LEA and School Improvement requirements for Title I

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LEA and School Improvement requirements for Title
I

• Regional Technical Assistance Sessions May,2009

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LEA and school improvement requirements for Title
IOverview of School Improvement Status

• A school becomes identified after two consecutive
  years of failing to make Adequate Yearly Progress
  (AYP)
• students Proficient and above in reading and
  math
• 95 participation rate on Delaware State Test
• Additional academic indicators
• Elementary and middle schools increased
  improvement all areas
• High schools graduation rate
• A school exits improvement if it makes AYP for
  two consecutive years
• A district can also be identified as being in
  need of improvement

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LEA and School Improvement Requirements for Title
IConsequences for Title I Schools
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LEA and School Improvement Requirements for Title
IConsequences for Title I Schools
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Title I School Improvement Requirements
Corrective ActionWhen a school is in corrective
action the LEA must implement one of the
following

• Replace the school staff who are relevant to the
  failure to make AYP.
• Institute and fully implement a new curriculum,
  including
• providing appropriate HQPD for all relevant
  staff,
• based on scientifically based research and
• offers substantial promise of improving
  educational achievement for low-achieving
  students and enabling the school to make AYP.
• Significantly decrease management authority at
  the school level.
• Appoint an outside expert to advise the school on
  its progress toward making AYP, based on its
  revised school plan
• Extend the school year or school day for the
  school.
• Restructure the internal organizational structure
  of the school.
• Section 1116(b)(7)(c), ESEA

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Title I School Improvement Requirements
Planning for RestructuringWhen a school in
corrective action misses AYP, the LEA must
select at least one of the restructuring options
and plan to carry it out the following year

• Reopening the school as a public charter school.
• Replacing all or most of the school staff
  (including the principal) who are relevant to the
  failure to make AYP.
• Entering into a contract with an entity (ex
  private management company) with a demonstrated
  record of effectiveness, to operate the public
  school.
• Any other major restructuring of the school's
  governance arrangement that makes fundamental
  reforms (ex significant changes in the school's
  staffing and governance) to improve student
  achievement in the school and that has
  substantial promise of enabling the school to
  make AYP
• Section 1116(b)(8), ESEA

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Title I School Improvement Requirements
Planning for and Restructuring

• The LEA must
• Promptly notify parents and teachers at the
  school of the alternate governance planning
• provide the teachers and parents with an adequate
  opportunity to
• comment before taking any action under those
  subparagraphs and
• participate in developing any restructuring plan
• If AYP is not met, the plan is implemented the
  following year and the school is restructured
• Section 1116(b)(8), ESEA

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LEA and school improvement requirements for Title
IOverview of LEA Improvement Status (DI)

• An LEA becomes identified after two consecutive
  years of failing to make Adequate Yearly Progress
  (AYP)
• The SEA is required to
• notify all families in the LEA of the Improvement
  status
• Provide TA related to Planning support to LEA
  schools in improvement parents and high-quality
  professional development
• AYP for an LEA is determined by aggregating the
  results of
• academic achievement measures in reading/language
  arts and mathematics, student participation rates
  in state tests,
• graduation rates, and,
• for elementary and middle schools, rates of
  progress for other State-determined academic
  indicator.
• Tested subgroups that are not large enough to
  meet the minimum group size at an individual
  school will, in many cases, reach/surpass that
  number at the LEA level, and be included in the
  calculation of whether or not the LEA has made
  adequate progress
• An LEA exits improvement if it makes AYP for two
  consecutive years
• Section 1116(c), ESEA

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LEA and School Improvement Requirements for Title
IConsequences for LEAs
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Title I LEA Improvement Requirements Years 1
and 2 - Plan

