Change of School 2021 Assignment (COSA) 2022 INFORMATION BOOKLET

INTRODUCTION

tudents in Montgomery County are expected to attend the school within the established attendance Sarea in which they reside (home school) or assigned in accordance with their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students may apply for Change of School Assignment (COSA) from the home school, or the school of assignment through the IEP process, based on the following criteria:

• UNIQUE HARDSHIP—Students may apply for a COSA when extenuating circumstances related to their specific physical, mental, or emotional well-being or their family’s individual or personal situation could be mitigated by a change of school assignment. • FAMILY MOVE—Students whose families have moved within Montgomery County who wish to continue attending their former home school may request a COSA without demonstrating a unique hardship. Such requests may be considered for the remainder of the current school year only, with the exception that students in Grade 11 or 12 may be granted a COSA to stay through high school graduation. • SIBLINGS—When a student seeks to attend the school where a sibling will be enrolled in the regular/ general school program, or a special education program, during the year the student wants to enroll. »» When a sibling attends a magnet, language immersion, or other application program at the elementary level, a COSA may be approved to the regular school program for other siblings on a case-by-case basis. Such approval requires consideration of available classroom space, grade-level enrollment, staffing allocations, or other factors that impact the schools involved. The criteria above regarding siblings do not apply if a boundary change has occurred.

THESE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT A COSA IF REQUESTING ANOTHER SCHOOL WITHIN THEIR CONSORTIUM: • High school students who live in the (NEC) or (DCC) areas and are requesting another Consortium school. • Middle school students who live in the Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) and are requesting another MSMC school, or who went through the MSMC Choice process lottery and are applying to an MSMC school. IF YOU ARE REQUESTING another school within the Consortium, you must submit a written and signed letter of appeal to the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS), via email at [email protected], located at 11721 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, 20902. For information on changing schools within NEC, DCC, or MSMC, contact the DCCAPS at 240-740-2540, or visit the website: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ schoolchoice.

PLEASE NOTE: By accepting a COSA, the parent or guardian must provide transportation.

• Division of Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services (DPPAS) 240-740-5620 Fax: 301-279-3971

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How do I apply for a school transfer? 1. Child care: Parents/guardians must demonstrate MCPS FORM 335-45, Request for Change of School extenuating circumstances in obtaining age-appro- Assignment, is included in this booklet. The form is also priate supervision of school-age students before and/ available online at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ or after school because: (a) their work hours extend info/transfers/ where it can be found in six additional significantly beyond the typical hours for available languages. Fill it out and return it to your home school child care programs and activities located within the for review, residency verification, and signature by the home school or otherwise easily accessible child care principal. The school will forward the form to DPPAS programs; and/or (b) significant financial constraints for processing. limit the family’s ability to otherwise access child Students new to the school system must be enrolled care, or other student specified needs. The extenuat- and registered in their home school prior to submitting ing circumstances must be extremely significant for a COSA request. COSA requests will not be processed students beyond the elementary level. until the student has completed the residency 2. When there are extenuating circumstances involv- verification and enrollment process at the home school. ing the physical, mental, or emotional well-being of the student. Parents/guardians seeking COSAs • When do I apply? for this reason should provide documentation of COSA applications for the 2021–2022 school year (a) ongoing treatment by a health-care provider of are to be submitted between the first school day in issues related to the student’s physical, mental, or February 2021 and the first school day in April 2021. emotional well-being that are directly related to or We will make every effort to notify parents/guardians significantly impacted by the school environment; and students of the decision regarding their COSA and/or (b) a significant health issue with unique care request by May 28, 2021. COSA requests submitted requirements (e.g., frequent medical appointments after the first school day in April will be accepted only if far from the student’s home school and/or the par- the student is a new resident of Montgomery County or ent’s/guardian’s work location). there is an emergency event that could not be foreseen prior to April. Documentation supporting this situation • What if my child is receiving special education must be supplied. Students awaiting a decision on a services that are not offered in all schools? COSA must attend their assigned school until a final If your student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) decision is made. requires them to receive special education services that are not offered in all schools, then you should complete • What documentation do I need to submit with my the COSA form, indicating that the student receives request for a COSA? special education services in a specialized program, It will depend on your individual situation; however, the in addition to submitting appropriate documentation documents must represent facts that can be independently indicating the reason for the COSA request. Decisions verified. Examples include financial records, letters from regarding requests for students receiving special health-care professionals, and letters from employers. In education services that are not available in all schools the absence of such documentation, evidence of such will be made after July 1. For more information, please extenuating circumstances may be obtained through contact the Department of Special Education Services at consultation with school staff. 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 230, Rockville, Maryland 20850 at 240-740-3900. • What is a unique hardship? A unique hardship depends on the family’s individual • Are students of MCPS staff members and personal situation. Problems that are common to automatically approved for a COSA? large numbers of families, such as issues involving day No. However, consistent with MCPS strategic priorities care or program/course preference, do not constitute to encourage and support school-based staff who work a hardship, unless there are other compelling factors. in Title I Schools, Innovative School Year Calendar Documentation that can be independently verified must Schools, or Focus Schools, staff based in any one of accompany all hardship requests, or the request will be those schools may request a transfer for their own child denied. In the absence of such documentation, evidence to attend the school in which they work under the of such extenuating circumstances may be obtained following conditions: through consultation with school staff. Examples of a. The staff member is assigned to work in one of the such unique hardships include, but are not limited to, above-referenced schools for the upcoming school the following: year in a budgeted full-time equivalent (FTE) position

