1 Overview: What is “No Child Left Behind”?

2 Reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (“ESEA”) of ’65 Money to states for specific education purposes Less than 6% of our budget is from NCLB funds

3 NCLB focuses on four principles: n Accountability for student achievement (annual assessments for students in grades 3-11) n Parental choice is increased n Instruction that is scientifically based n Flexibility of program dollars

4 Reading Instruction A key component of NCLB is a strong emphasis on reading, especially at the early grades.

5 What’s New? No Child Left Behind mandates: n Raising the educational performance of all children n Annual testing of students to measure progress in achieving the higher standards n Analysis of the test scores n Identification of schools that fail to make “Adequate Yearly Progress” (AYP)

6 Iowa “Proficiency” Goal = 41% Starting Point: 64% of students must be at/above 41% on ITBS/ITED Starting Point: 64% of students must be at/above 41% on ITBS/ITED “Perhaps 60% of all Iowa schools” will not meet goals at some point in time. T. Stilwill, Director, Iowa Dept. of Ed. Safety nets: “Confidence Interval” & “Safe Harbor” Safety nets: “Confidence Interval” & “Safe Harbor”

7 AYP Implementation Annual measurable objectives (AMO) and intermediate goals for the state

8 Additional AYP Provisions: n District must test not less than 95% of students n Graduation rate goal: 95% (current state percentage is 90%) n Attendance rate goal: 95% (current state percentage is 92%) n Test results are reported to the public on all students (“aggregate”) and certain sub-groups as well.

9 NCLB’s sanctions: “School in Need of Assistance” (SINA) (Iowa’s terminology) or “School in Need of Improvement” (SINI) (U.S. Dept. of Ed. terminology) Possible to be School in Need of Assistance even if most score exceptionally well! Possible to be School in Need of Assistance even if most score exceptionally well! Don’t jump to conclusions if school is identified Don’t jump to conclusions if school is identified

10 Failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress two years in a row n 1st year after identification as School In Need of Improvement: - school adopts improvement plan - technical assistance available - any student may transfer to another public school in the district (with transportation provided by district)

11 Above consequences continue PLUS district must offer supplemental educational services (tutoring) from outside providers to low-achieving kids at district expense Third year after identification as School In Need of Improvement:

12 Fourth year of School In Need of Improvement: Above consequences, plus at least one (but not all) of the following: n Replace school staff relevant to the “failure” n Institute a new curriculum, plus provide professional development for staff n Decrease management authority at the school level n Appoint outside expert for advice n Extend school day/year n Restructure the school n Reduce funds

13 “Highly Qualified Staff” n All teachers must be fully licensed by the state (no “emergency” license if that means the teacher doesn’t meet full license standards.) n All secondary (including middle school) teachers must have a major in the subject(s) they teach.

14 n All Paraprofessionals (teacher associates) must have minimum of a high school education or GED. In addition, paraprofessionals providing instructional assistance to students in Title 1 schools or programs must either: u pass a test covering instruction in reading, writing, and math, OR u have a two-year (“Associate”) degree (at a minimum), OR u have completed two full years of study at an institute of higher education, OR u obtain a voluntary Paraprofessional Certificate issued by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

15 Paraprofessional employees hired before 1/02 have four years to meet requirements. New hires must meet the above requirements upon starting employment.

16 Report card to the public

17 NCLB success stories: We are learning more than ever about what works!

18 How are we doing in our community?

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