R EVISED M AXIMUM A GE A SSIGNMENT P OLICY Manny Allen, Director, Re-Engagement Center Benjamin Helfat, Headmaster, BATA Cindie Neilson, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Special Education Tommy Welch, Academic Superintendent, Office of Secondary Schools Presentation to Boston School Committee May 22, 2019
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BPS Maximum Age Assignment Policy 2
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Significant Changes to the Policy • Clarifies the process and streamlines the placement of overage students and designates the Re-Engagement Center as the primary department responsible for recommending placement, referral, and transfer of overage students • Students must turn 21 years old on or after September 1st to be eligible for enrollment for the upcoming school year • Provides guidelines for the counseling of overage students to support progress toward graduation through transitions to adult school programming at the beginning of a semester • Expands the range of program options in Boston Central Adult High School (BCAHS) to meet the needs of overage students in an adult education setting, including day, evening and satellite locations 3
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Proposed Maximum Age Assignment Policy, Revision 1 • Requires the assignment through the Re-Engagement Center for students new to BPS who are age 19 or older • Re-Engagement specialists will assess and recommend placement to BPS programs designed to support overage, under-credited students, and/or if appropriate, to traditional high schools • BPS Welcome Services will continue to manage the technical aspects of the enrollment and assignment process after the Re-Engagement Center meets with students 4
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Proposed Maximum Age Assignment Policy, Revision 2 ▪ Establishes a systematic proactive review process through the Re-Engagement Center whereby the district will monitor the progress and counsel currently enrolled overage students (19 years and older) on an annual basis 5
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Proposed Maximum Age Assignment Policy, Revision 3 ▪ Sets September 1st as the earliest date by which students must turn 21 years old to be eligible for enrollment for the upcoming school year. This will allow eligible students the opportunity to finish the school year prior to their 22nd birthday ▪ Services provided to students (including non-diploma bound students) and transition plans determined by an IEP will continue to be governed by the IEP through the students’ 22nd birthday. 6
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Proposed Maximum Age Assignment Policy, Revision to options beyond age 21 ▪ Provides guidelines for how the district will support students exiting BPS prior to and at age 21 as they transition to the Boston Central Adult High School or other adult education program if necessary 7
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Opportunities for Alternative Education Schools to Redefine Programming Options ▪ Schools leaders serving an overage population of students may propose a partnership with Boston Central Adult High School (BCAHS) to become a satellite adult school site ▪ The Superintendent’s Office will collaborate with the interested school and BCAHS to determine if such a satellite adult school campus is feasible (based on financial analysis and available space) ▪ Final approval for a satellite expansion of BCAHS to serve overage students within a semester or two from graduation will be determined by the Superintendent 8
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Example Enrollment Flow Chart 9
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Non-Diploma Bound Students • Starting at age 20, students are preparing for post-secondary options with Adult Services agencies • The Office of Special Education will work with students, on an individual basis, to ensure that they are well positioned to transition to their next program • The revised maximum age assignment policy does not interfere with the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process 10
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Engagement with Stakeholders • BATA Staff/BTU meeting with Executive Cabinet • BATA Student Focus Group • BATA Teacher Focus Group • Alternative Education Headmasters • Traditional High School Headmasters • Boston Central Adult High School Administration Team • SpedPac Chair • Re-Engagement Center • BPS Central Office departments, including Welcome Services, Legal Advisor, English Learners, Special Education, Finance 11
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Implications to a “Yes Vote” Overage BPS students who turn 21 years old on or prior to August 31st will not be allowed to remain enrolled in a traditional or alternative high school. Students turning 21 years old on or after September 1st will have the opportunity to remain enrolled through the end of the spring semester or following summer session. Additionally, the Re-Engagement Center will become the department that manages: ● all cases of enrollment for overage students (the Re-Engagement Center will collaborate with the Office of Special Education for students with IEPs) ● transfer of overage students from traditional high schools to alternative education schools and programs; ● transition of overage students from traditional and alternative high schools to adult school programs. 12
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Implications to a “No Vote” All BPS students will be required to exit (unenroll) upon their 22nd birthday , no matter how close to or far from meeting graduation requirements. 13
BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Revised Maximum Age Enrollment Policy (AMT-5) 14
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