Growth Management Glossary
December 12, 2005 - The 2006 Growth Management proposal describes efforts to fill the new schools opening for 2006-07. Here is further explanation of some of the terms used by school administrators in describing the proposal.
Attendance Area - Each year, the Board of Education reviews its growth management plan and makes adjustments to each school's attendance area when needed. Attendance area boundaries are shown on maps approved by the board. Policy calls on the board to completed its growth management plan by May 1 of each year, including assignment of exceptional children.
Base population - A school's base population includes the students assigned to the school serving the attendance area in which the students' parent or court-appointed custodian resides. The Board of Education designates each school's attendance area in the growth management plan.
Capacity - WCPSS policy calls for the school system to best use its facilities including addressing crowding (projected enrollment should be between 85% and 115% of approved campus capacity). New schools may operate with less than 85% of capacity enrolled if some grade levels will not be assigned during the first year or if significant growth is anticipated in the following years.
Diversity - Diversity is a consideration in the growth management process. It is a strategy used to positively impact student achievement. Research has shown that if there is a high concentration of either low student achievement or students receiving free and reduced price lunch in a single school, all students in that school will have a harder time trying to learn.
Grandfathering - Students who have been assigned to an existing school may remain at their original school, with the condition that they provide their own transportation. Fourth-, fifth-, seventh-, eighth-, 11th-, and 12th-graders are given the option to remain at their original school, when reassigned to an existing school.
Modular classroom unit - A modular unit is similar to a building wing. Typically, there are three or four classrooms on either side of a hallway, as well as restrooms and administrative space. Modulars must meet the same building codes as brick and mortar schools.
Node - A geographic area designated by the school system when the student assignment process first began in the 1980s to assign groups of students to schools. Each node has a defined profile and is assigned to the same elementary, middle, and high schools. Nodes may be subdivided as the area population grows. A group of nodes make up a school's designated base attendance area.