Title I, Part A, Learning Assistance Program (LAP) 2007 Fall Training

Parents Play a Major Role in Their Students’ Success

District Set-Asides for Parent Involvement Districts receiving $500,000 or more in Title I, Part A funds must set aside, at minimum, 1% for parent involvement purposes, including promotion of parent literacy and developing parenting skills. 95% of the district set-sides must be allocated to Title I buildings for building- level parent involvement. Districts not receiving an allocation of $500,000 or more must also provide parent involvement opportunities at the district and building levels. [NCLB Section 1118(a)(3), Parent Involvement Guidance C-14]

Title I, Part A Application It’s important to respond to all bulleted items regarding the district’s building parent involvement policy on page 2 of the district Title I, Part A application.

District Parent Involvement Policy Written document. Jointly developed and agreed upon with parents. Distributed to all parents of participating students. Involve parents in the development of the policy and the process of school review and improvement. Provide assistance to buildings in carrying out parent involvement activities. Build the schools’ and parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement. [NCLB Section 1118(a)(2), Parent Involvement Guidance C-3]

District Parent Involvement Policy Coordinate Title I parent involvement policies with other programs such as Head Start, Reading First, Even Start, ECEAP and other preschool programs. Identify barriers that prevent greater participation in Title I parental activities by parents of economically disadvantaged, disabled, limited English proficient, racial or ethnic minority students. Conduct, with parents, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the district Title I parent involvement policy.

Bulletin O71-07 Dated August 17, 2007 Districts must submit sample building parent involvement policies to the Title I, Part A office by September 28, Districts that have five or less Title I buildings must send in all of their parent policy statements. Districts that have more than five buildings must send in samples from half of their buildings (ex: district K has 15 Title I buildings, therefore they would send in eight Title I building parent policies). Samples should be sent electronically to Julie Chace at Sample parent policies must be sent to OSPI by September 28,

Building Parent Involvement Policy/Plan Regardless of the Title I program model, targeted assistance or schoolwide, schools receiving Title I monies should involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of the school parental involvement policy. Section 1118 (c) (3). The law does state “building policy,” but at the building level, it’s a plan of action. It does not have to be board approved.

Building Parent Involvement Policy/Plan Written policy (plan). Agreed upon by parents. Describes the means for carrying out parent involvement activities at the building level. Distributed to parents, and the local community, in a format and language, to the extent practicable, that the parents can understand. Annually convene a meeting for parents of Title I students to explain Title I program requirements. Offer flexible number of meeting times, and may provide, with Title I funds, transportation, child care, or home visits, as such services relate to parental involvement. [Section 1118(b)(1),ESEA.] Guidance D-2

Building Policy/Plan (cont.) Provide timely information about programs. Involve parents in an ongoing, timely planning, review, and improvement of the school parental involvement policy and the joint development of the schoolwide program plan. Include a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet. If parents request opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, respond to such suggestions as soon as practicably possible.

Shared Responsibility for High Student Academic Achievement Section 1118 (d)(1-2)(a-c): As a component of the school-level parental involvement policy/plan, each Title I school must: Jointly develop with parents of Title I served students a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement.

School-Parent Compact The compact must describe: The school’s responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in an effective learning environment; ways in which each parent will be responsible for supporting their child’s learning. Address the importance of ongoing communication between teachers and parents at a minimum by:  Having annual parent-teacher conference (at elementary schools), at which time the compact will be discussed as it relates to the child’s achievement.  Providing frequent reports to parents.  Allowing access to staff, opportunities to volunteer and participate, and observation of classroom activities.

Building Capacity for Parent Involvement o Provide assistance to parents of children served in understanding the state’s academic content standards, state student academic achievement standards, state and local assessment standards, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve their children’s achievement. o Provide materials and training, as appropriate, to help parents work with their children to improve achievement and foster parent involvement. o Educate teachers, pupil services personnel, principals, and other staff with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of parents, and how to reach out, communicate with and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school.

