Oklahoma charter school applications could be barrier to enrollment
Oklahoma charter schools are not allowed to base enrollment decisions on a student's past academic performance, income level or the abilities of their parents.
However, on their applications, several charter schools in the state require parents to explain their child's academic abilities in detail, pledge a commitment to volunteer at the school or have the student submit an essay.
In an analysis of applications for the state's 29 charter schools, The Oklahoman found some asked for nothing more than a student's name and contact information.
However, some applications require a recommendation from a teacher, ask for details on a student's discipline history or if they have received special education services.
Charter schools, which are taxpayer funded but are given greater flexibility than traditional public schools, are required by state law to hold a lottery for open seats when demand is greater than space.
Oklahoma law prevents charter schools from limiting admissions based on ethnicity, national origin, gender, income level, disabling condition, proficiency in the English language, measures of achievement, aptitude or athletic ability.
Because student demographics and abilities are not to be considered in enrollment decisions, asking for those details on an application could violate Oklahoma law, said Brad Clark, general counsel to the State Board of Education.
"Parents could potentially consider detailed enrollment application questions discriminatory and a deterrent to underprivileged children who might wish to apply Oklahoma charter school applications could be barrier to enrollment | News OK: