Web numbers are useful, but not the whole story

School Board members, teachers, even students are supposed to make decisions based on data.

In the world of school choice, that's often impossible.

Take school capacity numbers.

It's useful for a school-shopping parent to know how many students are supposed to fit into a school and how many are actually there.

Finally, some numbers have been posted on the district's Web site (www.pinellas.k12.fl.us). But the Web site shows only the school's permanent capacity, which is the number of students who can fit in a school if the school does not have portable classrooms.

The Web site doesn't list that number alongside the number of students who attend that school today -- and that comparison can be illuminating.

Most parents know that one goal of choice is eventually to use school buildings more efficiently; that is, to spread out students to where the seats are. That should reduce overcrowding at some schools, and fill others that have had empty seats.

As a parent, if you're still mulling which schools to put on your choice application, you might want to know whether your first choice is overcrowded today. If it is, that suggests it might be more difficult to get in. If it's not, that might improve your chances. (Of course, there's a caveat: You can't predict how many other parents will apply for your top choice school and that affects your odds.)

The capacity number also isn't broken down by grade level -- something parents might want to know.

That's one of the problems with another set of numbers, which show how many students are already grandfathered into schools. A school might look packed. But if all of those students are juniors and seniors and your child will be a freshman, he still might have a good shot at getting in.

Also, the grandfathering numbers are not separated by race. For the first four years of choice, schools must still be racially balanced and adhere to ratios. Without that information, too, it's difficult to predict where openings are.

The district had planned to put grandfathering data online but has decided against it. Jim Madden, the district's choice plan guru, points out that the application deadline is still weeks away. Who knows how many students eligible for grandfathering simply haven't exercised it yet?

"It may be misleading information, and that's the last thing we want to do," Madden explained.

The bottom line: Statistics exist on the district's Web site, in family centers, in schools. But weigh numbers carefully. Make sure you know what the numbers really show and what their limitations are. They're only part of the equation: It's not a wise idea to put a school you don't really want as your first choice just because you guess your odds are better there.

And make sure you get your applications in by Dec. 13.

You're new to the school district. You've accepted a spot in a magnet program, fundamental school or high school career academy. You think you're done, that this whole choice thing wasn't so bad.

Not so fast.

If you're new to the school district -- such as an incoming kindergartener or a student who is leaving private school -- you have more paperwork to fill out.

You must also register your child with the school district. That involves visiting one of the Family Education and Information Centers and bringing some information with you.

You must have the student's invitation letter, the student's original birth certificate and a proof of residency. If the student is entering grades 1 through 12, bring along the student's most recent report card.

It might be a bit of a pain in the neck, but you must do this by Dec. 13.

If you don't, you will lose your magnet spot.

Let's repeat, lest there be any confusion: If you don't do this by Dec. 13, your magnet spot is gone. (Magnet students are being treated like any other new student who fills out a regular choice application. They also must register with the district before Dec. 13 for their application to be processed.)

The St. Petersburg family center is at 3420 Eighth Ave. S. The Clearwater family center is at 1101 Marshall St. The centers are open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are open Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

They are closed for the Thanksgiving holidays Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Mark your calendar

DEC. 13: This is the final deadline for returning all choice applications and declarations of intent. Choice applications must be returned in person to a Family Education and Information Center. Declarations can be mailed, but the district must receive them by this date.

-- Send questions about choice to Kelly Ryan Gilmer, and please indicate whether your name can be used in the column. E-mail ryan@sptimes.com. Write to St. Petersburg Times newsroom, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Or fax (727) 893-8675.

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