The Final Report - Malcolm Shabazz City High School, Madison WI

Decision Item #4: REDUCE NON-MANDATED ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM OFFERINGS (cont.)Option B: (cont.)SAPAR is not the District’s only single parent program option. Singleparents also have options in their home schools, and can participate inthe single parent program (a citywide program to help parent studentsobtain schooling and skills – includes social worker, assistancelocating child care, advocacy, and other assistance). A study of asample of SAPAR participants indicates that students in the programexperienced an average 17 percent increase in attendance. Theprogram also graduated 8 students in 2000-2001. Elimination of theprogram would result in reduction in alternative costs of $375,000,partially offset by home school increases (assuming an offsettingincrease of three home school teachers for approximately $180,000)for a net savings of approximately $195,000.The law also requires that transportation services be provided tohomeless students, at the request of the parent or guardian, to andfrom the student’s school of origin. The law does not specify the typeof transportation that must be provided.The District’s policy has been to provide a high level of service (oftentaxicab) toward the goal of maximizing students’ attendance. Provisionof services through city bus passes (for the student and guardian)would result in substantial savings (assuming current participationlevels and bus passes provided to the child and guardian at MadisonMetro advertised rates, at least $130,000 could be saved annually). Nooutcome data on the attendance rates for homeless students receivingtransportation services were available, nor is it possible to determinewhat the effect on attendance might be if transportation services wererealigned.Option C: MMSD provides medical homebound services for studentswho are physically or emotionally unable to attend school for extendedperiods. Students in this program meet for two hours a day with ateacher who receives lesson plans and materials from the student’shome school teacher. Although placement in this program is providedon a case by case basis, the guidelines have historically allowedplacement for a variety of conditions, such as anxiety or school phobia.If this program were reconstructed to more rigorously define eligibility,significant savings could be achieved. For example, the District hasachieved significant savings of approximately $150,000 (assuming firstsemester trends continue throughout the year) during the 2001-2002year by restricting eligibility primarily to students involved in expulsionhearings (where the law requires services). If the homeboundinstruction were not available for the array of medical conditions it hasbeen historically provided, students could still complete courseworkfrom the home school.Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP Page 56March 11, 2002