Education Flexibility Partnership Act

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Education Flexibility Partnership Act

• Don McCrone, Regional Coordinator, DFP

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What is it?

• A balance of increased flexibility with
  accountability
• Authorizes PA to waive certain requirements that
  impede local reform efforts

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Which Federal Program requirements may be waived?

• ESEA Title I Part A, Part B (Even Start), Part C
  (Migrant Ed), Part D (N/D).
• Title II B (MSP)
• ESEA Title IV Safe and Drug Free.
• ESEA Title VI Rural and Low Income

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Which requirements cannot be waived

• Cannot waive an area that would undermine the
  intent and purpose of the legislation. Case by
  case basis.
• Maintenance of effort
• Comparability
• Non-pub equitable services
• Parent involvement
• Distribution of funds to an LEA

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Continued

• 75 rule
• Eligible attendance area beyond 10
• supplement/supplant
• Civil rights requirements/IDEA

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How to apply

• Application accessible at http//www.pde.state.pa.
  us/k12/cwp/view.asp?a166q50634
• Submit before July 1 if possible

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Application instructions

• Federal Program and section to be waived.
  Describe the current program, provide the
  appropriate legal citation (1113(a)(2)(B) and
  specify the provision(s) from which relief is
  sought.

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Specify

• The need, purpose and educational goals of the
  waiver request. Explain how the district will
  continue to serve students in other schools
  affected by the waiver.
• Unsatisfactory progress may hinder approval of
  future applications.

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Explain

• How the waiver will improve the quality of
  instruction reach the educational goals and
  continue to serve non-publics.

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Explain

• The expected results to be obtained by the
  waiver and include achievement data and technical
  information. Explain how the school district
  provided notice and information to the public
  regarding the waiver request.

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Describe

• The evaluation procedure including measures of
  student performance that the district will use to
  determine the effectiveness of the request.

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If

• Applying for an extension of an approved waiver,
  explain the effectiveness of the waiver how the
  waiver improved student performance and how the
  waiver extention is in the public interest.

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Federal Reporting Requirements

• On a yearly basis DFP is required to report the
  following information to USDE
• 1. Total number, specific provisions waived,
  length, and number of schools affected. For new
  and extension waivers.
• 2. Number of AFFECTED schools (all Title
  buildings in district) not meeting waiver goals
  and/or AYP.

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Self-CheckFrequently missed items

• When determining the educational goals for the
  waiver, be sure to include State assessment data.
• Include data to support the effectiveness of the
  waiver, if asking for an extension.
• Be sure to include Title I parents with
  opportunity for input!

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Section 1113 (a)(2)(B). Eligible attendance areas

• Have you included achievement data in the
  aggregate and by building to show how the lowest
  performing students are achieving in relation to
  all other students?
• Include a comparison of Title I achievement in
  school(s) you wish to serve to achievement in
  schools NOT receiving Title I services.

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Continued

• Since any funds allocated under the waiver would
  have been used in other schools, how will you
  make sure that the needs of students in those
  other schools will be met?

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Section 1114 (a)(1)(B). Schoolwide programs

• Did you explain the schools rationale for
  wanting to operate a schoolwide program and how
  its services will differ from those allowable in
  a targeted assisted program?

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Schoolwide, cont.

• Have you incorporated the following components of
  schoolwide planning
• 1. Comprehensive needs assessment
• 2. Reform strategies
• 3. HQ teachers
• 4. High quality, ongoing professional
  development
• 5/6. Strategies to attract HQ teachers and to
  increase parental involvement

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Schoolwide, cont.

• 7. Transition services to preschool children
• 8. Measures to include teachers in decisions
  regarding the use of assessments
• 9. Conduct activities to ensure that students
  who experience difficulty attaining proficiency
  receive effective, timely, additional assistance

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Schoolwide, cont.

• 10. Coordinate and integrate Federal, State and
  local services and programs
• 11. An annual evaluation of the programs
  effectiveness

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Waiver Reporting Requirements

• Section 14401(e) of the Elementary and Secondary
  Education Act requires school districts to submit
  a waiver report at the end of the second year of
  the waiver period and each subsequent year
  thereafter that
• 1. Describes the use of the waiver
• 2. Describes how the school continued to serve
  students in other schools affected by the waiver
• 3. Describe the progress made in improving the
  quality of instruction and the academic
  performance of students.

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Thank You

• Questions?