Transfers
Policies and Procedures
EPISD approves requests for students to be allowed to attend schools other than the ones zoned to serve their home addresses (Board Policy FC LOCAL). Transfers are granted on the basis of available space and for a term of one year only. Attendance zone boundaries may be modified only by the action of the Board of Trustees. The Parent/guardian is responsible for the student’s transportation to and from school and/or babysitter.
Categories for Transfer Approval:
Adequate Yearly Progress:
Students who are assigned to attend a Title I public school campus which has been identified as not meeting adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20 U. S. C. 6316 can apply for a transfer.
Barriers and/or Obstructions:
If a barrier or obstruction exists between the student’s home and the school, the student may eligible for a transfer. Barriers include:
- A freeway which has no overpass or underpass which can be used by a vehicle or pedestrian
- Large vacant land areas which are not maintained or lacking pathways
- Industrial complexes which deny regular access
- Uncontrolled major traffic artery
Buying a Home:
Certain considerations are given to those students whose parents are in the process of building a home or have contracted to buy a house in the school zone they wish to transfer to and their change of address will occur during the school year. Adequate proof must be presented.
*Closer to school:
If a student resides closer to a school other than the one their residence is zoned for, parents may apply for a transfer and permission may be granted provided the requesting school is not affected by a court order or overcrowded conditions exist.
EPISD Employees:
Children of EPISD employees who live inside the District may be considered for inter – district transfers with an approved district transfer application. Employees who live outside of the district’s boundaries must complete the above requirements as well as completing a TEA Division of Accreditation Application for Transfer Application (County).
Homeless Students
Students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, are considered migratory or the primary nighttime residence is a supervised public or privately operated shelter shall be eligible to apply for a transfer (McKinley-Vento Education Act). The parent/guardian must complete the Homeless Affidavit.
Majority to Minority
The majority to minority transfer is a voluntary transfer granted to a student who wishes to transfer from his/her zone school where his/her race is the majority to another school where his/her race will be in the minority. Majority –to-Minority transfers from students are not given preference over zoned students. They are accepted on a space available.
May Finish This Year Only:
If a student starts at an EPISD school and moves outside the EPISD boundaries, the student may finish the current school year in attendance only with an approved transfer and a county transfer application.
Public Education Grant:
Students who are assigned to attend a public school campus at which 50% or more of the students did not perform satisfactorily on the TAKS in the preceding three years or that was identified as a low-performing school can apply for a transfer. Parents must also submit a county transfer application.
*Safety:
Any student whose presence on any given campus posses a hazard to the student and/or others may request a transfer. The student’s failure to comply with the school’s policies and procedures will result in the student’s return to the home school.
Special Education:
The parent/guardian must register at their assigned campus. An admission and dismissal (ARD) must be held at the home campus to consider the special education needs of an eligible student. If the ARD determines that FAPE cannot be achieved on the home campus the ARD will be stopped and reconvened within ten days in order to give representation from other schools time to prepare to attend the reconvened ARD. If the ARD committee identifies another campus having a Special Education Program able to provide FAPE then the recommended placement will be made.
Parents will follow the transfer process indicating the ARD committee’s placement.
*Special Programs:
If the home school does not offer a particular program or class a student is interested in and another EPISD school offers the program or class a transfer request can be submitted. Student must return to home school upon completion or termination of the program/class. Students will be required to provide their own transportation to school.
*Start and May Continue:
If a student starts at an EPISD school (providing the parent resided in the area) and moves to another school area within the EPISD boundaries, that student will be allowed to remain at the school until the terminal grade with an approved transfer.
Texas Youth Commission:
&A school-age child of a Texas Youth Commission employee may attend school in the District if the student resides in an adjacent district. The parent/guardian must also submit a County Transfer Application.
*Working Parent:
Any Student in grades PK-8 will be considered for transfer if the child is being cared for a relative, friend, or nursery in another school zone, or if the mother’s employment requires that she be absent from the home before the child leaves for school in the morning and/or after the child returns home in the afternoon. This same rule will apply to a parent who is a full-time student.
*STUDENT MUST RESIDE IN EPISD BOUNDARY
Transfer Denials
A transfer application may be denied if it does not meet any of the guideline established by the Board of Trustees.
In this case, the parent/guardian has the right to appeal by contacting Pupil Services and making an appointment to meet with the Director or designee. The student will remain at the last school of attendance until the appeal process is exhausted.
Revocation of Transfers
If the student has problems with attendance, tardies, discipline, low grades due to lack of effort, or lack of parent/guardian cooperation, the permission may be revoked by the Director for Pupil Services or designee. Due process must be given to the student prior to the recommended revocation by the school administration.
The parent/guardian may appeal the recommendation to the Director for Pupil Services or designee.
Tuition Exemption for Military Dependents
A student, who is a child of a person on active duty in the United States Armed Forces and resides outside of the District’s boundaries, is eligible for a tuition waiver. The following conditions must be met:
- The student would be eligible for a free public education
- The student resides within the El Paso County.
- One of the student’s parent/guardian is on active duty and assigned to that portion of the Ft. Bliss Military Reservation lying within the boundaries of the District. The student has no record of any disciplinary offenses punishable by out-of school suspension, Disciplinary Alternative Education, Expulsion or placement in the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) has not engaged in conduct or charged with engaging in conduct, punishable as a felony during the preceding two years.
- The parent/guardian provides transportation to and from school