1 that is eligible for leave, retirement, and health benefits Certified Professional Horticulturist Program: coverage; and Sequence of related courses include Foundations of b. The staff member is a Montgomery County resident, Horticulture, Plant Production, Landscape Design and and the student is otherwise eligible to enroll in Management, and Environmental Internship. MCPS; and 2. A multi-year single course sequence, as defined c. The request is accompanied by a plan for child care in the district or school course catalog, that is not during all times during the staff member’s duty day. available at the student’s home school. This refers to a multiyear course sequence that results in advanced- If the student’s enrollment in the school in which the level study of a specialized subject not offered in the staff member works becomes an impediment to the staff student’s home school. member’s ability to perform their duties satisfactorily, the student transfer may be rescinded. EXAMPLES: Arabic 1, Arabic 2, Arabic 3 MCPS staff who do not work in one of the schools identified in this section may otherwise apply for COSAs Tap Dance 1, Tap Dance 2, Tap Dance 3 for their children in accordance with requirements of NOTE: Must be submitted between the first school day this policy and related regulations. in FEBRUARY 2021 and the first school day in APRIL 2021. Applicants will be permitted if • Is the transfer process the same for paired space is available. Sibling link does not apply. elementary schools? If the student decides to discontinue with the Yes. If a student attends a paired primary school (Bel program, they will return to their home school. Pre, Montgomery Knolls, New Hampshire Estates, Roscoe R. Nix, Rosemary Hills, and Takoma Park • Are there programs exempt from the COSA elementary schools) on an approved COSA, they must criteria? submit a COSA form, which will be approved to the The following are examples of programs that are upper elementary grades school automatically. accessible through an application process and not part of the transfer process; however, other selection criteria • What is the process for students who are may apply. assigned to Poolesville Elementary School who • Aviation and Aerospace at Col. Zadok Magruder wish to attend Monocacy Elementary School? High School Parents/Guardians must submit a COSA form, which • Communication Arts Program at Montgomery Blair will be approved automatically. High School • Regional International Baccalaureate Diploma • Are COSAs approved to academies, signature Program at John F. Kennedy High School programs, or unique courses? • Regional International Baccalaureate Diploma No. Signature programs and unique courses have been Program at designed for the school in which they are located. • Regional International Baccalaureate Diploma COSA requests to these schools must meet the same Program at criteria as all other COSA requests. See page 2-3 of this • Countywide International Baccalaureate Diploma booklet for programs exempt from the COSA process. Program at Richard Montgomery High School • Leadership Training Institute at John F. Kennedy • Can students submit a COSA request for an High Schooll academic transfer? • Science, Math, Computer Science Program at High school students may request academic transfers to Montgomery Blair High School participate in one of the following: • PLTW Engineering Program at • PLTW Biomedical Program at Wheaton High School 1. A multi-year sequence of related courses, as defined • Visual Art Center at Albert Einstein High School in the district or school course catalog, that is not • Healthcare Professions - Biosciences Academy at available at the student’s home school. This refers Wheaton High School and Thomas Edison High to a sequence of related courses within a CAREER- School of Technology RELATED PROGRAM OF STUDY not offered at • Hospitality and Tourism Management - Global the student’s home school that culminates with a Studies Academy at Wheaton High School and capstone course and/or program completion. Thomas Edison High School of Technology EXAMPLES: • Information Technology & Cyber Security - Academy Professional Restaurant Management Program: of Information Technology at Wheaton High School Sequence of related courses include Restaurant and Thomas Edison High School of Technology Management 1, Restaurant Management 2, and • Construction Management and Engineering - Capstone Internship or Dual Enrollment course. Academy of Engineering at Wheaton High School and Thomas Edison High School of Technology

