I'm behind on this convo, but I'd like to add to this list:
Among the barriers that Reuters documented:
* Applications that are made available just a few hours a year.
* Lengthy application forms, often printed only in English, that require student and parent essays, report cards, test scores, disciplinary records, teacher recommendations and medical records.
* Demands that students present Social Security cards and birth certificates for their applications to be considered, even though such documents cannot be required under federal law.
* Mandatory family interviews.
* Assessment exams.
* Academic prerequisites.
* Requirements that applicants document any disabilities or special needs. The U.S. Department of Education considers this practice illegal on the college level but has not addressed the issue for K-12 schools.
At the charter my DD attended briefly:
--Required tour of the school held only a few times, the JANUARY before your child enrolled, not announced anywhere so you had to be "in the know," with limited spots
--Mandatory volunteer hours (I believe it was 40/year)
--No afterschool care (selects for wealthy families with SAH parents)
--"Art fee" of $100+/year
--Hours not the same as other public schools--again, selects for families with a SAH parent because this is very hard to deal with if you have another child at a public school who is not on the same schedule and you work