• Developed no later than 90 days after
  identification.
• LEA must consult with parents, school staff, and
  others
• Specifically, the plan must
• Address the fundamental teaching and learning
  needs of the LEAs schools, especially the
  academic problems of low-achieving students
• Define specific measurable achievement goals and
  targets for each of the student subgroups whose
  disaggregated results are included in the States
  definition of AYP
• Incorporate strategies (scientifically based
  research) that will strengthen instruction in
  core academic subjects
• Include, as appropriate, student learning
  activities before school, after school, during
  the summer, and during any extension of the
  school year
• Provide high-quality professional development for
  instructional staff that focuses primarily on
  improved instruction
• Include strategies to promote effective parental
  involvement in schools
• Address why the LEAs previous plan did not bring
  about increased student academic achievement.
• specify the fiscal responsibilities of the LEA
  and detail the required technical assistance that
  the SEA will provide.
• Section 1116(c)(7)(A) ESEA

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Title I LEA Improvement Requirements Years 3
and beyond Corrective Actions

• The SEA must
• substantially and directly respond to serious
  instructional, managerial, and organizational
  issues in the LEA that impact student proficiency
  in the core academic subjects of reading and
  mathematics
• continue to ensure that the LEA gets technical
  assistance and
• take at least one of the following corrective
  actions, as consistent with State law
• Defer programmatic funds or reduce administrative
  funds
• Institute and fully implement a new curriculum
  based on State and local content and academic
  achievement standards that includes appropriate,
  scientifically research-based professional
  development for all staff
• Replace LEA personnel who are relevant to the
  inability of the LEA to make AYP
• Remove individual schools from the jurisdiction
  of the LEA and arrange for their public
  governance and supervision
• Appoint a receiver or trustee to administer the
  affairs of the LEA in place of the superintendent
  and school board and/or
• Abolish or restructure the LEA.
• Section 1116(c)(7)(A) ESEA

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ED- Flex requirements for Title I
Regional Technical Assistance Sessions May,2009
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Ed- Flex

• DDOE authority to waive certain requirements
• implementation of certain federal and state
  programs contained in the Consolidated
  Application of Sub-Grant Programs
• promote innovative strategies for educational
  improvements in schools and LEAs
• Title I Part A, B, C, and D
• Other programs
• Title II A Subparts 2 and 3
• Title II D Subpart 1
• Title III Subpart 4
• Title IV Subpart 1 and
• Carl B. Perkins Vocational and Technical
  Education Act

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Ed- Flex What program regulations may not be
waived?

• IDEA
• obligations with respect to any civil
  rights-related orders
• the underlying purposes of the (requested)
  program
• Title I specific
• sections 1111 (state plans) and 1116(school
  improvement)
• maintenance of effort
• comparability of services
• equitable participation of private schools
• parental participation and involvement
• the distribution of funds to local educational
  agencies
• supplement, not supplant non-federal funds and
• applicable civil rights requirements
• serving eligible school attendance areas in rank
  order
• selection of a school attendance area or school
• (exception SEA may allow a school attendance
  area/school to participate in Title I Part A if
  the of low-income children in the school
  attendance area/school is not less than 10 below
  the lowest Title I eligible school or attendance
  area

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Ed- Flex Process

• Written request to DDOE (Spring Now Fall Nov)
• Identify
• the name of the LEA and school
• the reason for requesting the waiver
• the federal and/or state regulation to be waived,
  
• the program goals and objectives impacted by the
  waiver
• the timeframe for the requested waiver
• evidence of school community involvement in
  decision, and
• The monitoring procedures (impact of the waiver
  on its goals)
• DDOE program review and response
• Approval or denial within 60 days of its receipt
• DDOE Monitoring
• Desk Audit (Waiver, local plan, AYP, related
  documents)
• Site visit
• Reporting

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Requirements for Title I Schools Under
Improvement Parent NotificationRevised
PlansFund Reservations and Use

• Regional Technical Assistance Sessions May,2009

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Program Improvement, Parental Involvement, and
Options Monitoring Findings

• Parental Involvement and Options Findings
• The DEDOE has not ensured that the public school
  choice notification include all of the required
  elements.
• The templates on the DEDOE website do not include
  all of the required elements.

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Parental Involvement and Options Findings What
must be in parental notification?

• LEA notification must
• Be understandable to parents and written in a
  home language
• Take place at least 14 days prior to the start of
  school
• Always indicate Parental options related to
  Choice and SES options as long as the site is in
  School Improvement
• Section 1116(b)(6), 7(E), and 8(C), ESEA, and 34
  CFR 200.37-38

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Parental Involvement and Options Findings What
must be in parental notification?

