More than one-quarter of the children pre-registered for state-run schools in New Orleans don't yet have reserved seats because their parents haven't finished registration, the state Department of Education said Thursday.

Alex Brandon / Associated Press

Tehya Holmes, 6, gets a few books from Mary Bliss who is helping parents at a forum to help parents understand the choices of schools in the upcoming school year in New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006.

Parents who preregistered online or by phone must sign the papers and provide supporting documents by 5 p.m. Saturday for the "Recovery School District" schools.

Parents can do this at any of three registration centers: Benjamin Banneker Elementary, Henderson Elementary and Joseph Clark Senior High, the department said. The centers will be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It said 6,900 students have preregistered, but only 5,000 have completed registration. This requires a proof of address such as a utility or phone bill as well as the child's Social Security card, birth certificate and immunization card. Parents whose children have individualized education programs should bring those, too.

Students not fully registered by Saturday evening will be dropped from the rolls and will have to reapply in person.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)