I guess I could just say, “Nope,” and leave it at that, since there are distinct differences between all three practices.<\/p>\n
Yet, school administrators, personnel, board members and parents use these words interchangeably.<\/p>\n
Did you know if you have a yard sign that says, “Register Now – Classes Begin in August,” you may find that what you have put out there as a marketing message can have a detrimental impact on your school?<\/p>\n
You do now.<\/p>\n
Many educators use words that mean different things as synonyms, and then wonder why there is confusion and difficulty in communicating.\u00a0 It helps to develop a lexicon to help delineate the distinctions.\u00a0 And, as the Chinese proverb states, “The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right name.”<\/p>\n
As an example, it’s not “Lexicon of Terminology,” since “Terminology” means “The Study of Terms.”\u00a0 Even calling it a “Lexicon of Terms” can also be considered incorrect, since the word “lexicon” implies a grouping of words.<\/p>\n
“Fundraising” and “Development” are also two words that are used interchangeably in many schools, as well as in the non-profit world.\u00a0 While the end result of the processes involved is the same (the amassing of revenues to fund an organization’s work), the processes are completely different.\u00a0 Fundraising is short-term focused, and usually is a direct approach for funds through the purchase of an item or a donation to a cause.\u00a0 When a natural disaster strikes, fundraising takes place.\u00a0 It can raise a large amount of money in a short period of time because everyone knows “why” they should participate, and, more than likely, the impetus is an emotional one…not a logical one.\u00a0 Emotion controls the urge to give; the logical response evaluates how much.<\/p>\n
Development, however, is focused on the long-term view, concentrating on building relationships.\u00a0 In doing so, individuals continuously become more deeply engaged with the organization and the work it does.\u00a0 Once individuals are engaged, they can be asked to take the next step, and eventually commit financial resources (usually substantial gifts) to the organization by means of a one-time gifts or continuing (sustainable) gift to the organization.\u00a0 These sustainable gifts contribute to the sustainability and long-term viability of the organization.<\/p>\n
So what’s the difference among “enroll,” “apply,” and “register?”\u00a0 “Enroll” and “Apply” infer some type of process is involved.<\/p>\n
“Register” does not.<\/p>\n
The difference between “Enroll” and “Apply” is that “Apply” is a little more extensive, and often a priori<\/em> to “Enroll.”<\/p>\n An “Enrollment process” may have several steps to it – Inquire, Apply, and Enroll.\u00a0 A family makes an “Inquiry” to your school so they can find out more about your educational environment for their child.\u00a0 They like what they see so they complete an application and “Apply” for admission.\u00a0 The school reviews the application, and accepts the child, allowing the child to “Enroll” in the school, usually culminated by the parents or guardians paying a fee to reserve their seat for the child in the classroom, guaranteeing the child will show up for the first day of school in the Fall.<\/p>\n Simply skipping to “Enroll” may involve an application, but the distinction should be made clear.\u00a0\u00a0 Calling it an “Application process,” could cause confusion, as the terminology implies there could be many steps to applying.\u00a0 In some cases, there is an “Application process” within the enrollment process, which includes completing an application form, submitting recommendations, perhaps an essay, and in many cases, a financial need assessment.\u00a0 If these steps aren’t made clear, families may consider their children to be enrolled in the school simply by paying the enrollment fee…and that can cause problems.<\/p>\n For instance, if a child is “enrolled” in your school who requires wheelchair access, and your school is not ADA compliant, you may have to make accommodation for that child since, by accepting the enrollment fee, they are now a part of your school community because a process requiring a parent to disclose any special needs that the school would be expected to provide accommodation for was not in place.\u00a0 On the other hand, if your school’s “enrollment form” asked this question, you might be able to not enroll the child; however, you could have a legal battle on your hands, since it could be argued that an enrollment form is simply a record or a document.\u00a0 If your handbook of policies or policy manual does not describe the application and enrollment processes in detail, then you may have no choice by to make accommodations any and all children which have been enrolled in your school.<\/p>\n “Registering” children, however, is something that should be avoided, since\u00a0doing so\u00a0assumes complete acceptance no matter what economic circumstance or physical need a child has.<\/p>\n Private schools have enrollment criteria.\u00a0 Even the Catholic Bishops state that the Catholic school is a “privileged environment” for learning.\u00a0 That does not mean only those that are well-off financially are welcome.\u00a0 Rather, it means that there are expectations that need to be met in order for effective learning to occur, and the educational environment is set apart from the “normal” learning environment.\u00a0 Public schools, on the other hand, can “Register” students, simply because they must.\u00a0 Taking a cue from this practice, a faith-based or private school which may not have application or enrollment processes may charge a nominal “Registration fee” to ensure there is a space for the child\u00a0 to attend school when classes begin.\u00a0 However, a “Registration” fee infers “registration,” rather than an “accepted enrollment” in the school.<\/p>\n Please understand that there is nothing wrong with registration, so long as your school is prepared – mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially – to “walk the talk.”\u00a0 If not, you could be dealing with issues you never dreamed of dealing with…then again, dealing with issues you’ve never dreamed of dealing with is the new normal ever since the pandemic began in 2020.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Michael V. 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