes. The Texas Education Code stipulates that every district in Texas that has Open Enrollment must have an annual reapplication requirement.

If one child in a family is accepted, is/are their sibling(s) guaranteed automatic admission?No. Open Enrollment application is by student NOT by family. Each child must apply separately every year.

When will I be notified of my child’s acceptance into the Open Enrollment?Parents will have until 4:00 p.m. on July 20, 2020 to submit all required documents online. All Open Enrollment parents will be notified in writing of the acceptance or denial of their student’s application by July 31, 2020. They will then have until close-of-business on August 3, 2020 to accept or reject (in writing) the offer to attend CISD for the 2020-2021 school year.

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CHECKLISTfor Required Supporting Documents Once notified, please be sure you have access to and are able to electronically submit the following documents required by the Dis-trict, during the period of June 12 – July 9, 2020, for your student’s Open Enrollment application. An incomplete application will not be accepted.

NOTE: All of the Open Enrollment requirements (www.coppellisd.com/enrollment) must also be met at the time of registration at the campus. The student may not start school on August 12, 2020, until those requirements are satisfied.

**For all New AND Re-Enrolling Open Enrollment Applicants:

____ A current utility bill (Example: water, electricity, natural gas, ONLY) *NO cell phone bills.

____ Copy of one parent/guardian driver’s license showing your current Coppell address. Receipt of ap-plication of new license will be accepted. *NO out-of-state licenses will be accepted.

____ If renting, a copy of your lease executed by landlord and tenant with student’s name listed as an oc-cupant. If you have moved, a new lease is required to be submitted with the re-enrollment application by the July 9, 2020 deadline. If the lease on file will expire prior to August 12, 2020, a copy of your new lease must be provided before the school year begins.

____ Final Report Cards from 2019-2020, showing yearly attendance and grades (Not required for Kin-dergarten applicants)

____ “Coppell ISD Open Enrollment New OR Re-enrollment” online application form.

**For New Open Enrollment Applicants Only:

____ If student is applying for 4th grade or above, 2019 state assessment (STAAR) results OR equivalent if the student is currently attending an out-of-state, private, OR home school.

** For Re-Enrollment Applicants Only:

____ Re-Enrollment Applicants DO NOT need to submit STAAR results (CISD will already have them).

INFORMATION & PROCEDURESThese pages include the information and procedures listed in your appli-cation. PLEASE KEEP THIS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

General InformationCoppell ISD (CISD) will be accepting online applications for Open Enroll-ment at selected campuses for students who reside outside the atten-dance zone for Coppell ISD, but inside the city limits of Coppell, TX, AND who will be attending grades Kindergarten through the 5th grade (9th – 10th grade also offered at New Tech High @ Coppell only) during the2020-2021 school year. The number of openings for Open Enrollmentstudents is limited and will be determined by CISD administration basedupon campus and grade level capacity, growth projections, teacher allo-cations, and/other administrative considerations. Open Enrollment Pro-gram students are NOT eligible to apply for a campus transfer. They will be assigned to a campus by CISD.Preference is given to students who are already in attendance and to incoming Kindergartners with oldersiblings admitted through Open Enrollment. New Open Enrollment applications must be completed onlineincluding submission of the additional required application documents stated herein. There will not be atuition fee for students accepted through the Open Enrollment process for the current school year; however,this waiver of fees may be reviewed annually. The CISD Board of Trustees reserves the right to discontinuethe Open Enrollment process at the end of any successive school year. The Texas Education Code requiresthat Parents apply and re-enroll their students each school year. (see Coppell ISD Board Policy FDA (LOCAL))

TransportationAny student who requests and accepts Open Enrollment approval to a school through the Open Enrollment process shall be required to provide his or her own transportation to and from school.

Application Timeline for the 2020-2021 school year

Open Enrollment New and Re-Enrollment Students1. Applications for New AND Re-enrollees to the Open Enrollment program will be electronically accepted

8:00 a.m. June 12, 2020 through 4:00 p.m. July 9, 2020. This will create a waitlist based on date andtime stamp.

2. New Enrollment AND Re-enrollment Parents will be notified in writing of acceptance by July 31, 2020close-of-business. Failure to submit a completed application (including all required documents – seeChecklists on page 5 of this booklet) by July 20, 2020 will be deemed as a rejection, and the seat will beforfeited and offered to the next student on the Wait list.

