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RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:
In recognition that students who
demonstrate exceptional potential in a specific area may benefit from a
specialized program, magnet programs in designated schools may be developed
with board approval. The purpose of such programs will be to create a forum
for educational innovation while allowing students to pursue their
specialized interests, develop their talents, and extend their competencies
beyond the usual scope of high school. District resources allocated for
magnet programs will be utilized to further this purpose. Regulations and
procedures for magnet programs will be established by district
administration consistent with board policies.
Magnet programs will assist in the support
of systematic reforms and will expand the opportunities to experience a more
challenging curriculum to all students throughout the District.
RULE:
SECTION 1. INDICATORS OF MAGNET PROGRAM
QUALITY
1. The magnet program has a well-developed
purpose, focus, philosophy, curriculum,
plan, and procedures, which are effectively communicated to parents,
students,
and community. 2. The magnet program reflects the District’s commitment to equal
educational
opportunity. 3. School administration and staff support the magnet program’s focus
through
commitment of resources and leadership. 4. Curriculum offerings are congruent with the magnet program’s focus,
appropriate
for student levels, and based on best-practice research. 5. Magnet students are selected according to specified criteria. 6. A talent development program exists to increase student participation of
local
attendance area students in the magnet program. 7. Magnet students and families are integrated into the total school
program. 8. Magnet teachers participate in quality staff development to enhance the
program’s
focus and curriculum. 9. Magnet teachers have high expectations for student performance, and
parents are
made aware of these expectations. 10. Administration and magnet staff closely monitor student motivation and
achievement. 11. Magnet students demonstrate high motivation and achievement. 12.The magnet program engages in regular program review and improvement. 13.The magnet program adheres to existing District policies.
SECTION 2. PROCEDURES FOR GRADES 9-12 MAGNET PROGRAMS
I. CURRICULUM Curriculum for magnet programs must reflect the mission and focus of the
specific magnet program and extend curriculum standards of Cobb County
School District. Curriculum development is coordinated by the Advanced
Learning Programs Supervisor in collaboration with appropriate Curriculum
and Instruction staff and the Magnet Program Coordinator. II. STUDENT ADMISSIONS (beginning for Class of 2008) To be admitted into a Magnet Program, a student must be eligible to attend a
Cobb County school. Applications in the fall of each year. Candidates are
evaluated on multiple indicators of potential success, including academic
achievement, teacher recommendations, good behavior, and regular attendance.
Students are notified of admission decisions in the spring. Students may
accept admission from one magnet program only. With the approval of the Area Assistant Superintendent and the Assistant
Superintendent for Policy and Planning, individual magnet programs may
develop student codes of conduct, contracts, rules, or regulations for
continued participation in the program. If these student codes of conduct,
contracts, rules, or regulations extend Board of Education policies and/or
regulations, they must also be reviewed by the Board of Education prior to
its implementation. III. LATE ENTRANCE ADMISSIONS Two categories of qualified students may be admitted to magnet programs
after the beginning of the freshman year, as space is available:
(1) Students attending the local school
(2) New-to-District students
Qualified students are defined as those who have completed the prerequisite
requirements of the program and have demonstrated successful academic
performance. Students must be able to meet magnet program and graduation
requirements within the remaining high school program. Please refer to
Administrative Rule JJIC (Student
Activities: Standards for Student Participation in Extracurricular Activities) for eligibility implications.
IV. PROGRAM-TO-PROGRAM TRANSFERS Students currently enrolled in a magnet program in Cobb County may request
to transfer to another Cobb County Magnet Program at the end of their first
year in the magnet program. See Administrative
Rule JFABC
(Admissions/Withdrawals: Transfer Students) for more information about the transfer process.
1. Transferring students may be ineligible for interscholastic activities in
accordance with Administrative Rule
JJIC (Student Activities: Standards for Student Participation in
Extracurricular Activities). 2. A
request for transfer is activated upon receipt of a letter from the student
and parent/guardian to the current magnet program coordinator no later than
the last day of school stating the reason for the transfer request. The
student must also complete a transfer application, which is an exhibit to
Administrative Rule JFABC
(Admissions/Withdrawals: Transfer Students) . 3. The student must provide recommendations from all current
academic teachers. 4. Transfer applicants must be in good academic standing. 5. Students transferring to another magnet program must meet the
criteria of the receiving program. The receiving program reserves
the right to refuse the transfer. 6. If a transfer is granted, the student and parent/guardian must
meet with the coordinator of the new magnet program to review
program requirements. 7. Attendance in the new magnet program begins on the first day of
school. 8. Magnet coordinators arrange for transfer of records.
