Parent Feedback Leads to Updates in Draft Student Assignment Proposal
September 12, 2011 - The Wake County Public School System's Student Assignment Task Force has released updated feeder patterns that provide improved options for families attending certain schools with magnet programs.
"We've listened to community feedback through 14 community information sessions this year, as well as through online comments and test driving earlier models," said Superintendent Tony Tata. "Based on that feedback we are continuing to make changes to the draft proposal."
Some parents have recently shared concerns about feeder patterns, which in earlier drafts had been closely aligned with calendar and magnet options. In the feeder pattern revisions released today, adjustments have been made that better align with existing feeder patterns.
Some of these changes now allow parents to have the choice to follow a proximate feeder pattern or request to continue along the magnet pathway feeder pattern. For example, the proximate feeder pattern from Douglas Elementary would lead to Carroll Middle and Sanderson High.
"It's important that we provide the options that make the most sense for parents whose children attend magnet schools, whether by application or proximity," said Tata. "We know that proximity remains highly important to parents when they choose a school, but we are also giving children at magnet programs the opportunity to continue on the program pathway through a magnet feeder pattern."
The updated feeder patterns are available now on the Student Assignment Task Force's website, assignment.wcpss.net.
Frequently Asked Questions
It seems like the draft assignment proposal offers no choice for kids in grades 1-12. Only kindergartners will be given a choice. Is that true?
The initial rollout of the plan would involve kindergarten students most heavily in the choice process. Students at other grade levels would be able to participate if they so choose, based on the availability of seats.Does my child's "feeder pattern" school replace our base school?
Once a student chooses a particular school, s/he may remain in that "feeder pattern" until graduation unless they choose to move to another school. Multiple feeder patterns will be available to each family.