Beaumont's GATE Students are Heading in the Wrong Direction

Earlier this week, I read an article about a school district in California, Soquel Union Elementary School District. Due to the state budget crisis, Soquel is "Cracking down" on student transfers. Click here for the article.

Yesterday, when I reviewed the agenda for next week's board meeting, I learned BUSD will be reviewing and amending their board policies and administrative regulations regarding student transfers. It appears to me the changes they are making are minor and probably won't have any direct impact on kids that have already been approved for transfers next year. It does look like they are changing the rules which may increase the control of the superintendent to limit the number of years a student's transfer may be authorized.

They are replacing...

The interdistrict attendance agreement shall not exceed a term of five years and shall stipulate the terms and conditions under which interdistrict attendance shall be permitted or denied.

With...

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that interdistrict permits specify the terms and conditions agreed to by both districts for the granting, denial, or revocation of the permit as well as the standards for reapplication.

And also adding...

A student shall be required to reapply for an interdistrict transfer permit on an annual basis. Existing interdistrict attendance permits shall not be rescinded for students entering 11 or 12 in the subsequent years

This interdistrict transfer issue is of particular interest to me because of a recent discussion I had with some friends. These Beaumont parents were telling me they were enrolling their kids in a neighboring school district for next year. I learned most of them had kids that would be in a GATE (Gifted and Talented) program if Beaumont Unified offered one. They were looking for schools in the area that were interested in providing enrichment for students at all levels.

Parents have told me how hard it is to navigate the transfer process now and how much control the superintendents already have over the final decision. They have complained about the obstacles the administration places in front of them, with the proposed policy changes, this will probably worsen.

BUSD doesn't seem to be going as far as Soquel Union but when it comes to government school administrations, I am very suspicious of coincidences. I've heard too many tmes in the past that our district was changing a policy or regulation based on the fact that other districts were. I am sure tighter controls on interdistrict will be trending across California. I am sure it will be difficult to fight this trend but I want to give our school board something to think about before they approve what seems to be routine policy updates.

BUSD cancelled their GATE program a couple years ago when Governor Schwarzenegger authorized school districts the option to roll the state funds they received for GATE students into the district's general fund. The district receives these funds, about $50,000 per year, based on the number of students who qualify for GATE through an annual test. Our students are continuing to take these tests and the district is continuing to receive these funds but no significant programs are being offered. Dr. Kayrell's administration likes to brag about all the after-school programs they offer and want us to believe there is enrichment designed for the GATE students. The district's argument is they aren't able to provide much of a program for $50,000 and the financial crisis demands the funds be redirected. 

Let's do a little math. From the discussion I had with my friends, I personally know of 4 students who are leaving the district because the district is lacking a focused program for GATE students. Some are leaving because neighboring middle schools are providing advanced college prep classes for students that would have to wait until high school if they are in BUSD.

Let's assume the district receives $4,500 per student from the state. These four students will cost BUSD $18,000 a year if they transfer. The district will also lose the additional annual GATE funds these students would have earned BUSD from the state. And he district loses four students whose test scores help the district's overal scores and keeps the district out of program improvement. There are 8,000 students in the district, I am sure these four are not the only students leaving BUSD. If there are only another 6 students transferring out of the district, the district's decision to eliminate GATE is costing them money. If I believed I could get a straight answer from BUSD, I would ask them how many kids we are losing and how many of them are leaving because the lack of a GATE program.I wonder if any board member will ask the administration. I know three that probably won't.

How does this make any sense? In the real world it doesn't but somewhere in the government school culture it does. In the real world, a district would recognize the potential and work to be the district for which students are leaving other districts. I know very little about Yucaipa's district but I know they are offering the programs and services our families want. Wouldn't it make more sense for Beaumont to be on the leading edge and offer programs and services that would encourage high performing students in neighboring districts to come here?