V. PROBATION International Baccalaureate Program: A student who receives a grade
of D in any Pre-IB or IB course is placed on program probation. The student
is then required to earn a grade of C or above in the next magnet course in
that content area to remain in the program. Removal from the program also
results if a student:
(1) earns two or more D’s in Pre-IB or IB courses in
any given semester.
(2) earns a grade of F in any Pre-IB or IB academic course specified within
the IB curriculum sequence.
All other programs: A student who receives a grade of C or below in one or
more magnet courses is placed on program probation until the next magnet
course in that content area is completed. If the student does not receive an
A or B in the subsequent course, the student is removed from the program.
VI. WITHDRAWAL
During the first three years of participation in the magnet program,
students who discontinue the magnet program must return to their zoned high
school. Those students exiting the program after the first two weeks of the
semester may remain in the host school for the remainder of that semester
only (see Administrative Rule JJIC
Student Activities: Standards for Student Participation in Extracurricular Activities for eligibility implications). VII. MAGNET PROGRAM RECONSIDERATION Students who are involuntarily removed from the program may
request reconsideration of their removal by a review panel composed of an
Area Assistant Superintendent other than the one representing the magnet
school or student’s home school, the appropriate level Curriculum Director,
and the Chief Academic Officer, who serves as chair. The student initiates
the reconsideration by submitting a written request for a reconsideration
with all materials supporting the request, a return address, and a daytime
telephone number to:
Chief Academic Officer
Cobb County School District
P. O. Box 1088
Marietta, Georgia 30061-1088
VIII. GOVERNANCE/PERSONNEL 1. Each magnet school principal will appoint a magnet school program
board. The board will meet at least once per semester for the
purposes of program development, community relations, and
program evaluation. The board shall consist of the principal’s
designees and shall include as standing members the Principal,
Magnet Program Coordinator, and District Advanced Learning
Programs Supervisor. Magnet Program Coordinators report directly
to the Principal of the host school. 2. District-level program supervision is provided by the Advanced
Learning Programs Supervisor. Coordinators meet at designated
times with the Advanced Learning Programs Supervisor for inter-program coordination. IX. PROGRAM QUALITY AND IMPROVEMENT 1. The magnet program coordinator will develop and submit yearly a
program plan to the magnet program board showing how the
magnet program will support the school improvement plan and
meet the needs of the magnet students. This plan will include a
budget for the subsequent school year. 2. The magnet program board will develop an annual status report on
each of the indicators of program quality. This report will be
provided to the Area Assistant Superintendent and the Assistant
Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
Section 3. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MAGNET PROGRAMS FOR GRADES K-12
Step 1: Conduct Needs Assessment A. Principal conducts a needs assessment and identifies supporting research
prior to developing his/her magnet program concept. B. Principal discusses magnet program concept with
1. Area Assistant Superintendent serving that school 2. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
C. School leadership team establishes ad hoc committee to conduct needs
assessment D. Committee conducts stakeholder survey to determine level of
interest/need (Program development proceeds if survey results indicate
high interest) Step 2: Develop Magnet Program Proposal A. Principal appoints magnet program board B. Magnet program board:
1. Explains program themes/goals/need 2. Correlates program goals to District goals 3. Identifies:
a) Target student population b) Professional development needs c) Staffing and facility needs d) Local school, budget, and community resources to be
committed to establishing and developing the program e) Program evaluation plan
Step 3: Secure District Support A. Principal submits magnet program proposal to appropriate District
administrators for review/revision:
1. Advanced Learning Programs Supervisor 2. Level Curriculum Director 3. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum 4. Area Assistant Superintendent 5. Chief Academic Officer
B. Superintendent submits revised program proposal to Board of Education
for approval Step 4: Select Program Leaders A. Magnet program board develops job expectations for magnet program
coordinator B. Principal identifies magnet program coordinator candidate
Step 5: Develop Magnet Program Curriculum A. Coordinator develops specialized magnet courses consistent with program
theme B. Coordinator obtains District approval for new course offerings C. Coordinator aligns magnet curriculum with District curriculum
Step 6: Identify and Select Staff A. Principal and Coordinator recruit/reassign appropriate teachers
B. Coordinator provides professional development as needed
Step 7: Implement Program A. Magnet program board solidifies community and partnership support
Coordinator:
1. follows District guidelines for student recruitment
2. finalizes budget
3. schedules student/parent orientation
4. arranges student transportation
5. schedules classes
Adopted: 9/25/03
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
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BOARD ADMINISTRATIVE
RULE