The HISD Board of Education will tonight consider giving initial approval to a new policy governing the district’s popular magnet schools, which are designed to offer a high level of academic rigor and specialized themes that attract students from across the city.
The proposed policy would help simplify the magnet school application process by calling for the creation of a standard application form allowing for multiple school choices by the student. Each middle school and high school magnet program would have common admissions criteria as identified by the magnet theme and subject to auditions for the fine arts programs. Elementary magnet programs, except for Vanguard magnets that are designed for gifted students, would not have admissions criteria.
The proposed policy would also create processes for the creation of new magnet programs and set standards for magnet schools to meet if they are to continue operating as magnets.
The proposed policy also calls for the creation of program funding formulas, which take into account program costs, unique themes, and innovation. If given preliminary approval, the policy would be considered for final approval at a later meeting.
The board’s regular monthly meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th St.
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