Seattle Public Schools' initial recommendation for a new student assignment plan has been presented to the Seattle School Board.

The district says it has designed the plan so parents can easily know what schools their child will attend all the way through high school by simply knowing their address.

Each school would have a defined geographic boundary so that, without having to complete any application, students would be automatically assigned to their local attendance area school.

Families will still be able to apply for another school through the regular choice process.

Each middle school attendance area is also a service area for delivery of services not available at every elementary school, such as some bilingual, special education, and advanced learning services.

Services for more specialized needs will be located appropriately around the district.

Optional, or alternative school programs, which students must apply for, will need further definition regarding the program itself, student assignment and transportation. To do this the Council of Great City Schools has agreed to conduct an audit this spring.

Advanced Learning Opportunities (ALO) will be available at all attendance area elementary schools and Spectrum will be available at one or more attendance area elementary schools in each middle school attendance area. The Accelerated Progress Program (APP) will have two predictable regional feeder tracks.

Safety Net Schools, such as the Interagency Academy, would be assigned through a safety net hub process, including case management.

A major goal with the new plan is to have more families attending schools close to their home, thereby bringing services closer to the students who need them and encouraging greater family participation in education.

"Families have told us that they value choice, but are looking for far more predictability in the assignment plan," said School Board Director Michael DeBell. "We look forward to hearing feedback from staff, families and community as we consider these initial recommendations in the months to come.”

If approved the new student assignment plan will be implemented in the fall of 2010.

The district will host several community meetings in March and May to hear feedback on the proposed plan.

Feedback can be sent to newassign@seattleschools.org.

Community engagement meetings:

March 21, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
John Stanford Center, Auditorium
2445 3rd Ave. S.

March 24, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Urban Impact, Main Office
7728 Rainier Ave. S.

March 26, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Ballard High School, Library
1418 N.W. 65th St.

May 5, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location to be determined

May 7, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location to be determined

May 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
John Stanford Center, Auditorium
2445 3rd Ave. S.