Guidance for Title I School Improvement Requirements

Bridgeport Conference CenterSeptember 2009

WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Guidance for Title I School Improvement RequirementsOverview of Workshop

Title I School Improvement Resources Timeline for LEA Reporting Requirements NCLB School Improvement Requirements Public School Choice /Supplemental

Educational Services NCLB School Plan Revision Requirements Introduction to School Plan Navigation School Needs Assessment Review & Root

Causes WESTEST 2 School Reports Strategic Plan School Team Work Sessions

Title I School Improvement Resources No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

- Section 1116 Non-Regulatory Guidance (www.ed.gov)

− LEA and School Improvement, July 21, 2006 − http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/schoolimprovementguid.pdf− Public School Choice, January 14, 2009− http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/schoolchoiceguid.pdf− Supplemental Educational Services, January 14, 2009− http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/suppsvcsguid.pdf

The New Title I: The Changing Landscape of Accountability, 6th Edition, by Kristen Tosh Cowan, Esq. (Revised January 2009)

Title I Handbook, Volumes I and II Title I Website http://wvde.state.wv.us/titlei/lea_timeline.html

− Calendar, School Improvement Section, etc.)

Title I School Improvement Resources

The Title I School Improvement Tool KitIs available online:

http://sites.google.com/site/schoolimprovementtoolkit/home

Purpose: to provide models and resources to assist LEAs and schools with implementing school improvement according to the requirements of NCLB.

Timeline for LEA Reporting Requirements District Report for Title I Schools Identified for Improvement - Sept. 30 District Report for School Choice – Sept. 30 Copy of letter sent to parents for school choice – Sept. 30 District Report for Supplemental Educational Services (First Round)– Nov. 1 Copy of letter sent to parents for SES (First Round)– Nov. 1 District Report for Supplemental Educational Services (Second Round) – Jan 31 Copy of letter sent to parents for SES (Second Round)– Jan 31

The following must be submitted to verify LEA school plan revision approval: School Improvement Assurance Checklist Title I Rubric -before or approximately Dec. 1 (LEA has 45 days to review)

Title I School Improvement Toolkit -Reporting forms & sample parent notification letters are available on-line:

http://mkgodfrey.googlepages.com/leareportingforms

Title I School Improvement Requirements 101

After two or more consecutive years of not meeting AYP standards, the LEA shall:

Identify the school for improvement Provide notice to parents of all students in the school Develop or revise the school improvement plan Ensure that 10% of the school’s allocation is utilized for

professional development each year the school is identified for improvement

Provide technical assistance

Title I School Improvement Requirements 101

And, in addition, must offer the following sanctions:

Year two: Public School Choice (PSC) Year three: PSC & Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Year four: PSC, SES, and Corrective Action (CA) Year five: PSC, SES, CA, & Planning for Alternative

Governance Year six: PSC, SES, CA, & Alternative Governance

Title I School Improvement Requirements 101

Year four and beyond: Defining Corrective Action

The term “corrective action” means action consistent with State law, that substantially and directly responds to: Consistent academic failure of a school that caused the LEA to

take such action; Underlying staffing, curriculum, or other problems in the school;

and Designed to increase the likelihood that each subgroup will meet

or exceed the State’s proficiency levels of achievement.

Title I School Improvement Requirements 101

Year four and beyond: Corrective Action

The LEA must choose at least one of the following:

Replace staff that is relevant to failure to make AYP Institute and implement a new curriculum providing appropriate

professional development Significantly decrease management authority at the school Appoint an outside expert to advise the school Extend the school day or school year Restructure the internal organizational structure of the school

Title I School Improvement Requirements 101

Year five and beyond: Restructuring Options

The LEA shall implement at least one of the followingarrangements: *Reopen the school as a public charter school Replace all or most of the school staff relevant to the failure

of the school Enter into a contract with an entity with a demonstrated

record of effectiveness to operate the school Turn the operation of the school over to the State Any other major restructuring that makes fundamental

reforms*There are no charter schools in West Virginia. Therefore, this is not a viable option.

New School Choice/SES Requirements

An LEA must prominently display on its Web site in a timely manner informationpertaining to school choice: Beginning with the data from the 2007-2008 school year, and for each

subsequent school year, the number of students eligible for and who participated in school choice; and

A list of current available schools to which students eligible to participate may transfer.

And information pertaining to supplemental educational services: Beginning with the data from the 2007-2008 school year, and for each

subsequent school year, the number of students eligible for and who participated in SES; and

A list of current SES providers approved by the State to serve the LEA and the locations where services are provided.

New SC/SES Requirements

If an LEA spends less than 20% required for SC and SES, the LEA must meet all of the following criteria:1) Partner with outside groups to help inform eligible students regarding

choice and SES;2) Ensure a genuine opportunity for students to sign up to transfer or obtain

SES including providing a minimum of two SES enrollment windows, at separate points in the school year;

3) Ensure SES providers are given access to school facilities, using a fair, open, and objective process;

4) Maintain records demonstrating the LEA has met all criteria; and 5) Notify the SEA that the LEA has met the criteria and intends to spend the

remainder of the 20% on other allowable activities (to include the amount of remaining funds).

PSC (Section K-1) and SES (Section L-1) Non-Regulatory Guidance (January 14, 2009)

Title I School Improvement Requirements

According to NCLB, LEAs are required to notify parents of: School improvement status (all SW parents)

must include: subject, subgroup(s), LEA and school response, how parents can become involved

School choice option(s) (all SW parents) At least 14 days prior to the first day of school must offer at least 2 choices (if possible) all transfers must be in place by September 15

Supplemental Educational Services (all eligible students) Must begin asap after the first day of school Must offer as many providers as appropriate for identified school SES information, sample letters on Title I website:http://mkgodfrey.googlepages.com/supplementaleducationalservices(ses)

Title I School Improvement Requirements

Parent Notifications - continuedAnd . . . Corrective Action(s) (all SW parents) OR Restructuring Action(s) (all SW parents)

LEA must publish and disseminate information regarding corrective action(s) OR restructuring action(s)

Must be presented in an understandable format and language CA and Restructuring Information on Title I SI website:http://mkgodfrey.googlepages.com/schoolimprovementtoolkit

Title I School Improvement Plan Requirements

According to NCLB section 1116, a Title I school identified for improvement must develop or revise a school improvement plan which must be approved

by the LEA.

