ACADEMICS / PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM
Registration
Registration is usually conducted each spring at the closing of the school year, although school offices are open for registration two weeks before the school year begins to accommodate newcomers. Completing registration as early as possible is always advised. Some districts operate on a first-come, first-served basis. In order for a child to enter kindergarten, he or she must be five years of age before December 2 of the enrollment year. However, kindergarten is not mandatory and children are not required to attend school until age 6. To register your child for public school, bring proof of age in the form of an official birth certificate and proof of required immunizations. California also requires a health examination within 18 months before entering first grade, no later than 90 days after entering first grade.
It would be helpful in the case of transferring students to bring official transcripts from the previous school attended or contact information for procuring records. Newcomers must also provide proof of residence such as driver license, voter/motor registration card, utility bill, rent statement, income tax return statement, and proof of home ownership (including a mortgage statement) or any official document showing both name and address.
Immunizations
State law demands that all school districts request and maintain proof that every student has been immunized or is exempt. Parents must submit a physician-signed certificate of immunization history including the proper frequency and intervals of immunizations for polio, diphtheria, hepatitis B., tetanus, measles, rubella, mumps, and pertussis. The latter two are not required for children age seven and older. If immunizations are not complete, parents are given a 15-day grace period after the date of enrollment for compliance. California also requires a physical exam within 18 months before a student enters first grade or no later than 90 days after entrance.
For complete details on registration or answers to specific questions about immunizations, medical exams, or any other issues, contact your local school district. The following state and county offices may also be helpful:
California State Department of Education
916-319-0800
www.cde.ca.gov
Orange County Department of Education
200 Kalmus Drive
Costa Mesa 714-966-4000
www.ocde.us
Assessment & Accountability
Every district and public school in California is required by law to issue a yearly School Accountability report Card or SARC. These reports include key information ranging from the ethnic composition of the school district to test results, dropout rates, curriculum, class size, teaching staff, and facilities. A SARC for a specific school or district is available by contacting the district office and placing your request. Some districts require that SARCs be picked up on person; others will mail them for a nominal fee. The STAR web page of the California Department of Education website presents the most recent results of Stanford 9 testing as well as comparative data. Year-to-year comparison reports are available for every school, district, county, and the state.
Standardized Testing & Report (STAR)
http://star.cde.ca.gov
Academic Performance Index
https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/pr/api.asp
Adequate Yearly Progress
https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/pr/ayp.asp
Charter Schools
These privately chartered public schools cover kindergarten through grade 12 and are created or organized by a group of teachers, community members, or parents. An existing local public school board or county board of education sponsors the school. California is allowing its charter schools to restructure programs around local needs, so the specific goals and operating procedures for the school are detailed in the agreement between the board and the organizers of the charter. In general, charter status allows a school to move from a rule-based to performance-based criteria of accountability. Contact your county office of education for more information about charter schools that are available in your community or within a reasonable commute:
Orange County Department of Education
200 Kalmus Drive
Costa Mesa 714-966-4000
www.ocde.us
