In one month, students in three low-performing schools in Lackawanna County could be enrolled elsewhere.
The state's new Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program allows those schools' students from families with low to moderate incomes to apply for money to attend a different public or private school.
But the quick deadline and scant details have local educators concerned, skeptical and even angry.
Last week, the state released a list of low-performing schools, or those that rank in the bottom 15 percent based on the combined math and reading scores on 2010-11 standardized tests.
In Lackawanna County, George Bancroft and John F. Kennedy elementary schools in Scranton and Mid Valley High School in Throop are included.
Six Luzerne County schools made the list: GAR Memorial Junior/Senior High School and Dodson, Kistler and Heights elementary schools in Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Area High School and Hazleton Area Elementary Middle School.
The list took educators by surprise last week, as districts had not been notified on their school's rankings before they were made public.
"I just don't understand this whole process of trying to punish public schools, while cutting funding, eliminating tutoring programs," Scranton Superintendent William King said Friday.
Districts are to be officially notified by Wednesday, and then will have 15 days to inform parents. The state expects the process, including application and the granting of scholarships, to be completed in time for the start of school this year, a Department of Education spokesman said Friday. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the legislation earlier this month.
Families with income below $60,000, plus $12,000 for each dependent member of the household, are eligible to apply. In 2013, that number increases to $75,000, plus $12,000 for each dependent. Scholarships of up to $8,500, or up to $15,000 for special education students, will be granted.
Any student residing in the attendance boundary is eligible to apply for a scholarship - even those who attend private schools. If students opt to enroll elsewhere, their district of residence is responsible for transportation within 10 miles of the home district's border. Total state money for the program is $50 million, and is funded through donations from business, which are then given tax credits.
The Department of Education's website, www.education.state.pa.us, will be updated with more information on the program this week, spokesman Tim Eller said.
Bancroft's designation as low-performing especially surprised Mr. King because the school met Adequate Yearly Progress - the state's measure of achievement - for the 2010-11 test scores. It's also the district's poorest school, with more than 80 percent of students qualifying for free- and reduced-price lunches. Most of the 414 schools on the list are in urban districts.
"They are penalized by what I consider a ridiculous new law," Mr. King said. "No matter what, there will be a bottom 15 percent. It's not like all of these schools are in terrible shape."
Mr. King, who was on vacation last week, will meet with district officials this week to discuss the next steps. Efforts to reach Mid Valley Superintendent Randy Parry were unsuccessful Thursday and Friday, but he said on Wednesday that the 2010-11 test scores were some of the lowest ever and test scores had improved for 2011-12.
Students who receive scholarships will be able to take them to schools in the Diocese of Scranton.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com
In a statement released Friday, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera noted that the program is an opportunity for the diocese to serve even more families who desire Catholic school education for their children.
"We are anxious to explore the potential of this program for families throughout the diocese and await the final details of its implementation," according to the statement.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com @HofiusHallTT on Twitter