Title I School Plan Revision Requirements

LEA establishes a process for the peer review of the Title I plans Within 45 days of receiving the plan, the LEA must review the

school plan If needed, the LEA must work with the school to make necessary

revisions The LEA shall approve the school plan if it meets the

requirements of §1116 Complete and return to SEA:

1) Title I rubric; and 2) SEA assurance checklist

Title I School Improvement Plan Requirements

The plan must . . . be developed or revised not later than three months after being

identified for improvement (Due date to LEA: on or before December 1);

cover a two-year period that specifically addresses the academic issues that caused the identification for school improvement;

be reviewed and approved within 45 days using the LEA Peer Review Process (Due date: on or before January 15); and

be implemented “immediately upon approval” by the LEA.

Title I School Improvement Plan Requirements

Consultation

The school must engage in significant consultation during the development of this plan specifically with:

parents school staff the LEA (county support team) outside experts

Documentation must be maintained and will be reviewed during monitoring to demonstrate that the LEA (county) has provided technical assistance.

Title I School Improvement Plan Requirements

Specifically, according to NCLB section 1116, the plan must address:

• core academic subjects• measurable goals and objectives• research based instructional strategies • sustained professional development• *teacher mentoring program• *technical assistance from LEA and SEA• parent involvement• extended learning time

*Indicates component is not specifically requested within five year strategic plan

Title I School Improvement Plan Requirements

Teacher Mentoring Program High quality, structured mentoring programs have a positive

effect on the retention of qualified teachers. Therefore, all schools identified for improvement must

incorporate a teacher mentoring program. Mentoring programs pair novice teachers with more

experienced professionals who serve as role models and provide practical support and encouragement.

Title I School Improvement Plan Requirements

How can a school meet the teacher mentoring program requirement?

Employ a literacy, numeracy, or academic coach Contract services for a literacy, numeracy, or academic

coach Utilize a school level Title I specialist as a coach within the

school

Ask yourself these questions:

Is mentoring/coaching already being implemented in your county/school?

If yes, how can current mentoring/coaching practices best be incorporated into your school?

Title I School Plan Revision Requirements

A Title I school (regardless of the program – SW or TA) identified for school improvement must spend 10% of the school’s total allocation, for each year that the school is in improvement (to provide the school’s teachers and principal(s) high quality professional development).

10% of the individual school’s budget includes the regular allocation, ARRA allocation, & carryover (if applicable)

Title I School Plan Revision Requirements

The plan must specifically describe how the funds will be used (10% professional development

requirement and school improvement grant funds) in order to remove the school from school

improvement status.

Documentation must be maintained to verify 10% professional development expenditures

Questions?

Let’s visit the five year strategic online plan . . .https://wveis.k12.wv.us/wvfiveyearonlinestrategicplan/

School Needs Assessment and Determining Root Causes

Question to Consider

Why Use Data?

School Needs Assessment and Determining Root Causes

Data Analysis

Four types of data to be examined: External Trends Achievement Data Other Outcome Data Data about Culture/Conditions

School Needs Assessment and Determining Root Causes

External Trends

Outside factors that affect achievement Age distribution of county population Socio economic status of district Family structures Drug abuse Crime rate Technology trends

School Needs Assessment and Determining Root Causes

Achievement

Summative tests

Benchmark tests

Formative assessments OF learning

Formative assessments FOR learning

School Needs Assessment and Determining Root Causes

Other Outcome Data

Attendance

Discipline

Drop out rates

Graduation rates

School Needs Assessment and Determining Root Causes

Culture –Conditions-Practices

Monitoring reports Walk through summaries Making Middle Grades Work Reports OEPA Reports SREB Reports School self assessment of high yield strategies

Examine Possible Reasons for Not Meeting Objectives

Teacher Learner Curriculum Classroom

Teaching strategies

Student engagement

Aligned with test Instructional materials

Expectations Self-efficacy Mapping sequence Physical environment

Understanding of CSOs and content area

Understanding of CSOs

Appropriate to grade level

Daily interruptions

Teaching experience

Prior learning experiences

Test administration Learning climate

Classroom management skills

Parental support Accommodation for learning styles

Disciplinary problems

Determining Root Causes

Establish Priorities

Review the root causes

Prioritize the major concerns

Focus on what you can actually change

School Needs Assessment and Determining Root Causes

Let’s Summarize the Utilization of Data

Student Achievement Data

Goals and Objectives

External Trend Data Strategies

Other Student Outcome Data

Strategies

Culture, Conditions, and Practices

Strategies

Let’s Summarize

WHAT to Improve HOW to Improve

GOALS STRATEGY

Objective Action step

Objective Action step

Critical piece . . .

Communicate Title I school improvement information with the entire staff and school community

Getting teacher commitment involves asking for their input regarding the improvement plan

Remember those implementing the plan are responsible for its success!

More likely to be successful if planning comes from those directly responsible for the change.

Thank you for your continuous contribution to improving the lives of

children throughout West Virginia!

For further or specific technical assistance contact . . .

Karen Davies, West Virginia Department of Education

Title I School Improvement Coordinator

kdavies@access.k12.wv.us

(304) 558-7805

or your Title I State Representative