2 • Middle College at (MC2) • What happens to my COSA request after it is Program at Northwood High School submitted? • PLTW Biomedical Sciences IB Career Programs at After residency verification and signature by the principal Rockville High School of your home school, the COSA request is forwarded • PLTW Engineering IB Career Programs at Rockville to DPPAS, which receives 3,000 to 4,000 requests each High School year. DPPAS completes an investigation prior to making • Hospitality Management IB Career Programs at a decision. In cases of requests for academic transfers, Rockville High School the COSA will be forwarded to the Office of Teaching, • Code.org Computer Science IB Career Programs at Learning, and Schools who will analyze the program Rockville High School request and communicate with the family. • Global Ecology at • Science, Math, Computer Science Program at • When will I hear whether my request has been Poolesville High School approved or denied? • Humanities at Poolesville High School DPPAS staff makes every effort to notify parents/ • Healthcare Professions at Seneca Valley High School guardians and students by mail no later than May 28, • Hospitality and Tourism Management at Seneca 2021. Valley High School • Information Technology & Cyber Security at Seneca • Once my child has been approved for a COSA, do Valley High School I need to reapply each year? • Construction Management and Architecture at The student may remain at the school on a COSA Seneca Valley High School until the student is ready to matriculate to the next • Project Lead the Way Engineering at Seneca Valley education level, unless a COSA was approved for one High School year only. Students attending an elementary school on • Middle College at Montgomery College (MC2) a COSA must reapply for a COSA and demonstrate a Program at Northwest High School unique hardship to attend a middle school other than • PLTW Biomedical Sciences at Gaithersburg High their home middle school. Starting with students who School enter Grade 6 during school year 2021–2022, a student • Network Operations & Information Technology attending a middle school on a COSA seeking to attend (PTECH) at Clarksburg High School the high school in that middle school’s feeder pattern • The Humanities and Communication Magnet will have to reapply for a COSA and demonstrate a Program at Eastern Middle School and Dr. Martin unique hardship. Starting with students who enter Luther King, Jr. Middle School Grade 3 in 2021–2022, a student in a middle school • The Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science immersion program must apply for a COSA in order Magnet Program at Takoma Park Middle School and to attend a high school other than their home school, Roberto Clemente Middle School including the high school in that middle school’s feeder • Middle School Magnet Consortium (Argyle, pattern. Loiederman, Parkland) • Centers for Enriched Studies • Once my child has been approved for a COSA, • Students assigned to any elementary or middle can it be rescinded? school language immersion program A principal may request to have a COSA rescinded if, • Other programs as identified by the superintendent for example, there are ongoing disciplinary infractions of schools or attendance issues. • Other programs as identified in the OPTIONS: Guide to Countywide Programs (www. • Will my child be eligible to play interscholastic montgomeryschools.md.org/departments/ sports at the new school? enrichedinnovative/options) High school students who receive a COSA out of their Students whose COSAs were approved because they current feeder pattern must attend the new school for were attending a special exempt program are required one calendar year before being eligible to participate to return to their home school if they leave that program in athletics, unless they apply for an athletic waiver. (See www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ Please call the Athletics Unit at 240-740-5650 for more enrichedinnovative/.) information. • Is transportation provided to the new school? No. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/ guardian.

