March 4, 2005

Beginning this school year, changes have been made to the way a child will enter the magnet schools. In the past, there have been three ways that a child could enter the program:

1. By invitation, based on the results of the regular magnet school screening process.

2. By individual testing for Talented and Gifted. Upon parent request, a child could be tested individually and, if the child qualified for gifted services, the child would automatically be eligible to go to the magnet schools.

3. By second grade screening. Each year, all second graders have been screened for referral for gifted services. If they qualified, they would automatically be eligible to attend the magnet schools.

Beginning this spring, numbers 2 and 3 will no longer be available as options to enter the magnet schools. Only those students who accept invitations into the program, as outlined in number 1 above, will be in the Magnet School Program. Students who qualify for gifted services after the invitations are completed will be able to receive enrichment services at their home schools.

Any vacancies that occur in the magnet schools will be filled by invitation, based on the results of the regular screening process, which takes place each spring.

We wanted you to have this new information early in the spring before the magnet school invitations are issued, and we hope that will be helpful as you make important decisions about your child's education.

We are fortunate in Decatur to have high quality education for our children in all of our elementary schools. If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact Mrs. Pam Asmann at Benjamin Davis Elementary School (552-3025) or Dr. Barbara Sittason at Gordon-Bibb Elementary School (552-3056).

From the Office of the Superintendent