Building Capacity (cont.) o To the extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with Head Start, Reading First, Even Start, public preschool and other programs, and conduct other activities such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children. o Ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand. [Section 1118(e), ESEA.] Guidance E-1

Parent Notification Requirements Annual Report Card [NCLB Section 1111(h)(1) and (2), Parent Involvement Guidance, B-5 (State) and C-7 (District)] Individual Student Assessment [NCLB Section 1111(h)(6)(B)(i), Parent Involvement Guidance, D-10] Progress Review [NCLB Section 1116(a)(1)(C), (c)(1)(B) and (c)(6), Parent Involvement Guidance, B-7 (State) and C-20 (District)] School Improvement (AYP, Corrective Action, Restructuring) [NCLB Section 1116(b)(6), 7(E), and 8(C), 34 CFR (5).] Parent Involvement Guidance, C-21, C-22, and C-23]

Parent Notification Requirements Choice-[NCLB Section 1116(b)(6), Parent Involvement Guidance C-21] Supplemental Educational Services-[NCLB Section 1116(e)(2), Parent Involvement Guidance C- 22] Building and District Parent Involvement Policies-[NCLB Section 1118(a)(2) and (b)(1), Parent Involvement Guidance, C-3 and C–4 (district), and D-1 (school)] Compact-[NCLB Section 1118(d)], Parent Involvement Guidance D-8]

Title I, Part A – Improving Basic Programs Purpose: Provides supplemental educational services for eligible public and private school students to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and state academic assessments (should the private school choose to do so).

Private School Participation in Title I, Part A If the Title I, Part A program is available to the public school district students and teachers, then the opportunity is available to private school students and teachers.

Process to Participate PRIVATE SCHOOLS MUST:  Complete Annual Approval Form.  Complete P105 Enrollment Data Form (October headcount).  Complete the Private School Participation in Federal Programs (Intent to Participate) Form.  Must be state approved, non-profit, private elementary or secondary school.  Requesting participation through services, not funding.

Process to Participate SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST:  Review Intent to Participate forms–wish to participate, do not wish to participate, did not apply.  Contact private schools that did not apply.  Contact private schools that did apply and begin consultation process (January – March) must consult prior to submitting their federal grant application.  Complete written affirmation that consultation has occurred, keep a copy at the district office, submit copy to OSPI.  Submit Contact Log to OSPI for schools not able to contact. Bulletin # 78-07

Title I, Part A (continued) Examples of Services  Instructional services outside the regular classroom.  Extended learning time (before/after school and in the summer).  Family literacy programs.  Counseling programs.  Early childhood.  Home tutoring.  Computer-assisted instruction. Non-Regulatory Guidance B37 & B38

Eligible Private School Student  An eligible private school student resides in the participating attendance area of the school district and is selected on the same basis as targeted assistance students. 34 CFR

Private School Participation in Title I, Part A NCLB requires equitable services be provided to private school students, teachers, and other educational personnel.

Basic Rules on Service Delivery  Under control and supervision of the public school.  The public school maintains control of all materials, supplies, equipment, and property acquired with Title I funds for the benefit of eligible private school students. 34 CFR  Services for private school children must begin at the same time as services for public school children. Non Regulatory Guidance B39 & B40

Basic Rules (continued)  Title I services may be provided in subject areas or grade levels different from those provided to public school students as long as they are provided within the same grade-span.  Key word is services. No public funds are distributed to private schools, only services and materials. Non -Regulatory Guidance B28

Consultation Consultation between the public school and private schools, during the design and development of the programs:  Must be timely and meaningful.  Must take place on an annual basis, and be documented by the district: sign in sheets, agenda, written affirmation.  Must continue throughout the year, to ensure the needs of private school students are being met.  Shall occur before the school district makes any decision that affects the opportunities of eligible private school children, teachers, and other educational personnel to participate.

Consultation (continued) Consultation must cover issues such as:  How the children’s needs will be identified.  What services will be offered.  How and where the services will be provided.  How the services will be assessed and how the results of the assessment will be used to improve those services.  Service delivery mechanisms used to provide equitable services.  Who will provide the services.

Consultation (continued)  The amount of funds available to serve private school students.  The equitable services the school district will provide to teachers and families of participating private school children.  The size and scope of the services to be provided.  How and when the agency will make decisions about the delivery of services.  Consideration of the views of the private school officials regarding use of third-party providers.

Consultation (continued) Where the school district disagrees with the views of the private school officials on the provision of services through a contract, the school district must provide a written explanation of the reasons why the local educational agency has chosen not to use a contractor. NCLB Section 1120(b) 34 CFR

Complaint Process Private school officials have the right to appeal to OSPI if they believe the school district officials have not complied with the requirements of the law. 34 CFR

Guidance  Title I Services to Eligible Private School Students Guidance:  NCLB Section: 1120