3 • My COSA was denied. How do I appeal? You may appeal in writing to the OFFICE OF OPERATIONS, 850 HUNGERFORD DRIVE, ROOM 43, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850. The associate superintendent of operations serves as the superintendent of schools’ designee. The appeal must be made in writing and received by the Office of Operations no later than 15 calendar days following the date of the decision letter. The appeal should state reason(s) for seeking review of the decision. You do not have to provide additional information in order to appeal, but you should include any additional information you wish to have considered. For more information, call 240-740-4130. STUDENTS AWAITING A DECISION ON A COSA APPEAL WILL ATTEND THEIR ASSIGNED SCHOOL UNTIL A FINAL DECISION IS MADE. ALL APPEALS ARE REVIEWED ON THE BASIS OF THE DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED AND FOLLOW-UP COMMUNICATION. If your appeal is denied by the associate superintendent of operations, you may appeal to the MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOARD), VIA EMAIL [email protected], 850 HUNGERFORD DRIVE, ROOM 123, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850, within 30 calendar days of the date of the associate superintendent of operations’ decision letter, although you are strongly encouraged to submit any appeal as soon as possible. All appeals are heard on regularly scheduled Board meeting dates. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BOARD IS IN RECESS DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

NOTE: Final decision on appeals received in the Office of Operations before July 1, 2021, will be decided prior to the beginning of the school year. Final decisions on appeals received after July 1, 2021, may not be made until after the school year has begun.

4 MCPS Form 335-45 January 2021

Request for Change of School Assignment (COSA) MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (MCPS) Rockville, Maryland 20850

INSTRUCTIONS: The parent/guardian is to complete Part I and submit the form to the principal of the student’s home school no later than the first school day of April 2021. Read carefully the information provided in the Change of School Assignment (COSA) Information Booklet before completing the form. See Board of Education Policy JEE, Student Transfers, and MCPS Regulation JEE-RA, Student Transfers and Administrative Placements.

Student Name ______Birth Date _____/_____/______Last First Ml Receiving Special Education Services No □ Yes □ Current School ______Entering Grade_____ in August 2021 Home School______Requested School______Effective Date _____/_____/______Parent/Guardian: ______Address: ______Street City State Zip Code Home phone - - Work phone - - Cell phone - - Email address ______Language spoken at home ______TTY needed □ Reason for request: □ Unique hardship—please describe in detail, documentation that can be verified must be attached to this form. □ Family move—completion of this school year only due to family move. □ Siblings—sibling attends requested school in grade _____, name of sibling ______Sibling’s MCPS ID # ______□ Intent to continue in Grade 3–5 paired elementary schools for Bel Pre, Montgomery Knolls, New Hampshire Estates, Roscoe R. Nix, Rosemary Hills, and Takoma Park Elementary Schools. (Automatic approval upon COSA form submission) □ Intent to continue in feeder pattern from middle school to high school, except for boundary change, for previously approved middle school COSA (Automatic approval upon COSA form submission) PLEASE NOTE: This expires: (a) for students entering Grade 6 for the 2021–2022 school year. (b) for students entering Grade 3 for the 2021–2022 school year in the immersion program. □ Student assigned to Poolesville Elementary School who wishes to attend Monocacy Elementary School (Automatic approval upon COSA form submission) □ MCPS Staff member who works in a Title I School, Innovative School Year Calendar School, or Focus School, requesting a transfer for their own child to attend the school in which they work. Name of school in which you are employed ______. □ Academic Transfer (High School Only) Indicate the program and the name of the high school ______. The review process considers space availability at the requested school and program availability at the student’s home school. For more information, visit: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/transfers/. Click here for more information about academic transfers, school capacity, and program availability” Request forms must be submitted no earlier than the first school day in February 2021, and no later than the first school day of April 2021, for the 2021–2022 school year. In the absence of extenuating circumstances, late applications will not be processed. I understand that, unless otherwise indicated, if this request is approved, and the approved school is out of the student’s feeder pattern: 1) transportation is not provided by MCPS; 2) if student is in high school, the student must attend the new school for one calendar year before being eligible to participate in athletics (absent a waiver); and 3) the approved school principal may request to have the student’s COSA rescinded with proper cause. (See MCPS Regulation JEE-RA). The information as submitted on this form and on any attachments is accurate, complete and true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that falsification of any information submitted shall be cause for denial of the COSA. Signature, Parent/Guardian/Eligible Student ______Date _____/_____/______PART II: SCHOOL REVIEW. To be completed by the principal of student's home school. Residency Verification has been completed Date _____/_____/______MCPS Student ID # I have discussed this request with the parent/guardian Yes □ No □ School # Signature, Principal ______Date _____/_____/______(Signature does not constitute agreement/disagreement with the request but does verify that residency has been validated.) FORWARD TO: Director, Division of Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services (DPPAS), 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850 PART III: DPPAS ACTION. To be completed by DPPAS. Forwarded to: Consortium Office □ Special Education □ Date _____/_____/______DPPAS Decision: □ Approved □ Approved, to the end of school year □ Denied–No unique hardship documented Comments: ______Signature, Director or Coordinator, DPPAS ______Date _____/_____/______APPEALS: If denied by DPPAS, the appeal must be made in writing (please state reason and any additional information) within 15 calendar days of the date of this decision to: Office of Operations , Montgomery County Public Schools, 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 43, Rockville, Maryland 20850.

