Overview for OSPI Graduation: a Team Effort ESD 113 Regional Dropout Reengagement Overview for OSPI Graduation: a Team Effort June 5, 2012

Assuring equitable opportunities for all students Overview Assuring equitable opportunities for all students ESD 113 2009-2010 Pilot Year 2010-2011 Full Implementation 2011-2012 New Model ? Note – Estimated # of dropouts in the region eligible for BEA funded services = 5,500

Assuring equitable opportunities for all students 2010-11 Pilot Year ESD 113 Started in Shelton in December Began services in Chehalis, though Onalaska School District in March Began services in Aberdeen in May Continued services throughout summer at all three sites via “non-standard school year” Contract-based alternative learning experience, with written student learning plans that average 25 hours per week* 90 different students served Assuring equitable opportunities for all students

Assuring equitable opportunities for all students 2011-12 Year 2 ESD 113 All 3 partner districts ended agreements After months of effort and multiple plea’s for new partner districts, Raymond signed on as district of record in late August Began services in September at all 3 sites In November we discovered FTE calculation error, and small school funding issue 160 different students served YTD Assuring equitable opportunities for all students

Looking to the Future: A Regional Approach to the Statewide Dropout Reengagement System Announcements at regional 44 superintendents meetings Presentations to county superintendents meetings Developed ‘Executive Summaries’ of the WAC and OSPI model documents WAC = 18 pages, Summary = 4 Agreement = 5 pages, Summary = 1 SoW = 15 pages, Summary = 4 Assuring equitable opportunities for all students Fortunately, the 2010 legislature adopted a new legal framework for dropout reengagement programs (HB 1418); and in September of this year, OSPI adopted the rules to implement the law. 16-21 year old students who are disconnected from school are eligible for enrollment in dropout reengagement programs (can be recommended by a case manager from different systems) Reengagement programs can be provided by a number of entities (need only one school to enroll students); however, the rules encourage and incentivize the development of a portfolio of programs provided through a community-based consortium. Program must provide academic and career-related instruction, GET preparation and college coursework, and case management. Funding is defined as part of the “basic program of education” that the Legislature is legally obligated to provide for approved programs (per constitution) – this means a per student allocation is secure, despite state finances

Consortia Model Benefits Creates more options for students not currently enrolled. School districts retain 5% of BEA funding generated by students from their service area being served regionally Each school district is only responsible for accountability measures for students from their service area More likely to attract grant & foundation funding sources Community agencies which would otherwise have limited capacity to assist disconnected students can support them through a regional approach Begins reengagement services now & sets the stage for collaborative dropout prevention and intervention efforts in the future ESD 113 Assuring equitable opportunities for all students

Status of Negotiations Thurston County has been planning since January, superintendents made tentative commitment last month Lewis County superintendents have expressed interest, and a follow-up planning session was held The 2 Mason County high school districts in the ESD 113 area are interested and are evaluating feasibility Grays Harbor and Pacific County superintendents received overview ESD 113 Assuring equitable opportunities for all students

Assuring equitable opportunities for all students Conclusions ESD 113 We have overcome multiple system barriers to providing an accessible public education dropout reengagement program Some barriers remain We have made some costly mistakes It’s been worth it QUESTIONS/COMMENTS? Assuring equitable opportunities for all students