3. Parents of accepted students will have until the close-of-business on August 3, 2020, to accept or rejectthe offer (in writing) to attend the Coppell ISD.

4. If there are not enough seats for every applicant, a Wait list will remain open and parents will be notifiedof placement in order of receipt of their time-stamped application.

5. Upon acceptance, all of the accepted students must immediately call the campus they will attend andschedule an appointment to register.

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INFORMATION & PROCEDURESWait ListEvery New Open Enrollment applicant will be placed on the wait list in order of date and time stamp of their submission (including receipt of ALL required documents). Offers will be made from the Wait list in the order in which receipt of ALL completed applications are received.

Application StandardsAll applications for Open Enrollment are required to meet the following standards in the areas of attendance, grades, tests, and discipline. The student must:• Offer proof of 90% attendance for the previous year and the most recent nineweek grading period.• Be passing all classes currently and for the last semester completed.• Have passed all portions of their latest state test/assessment exam. Students from home school, pri-

vate school, or nonaccredited school must show satisfactory scores on standardized achievement tests atthe 50th percentile or above and/or successful achievement on district-delivered academic tests.

• Have no more than one disciplinary infraction (e.g. the equivalent of an “N” or “Needs Improvement”)for the previous semester and the most recent nine-week grading period and that disciplinary infractionmust not include in or out of school suspensions, or infractions with the equivalent of a “U” of “Unac-ceptable” conduct for the previous semester and the most recent nine-week grading period.

Beyond ElementaryThere is no guarantee that an existing Open Enrollment student will be attending a particular or requested middle school. While every effort will be made to follow the elementary to middle school feeder pattern, middle school placement after the 5th grade will be determined by CISD administration based on seat/space availability.

ApprovalNew seats will be offered for admission based on space and program availability, upon meeting all required criteria, and in order of position on the wait list.

DenialReasons for denial of application include:• Failure to meet the District’s criteria for Open Enrollment• History of poor attendance, late arrivals, late pick-ups, and/or disciplinary infractions• Falsification of information on the application and/or related documents• Failing grades• Failing current state standardized assessments or other recognized tests• Limited space availability• Limited campus staffing• Elementary projection exceeds 21 per class average for K-4 at a designated campus• Elementary projection exceeds 23 per class average for fifth grade at a designated campus• Student projections exceed 540 students for designated footprint elementary school• Students that move out of the Open Enrollment attendance zone

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INFORMATION & PROCEDURESReasons for Revocation During and/or at End of School Year• Repeated failure to abide by the rules specified in the CISD Student Code of Conduct• Student commits a disciplinary infraction that mandates removal to the DAEP or JJAEP• Documented pattern of late arrivals, late pick-ups, and/or poor attendance• Lack of parental support of Open Enrollment Program procedures and/or campus policies, practices, or

regulations, including any tutoring assistance offered by the campus• Falsification of information• Failure to meet the Open Enrollment criteria annually

Procedures for Revoking an Open Enrollment• Campus administrator must present Reason (s) for recommended revocation to designee in central ad-

ministration to obtain a concurring opinion• Campus administrator must hold a conference with the parent and inform the parent of the revocation

and the reason(s) for the revocation• Revocation will result in immediate and permanent expulsion from the Open Enrollment program

Other Notables• Students entering kindergarten are exempt from prior year attendance and academic standards, except

as required should there be a January (mid-year) admittance. Students must turn 5 years old by Septem-ber 1, 2020.

• As required by the Texas Education Code, ALL “Open Enrollment” students must reapply and qualify an-nually.

• The Coppell ISD Board of Trustees may expand or discontinue the Open Enrollment program at the end ofany given school year.

• Application is by student and NOT FAMILY. This is required because the student is applying for a specificempty seat in a specific grade at a campus designated as eligible. There is no guarantee that siblings willbe approved to attend Coppell ISD, or a specified campus through the Open Enrollment process.

• Students who qualify and are accepted into the Open Enrollment program for 9th or 10th grade at NewTech High @ Coppell are NOT eligible for transfer to Coppell High School.

• Participation in UIL activities shall be in accordance with all applicable UIL regulations.

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