• At a minimum, LEA notification must explain
• what the school improvement identification means,
  
• how the improvement school compares academically
  to similar LEA and SEA sites
• the reasons for the identification,
• what the school and the LEA (and SEA) are doing
  to address the need(s)
• how parents can become involved, and
• the parental options related to choice and
  supplemental services, and any corrective action
  or restructuring,
• Section 1116(b)(6), 7(E), and 8(C), ESEA, and 34
  CFR 200.37

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Parental Involvement and Options Findings
Monitoring Resolution

• The DDOE will
• Provide ongoing technical assistance and guidance
• See Quick Guidance Document
• Approved templates and updated webpage
• and
• Monitor LEA implementation
• Desk Audit Approve letters prior to
  distribution (July deadline)
• Site Verification
• Interviews
• E-school entries
• See sample documents Tools

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Program Improvement, Parental Involvement, and
Options Monitoring Findings

• Program Improvement Findings
• The DEDOE has not ensured that school improvement
  plans included all of the required elements. 
• The DEDOE has not ensured that schoolwide plans
  included all of the required elements

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Program Improvement FindingsWhat must be in a
Schoolwide Plan?

• Comprehensive Needs Assessment
• Schoolwide reform strategies.
• Instruction by highly qualified teachers.
• High-quality and ongoing professional
  development.
• Strategies to attract highly qualified teachers
  to high-need schools.
• Strategies to increase parental involvement.
• Plans for assisting preschool students in the
  successful transition from early childhood
  programs to local elementary schoolwide programs.
• Measures to include teachers in decisions
  regarding the use of academic assessments.
• Activities to ensure that students who experience
  difficulty attaining proficiency receive
  effective and timely additional assistance.
• Coordination and integration of Federal, State,
  and local services and programs.
• Section 1114(b)(1)(A)-(J), ESEA. Guidance, C.

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Program Improvement FindingsWhat must be in a
plan for a school under Improvement?

• After being identified for School Improvement, a
  school must
• Develop/Revise the local plan
• Align with 1116
• 2 year period minimum
• consult with parents, school staff, the LEA
  serving the school, and outside experts, for LEA
  approval
• Get local approval for the revised plan
• Section 1116(b)(3) (7), and 8(C), ESEA, and 34
  CFR 200.37(5). Guidance, C-21, C-22, and C-23.

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Program Improvement FindingsWhat must be in an
School Improvement site plan?

• SI sites must have plans that include
• strategies based on scientifically based
  research
• policies and practices concerning the schools
  core academic subjects that have the greatest
  likelihood to ensure that all students groups
  will have a proficient level of academic
  achievement on the DE academic assessment
• an assurance that the school will spend not less
  than 10 of its Title I, Part A allocation for
  the purpose of providing to the schools teachers
  and principal high-quality professional
  development
• an explanation of how funds previously described
  (HQPD) will be used to remove the school from SI
  status
• specific, annual measurable objectives for
  continuous and substantial progress for each
  group of students
• Section 1116(b)(3) (7), and 8(C), ESEA, and 34
  CFR 200.37(5). Guidance, C-21, C-22, and C-23.

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Program Improvement FindingsWhat must be in an
School Improvement site plan?

• SI sites must have plans that include (cont)
• a description of how the school will provide
  written notice about the identification to
  parents of children enrolled in the school
• the responsibilities of the school, the LEA, and
  the SEA including the technical assistance to be
  provided by the LEA
• strategies to promote effective parental
  involvement in the school
• activities before school, after school, during
  the summer, and during any extension of the
  school year and
• a teacher mentoring program.
• Section 1116(b)(3) (7), and 8(C), ESEA, and 34
  CFR 200.37(5). Guidance, C-21, C-22, and C-23.

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Program Improvement FindingsWhat is the LEAs
role?

