School administrators and administrative staff are often faced with a number of challenging issues regarding enrollment of new students. A common issue is whether a school district can register a child where the school district has not received the child’s prior educational records, including disciplinary records.
A school district may not deny enrollment for failing to provide educational records. The school district should contact the child’s former school for a copy of the records. The former school is required to forward the records within 10 business days. Even if the former school fails to send the records in a timely manner (or at all) the school district should enroll the student.
School districts may also be able to obtain some disciplinary information through the Parent Registration Statement. It is important to remember a school district may not deny enrollment based on the information contained in a disciplinary record or the Parent Registration Statement. However, given the nature of an offense, the school district may have other options available including alternative educational placements.
As challenging issues arise during the enrollment process don’t hesitate to contact me with your questions. A simple phone call can save your school from facing a complaint filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
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