Tulsa School Board Upholds Policy On 6th Grade Placement

The Tulsa School Board got back to work by upholding it's decision on where sixth-graders should go to school.

It was a unanimous vote, but some remain concerned this system gives some students an unfair advantage.

The school board zipped through this first agenda of the year, passing much of the agenda with little discussion.

But the placement of sixth graders, whether they should be in elementary schools or middle schools, has some raising concerns.

When Tulsa Public Schools consolidated last Spring, the district also decided to shuffle students. Most elementary schools now include sixth-graders.

The exceptions are the district's magnet school programs: Carver, Thoreau, Monroe, and Edison. The fact that it wasn't the same throughout the district had some folks worrying about fairness.

A taskforce of parents and teachers met for six weeks to discuss the issue. They decided they didn't want to disrupt the successful and popular magnet programs, so they recommended to the board that things stay the way they are.

Board member Anna America wanted to make sure this wouldn't disadvantage kids who attend K-through-6 elementary schools..

"We will hold some spots aside for seventh grade entry. Those will be earmarked specifically for kids in K-6. So they're will be spots for those who go to K-6 elementary to enter in 7th grade," America said.

America ended up voting along with the rest of the board to keep sixth graders where they are.

The board also changed up its transfer policy. So what was "the district of choice"... is now choice if there's room.

The new policy eliminates transfers for any school at or above 92 percent capacity - the only exception is children of school staff.

Schools at 85 to 91 percent capacity - would allow transfers for staff children and the siblings of current students. School below 85 percent would be open for transfers.

It's not known which schools would be off the table for transfer students. TPS leaders say they don't have that list yet.

11/18/2011 Related Story: Survey: Leave Tulsa 6th Graders Where They Are