5 DOWNCOUNTY CONSORTIUM DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION MONTGOMERY BLAIR, ALBERT EINSTEIN, SERVICES JOHN F. KENNEDY, NORTHWOOD, WHEATON 850 Hungerford Drive MIDDLE SCHOOL MAGNET CONSORTIUM Room 230 ARGYLE, A. MARIO LOIEDERMAN, PARKLAND Rockville, Maryland 20850 NORTHEAST CONSORTIUM 240-740-3900 JAMES HUBERT BLAKE, PAINT BRANCH, SPRINGBROOK 11721 Kemp Mill Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20902 240-740-2540 [email protected]

MCPS NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) prohibits illegal discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, immigration status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, family/parental status, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, poverty and socioeconomic status, language, or other legally or constitutionally protected attributes or affiliations. Discrimination undermines our community’s long-standing efforts to create, foster, and promote equity, inclusion, and acceptance for all. Some examples of discrimination include acts of hate, violence, insensitivity, harassment, bullying, disrespect, or retaliation. For more information, please review Montgomery County Board of Education Policy ACA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency. This Policy affirms the Board’s belief that each and every student matters, and in particular, that educational outcomes should never be predictable by any individual’s actual or perceived personal characteristics. The Policy also recognizes that equity requires proactive steps to identify and redress implicit biases, practices that have an unjustified disparate impact, and structural and institutional barriers that impede equality of educational or employment opportunities.

For inquiries or complaints about discrimination against MCPS For inquiries or complaints about discrimination against MCPS staff * students * Office of Employee Engagement and Labor Relations Office of the Chief of Staff Department of Compliance and Investigations Student Welfare and Compliance 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 55, Rockville, MD 20850 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 162, Rockville, MD 20850 240-740-2888 240-740-3215 [email protected] [email protected] For inquiries or complaints about sex discrimination under Title IX, including sexual harassment, against students or staff* Title IX Coordinator Office of the Chief of Staff Student Welfare and Compliance 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 162, Rockville, MD 20850 240-740-3215 [email protected]

*Inquiries, complaints, or requests for accommodations for students with disabilities also may be directed to the supervisor of the Office of Special Education, Resolution and Compliance Unit, at 240-740-3230. Inquiries regarding accommodations or modifications for staff may be directed to the Office of Employee Engagement and Labor Relations, Department of Compliance and Investigations, at 240-740-2888. In addition, discrimination complaints may be filed with other agencies, such as: the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Baltimore Field Office, City Crescent Bldg., 10 S. Howard Street, Third Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, 1-800-669-4000, 1-800-669-6820 (TTY); or U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Lyndon Baines Johnson Dept. of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, 1-800-421-3481, 1-800-877-8339 (TDD), [email protected], or www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html.

This document is available, upon request, in languages other than English and in an alternate format under the Americans with Disabilities Act, by contacting the MCPS Office of Communications at 240-740-2837, 1-800-735-2258 (Maryland Relay), or [email protected]. Individuals who need sign language interpretation or cued speech transliteration may contact the MCPS Office of Interpreting Services at 240-740-1800, 301-637-2958 (VP) or [email protected]. MCPS also provides equal access to the Boy/Girl Scouts and other designated youth groups.

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