Corrective Action Plan
Finding number 2023-002
SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS - ANNUAL REPORT CARD, HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION RATE
SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY AND COMPLIANCE FINDING
Assistance Listing 84.010 Title I, Part A
Contact Person - Karyn Lynch, Chief of Student Support Services, Office of ...
Corrective Action Plan
Finding number 2023-002
SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS - ANNUAL REPORT CARD, HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION RATE
SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY AND COMPLIANCE FINDING
Assistance Listing 84.010 Title I, Part A
Contact Person - Karyn Lynch, Chief of Student Support Services, Office of Student Support Services, School District of Philadelphia, 215-400-6092
Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan:
There is an established School District of Philadelphia (“school district”) Board of Education adopted policy number 208 “Withdrawal From School” last revised in June 2020 which establishes requirements governing the withdrawal of students from the school that complies with the Pennsylvania School Code and Department of Education requirements and OMB’s Uniform Guidance 34 CFR 200.19 (b)(1)(ii)(B). To comply with regulatory requirements, the school district is required to obtain written documentation for students who transferred to a private or nonpublic school system or out of the state of PA or out of the United States. According to Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) guide for reporting graduation, dropouts and cohort data, the school district is required to receive and maintain documentation of transfers.
The purpose of School District of Philadelphia Board of Education's Policy 208 is to establish requirements governing withdrawal from school that encourage students to complete an educational program that will equip them with required skills and increase their chances for a successful life beyond school. The policy requires parents/guardians withdrawing a student from school, to enroll in another
Local Education Agency, to withdraw the student in person at the school where the student is enrolled. The policy states that, “No student of compulsory school age shall be permitted to withdraw without the written consent of a person in parental relation and supporting documentation.”
Although the policy is communicated, not all schools have maintained the written documentation required. Moving forward the school district will provide periodic reminders of the policy to all school leaders and secretaries who enroll and withdraw students. In addition, the Office of Student Support Services administrators will validate with principals that they are maintaining the records for withdrawing students in a safe and central location at their school offices. These strengthened procedures to include a reminder notification to school leaders and secretaries and random audits of WD03 transfers will be implemented by the end of the School Year 2024.