• Within 45 days of receiving a revised school
  plan
• Establish a peer review process to assist with
  review of the school plan and
• Promptly review the school plan, work with the
  school as necessary, and
• Approve the school plan if the plan meets the
  requirements of 1116 (b) (3)
• Section 1116(b)(3) (7), and 8(C), ESEA, and 34
  CFR 200.37(5). Guidance, C-21, C-22, and C-23.

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Program Improvement SI Plan findings Monitoring
Resolution

• The DDOE will
• Provide ongoing technical assistance and guidance
• Provide crosswalks for ESPES
• Schoolwide 1114 of ESEA
• School Improvement 1116 of ESEA
• and
• Monitor LEA implementation
• Desk Audit
• LEA Success Plan approval protocol
• SI grant review (alignment)
• Site visits
• Site Verification monitoring protocol
• See sample documents Tools

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Program Improvement, Parental Involvement, and
Options Monitoring Findings

• Fiscal Program Findings
• The DEDOE has no process for annually ensuring
  its LEAs that are required to reserve 1 of their
  allocation for parental involvement activities
  allocate at least 95 of the reservation to
  schools
• The DEDOE has not ensured that Title I school
  improvement funds were used only in schools
  identified for improvement, corrective action, or
  restructuring (ex New School status).
• The DEDOE has not ensured that its LEAs, in
  reserving Title I funds for choice-related
  transportation and supplemental services, do not
  reduce Title I allocations to schools identified
  for corrective action or restructuring by more
  than 15 percent.  

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Fiscal Program FindingsWhat are the rules for
the parental involvement reservation?

• Any LEA that receives 500,000 or more in Part A
  must
• reserve at least 1 of its Title I A allocation
  for parental involvement activities (section
  1118)
• promoting family literacy and
• parenting skills
• Involve parents of children receiving services in
  the decisions regarding how funds are used for
  parental involvement
• No less than 95 of the funds reserved shall be
  distributed to the LEAs Title I schools
• (Title I A 1,000,000 Parent 1 10,000
  Schools 9,500)
• Section 1118(a)(3), ESEA Guidance, C-21, C-22,
  and C-23.

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Fiscal Program FindingsWhat are the rules for
the 1003 (a) School Improvement funds?

• An SEA must reserve 4 of its allocation for
  school improvement and support
• allocate at least 95 of the reservation to LEAs
  for schools in school improvement, corrective
  action, and restructuring, for activities under
  section 1116(b) or
• may, with LEA approval, directly provide the
  activities or arrange for their provision through
  other entities such as school support teams or
  educational service agencies.
• The SEA, in allocating funds to LEAs, shall give
  priority to LEAs that
• serve the lowest-achieving schools
• demonstrate the greatest need for such funds and
• demonstrate the strongest commitment to ensuring
  that such funds are used to enable the
  lowest-achieving schools to meet the progress
  goals in school improvement plans under section
  1116
• Section 1003(b)(3), ESEA Guidance, D-5, D-6,
  and D-7.

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Fiscal Program FindingsWhat are the rules
regarding reserving funds for choice related
transportation and SES?

• LEAs with Schools under improvement must
• spend an amount equal to 20 of their Title I A
  allocation for NCLB choice-related transportation
  and supplemental education services
• NOT reduce Title I allocations to schools
  identified for corrective action or restructuring
  by more than 15 when reserving Title I funds
  for choice-related transportation and
  supplemental education services
• Section 1116(b)(10)(D), ESEA

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Fiscal Program findings Monitoring Resolution

• The DDOE will
• Provide ongoing technical assistance and guidance
• and
• Monitor LEA implementation
• Desk Audit
• Desk Audit Funding Data Entry Protocol
• LEA Success Plan approval protocol
• Reservations and limits
• Itemization of the allocation to schools
• 95 for Parental Involvement
• SI grant review (alignment)
• Site visits
• Site Verification monitoring protocol
• See sample documents Tools

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Contact Information

• Malik J. Stewart
• Education Associate, School Support
  Improvement 
• Career/Adult Education and Consolidated Programs 
• Delaware Department of Education
• Collette Education Resource Center
• 35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
• Dover, DE 19904
• 302.857.3320 (T) 302.739.1780 (F)
• mstewart_at_doe.k12.de.us