Funding Opportunities for Newly Identified Priority Schools ESEA Directors InstituteESEA Directors Institute October 2014October 2014

School Improvement Grant (SIG) Application Tentative Timeline and Proposed USED Changes 2

Current SIG Applications  SIG Cohort 2 Three year grant (SY , , ) 3 LEAs, 20 schools  Cohort 3 Three year grant (SY , , ) 5 LEAs, 18 schools 3

Cohort 4 School Improvement Grant Application  Timeline Period of public comment – Sept. 8 to Oct. 8, 2014 Release of SIG application to states – December/January Approval of state’s grant – January/February Award of SIG funds to states - February Release of application draft to local education agencies (LEAs) – January Tentative application submission date – March/April Tentative award date – April/May 4

Proposed Changes Proposed changes are based on lessons learned from the four years of SIG implementation and are an effort to strengthen program implementation. 1. Allowing five-year awards instead of three. 2. Adding evidenced-based whole-school reform strategies. 3. Allowing flexibility for rural LEAs to modify one SIG intervention model element. 4. Increased focus on outcomes in preschool and early grades. 5. Increased involvement of families and community in model selection. 6. Increased responsibility placed on LEAs to monitor and support grant implementation including monitoring and holding external providers accountable for outcomes. 5

Priority Schools Planning Grant A Head-Start on School Turnaround 6

Overview Purpose: to provide significant resources to local education agencies (LEAs) to begin to plan efforts to turnaround its newly identified Priority Schools. Eligible districts:  Achievement School District  Jackson – Madison Schools  Knox County Schools  Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools  Shelby County Schools The plan should be the foundation for the School Improvement Grant (SIG) application for the state’s fourth cohort of schools. 7

Fiscal Information  Planning Grant Awards Minimum award - $300,000 per year Maximum award - $2,000,000 per year Applications may be funded at a lesser amount if the application does not fully justify the budget expenditures. Funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2015 and liquidated by December 30,

Prioritize Turnaround Principles  Strong leadership  Effective teachers  On-going, job-embedded professional development tied to teacher and student needs  Additional time for student learning and teacher collaboration;  Strong instructional program based on student needs  Data to inform instruction and continuous improvement, by providing time for collaboration on use of data  School environment that improves school safety and discipline, including students’ social, emotional, and health needs  Family and community engagement 9

Potential Uses  Recruitment of effective leadership and school staff  Signing bonuses  Intensive examination of school needs  Research and selection of a “whole school reform” model  Development and piloting of plans for extended learning time  Development of school and community partnerships  Development and piloting of programs to address students’ non-academic needs. Funding for activities must meet Title I requirements. 10

Scoring Criteria LEA Capacity  History of significant gains in reading/language arts and math and minimum TVAAS 3 in SIG schools  Description of how the district will provide a different approach to school turnaround if significant gains have not occurred  Districts with no previous SIG schools A detailed explanation of stronger district support and response to Priority schools than what is provided to non-Priority schools. Turnaround Plan  Prioritized principles, allocation of funds, planning activities  Monitoring and support  External providers’ selection process 11

Timeline  Submission Date – November 5, 2014 Application - ePlan Document Library, Priority Schools Planning Grant folder Budget and detailed budget narrative - ePlan Priority Schools’ Planning Grant  Grant Evaluation – November 5-19, 2014  Award Date – November 21, 2014  Fund Obligation Date – September 30, 2015  Liquidation Date – December 30,

Questions  Rita Fentress – 13

14 FRAUD, WASTE or ABUSE Citizens and agencies are encouraged to report fraud, waste or abuse in State and Local government. NOTICE: This agency is a recipient of taxpayer funding. If you observe an agency director or employee engaging in any activity which you consider to be illegal, improper or wasteful, please call the state Comptroller’s toll-free Hotline: Notifications can also be submitted electronically at: