Q: I have questions after reading the article about DeKalb students transferring to higher performing schools and the need to open annexes to accommodate the large number of students. The article said: “The DeKalb school system has not studied whether transfer students do any better once they have changed schools. School officials say their role is simply to follow the law.” Is no one checking? Where do the teachers for the annexes come from? Was the figure 100,000 students attend different schools as a result of No Child Left Behind correct?
—Carolyn Chandler, Avondale Estates
A: DeKalb officials told AJC reporters they knew of no research on the topic in their school system. Privacy laws prohibit the public release of student records necessary to assess the effect of transferring on performance. If the government doesn't do the research, the question likely will go unanswered. DeKalb officials were asked whether the annex teachers previously taught at the since-closed Avondale High (site of the new annex), which was among the poorest performing schools in metro Atlanta. None of the annex teachers taught at Avondale High, DeKalb officials told AJC reporters. The story says 14 percent of DeKalb's 100,000 students attend a different school as a result of the No Child Left Behind law, a figure that came from county officials.
Lori Johnston wrote this column; Ty Tagami contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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