Title III – Getting Specific Webinar for new Title III SEA Directors February 28, 2011 March 1, 2011 Title III Group, OESE, SASA

Webinar Format Overviews – topics: State-level administration/activities Title III immigrant children & youth grants private school participation fiscal requirements supplement, not supplant Throughout the webinar - commonly asked questions, good practices & pitfalls – lets discuss!

Advance Organizer… 1.Should conducting technical assistance be considered an administrative cost in my State-level Title III activities budget? 2.What did that recent letter from Dr. Melendez say about the definition of immigrant children and youth? 3.Must private schools in LEAs that receive Title III funds administer the State ELP assessment? 4.Can Title III funds be used to pay for students transportation? 5.What are those 4 questions that I should ask to make supplement, not supplant determinations?

State Level Administration The State may reserve no more than 60% of the 5%, or $175,000, whichever is greater, for planning and administrative costs to administer the Title III program. The remaining 40% of the SEA allocation may be used for professional development activities, planning, evaluation, technical assistance, and related activities, as well as providing recognition to subgrantees that have exceeded AMAOs.

State Level Administration – Administrative Costs All staff who perform administrative functions must be included in SEA administrative costs. (exs: supervisors, administrative assistants, evaluators, etc. – determined by job function) Indirect costs are always considered administrative costs.

State Level Administration Completing CSPR report YES Monitoring YES Providing technical assistance NO Working on evaluation report YES Providing professional development NO Computing the amount of LEA Title III grants YES

Lets talk! Common questions, good practices, & pitfalls

Immigrant Subgrants How much? How many? For what? To whom? Length of grant No more than 15 percent of the States total allocation At least one* (unless evidence of a decline) For allowable activities To eligible entities in the State - special considerations (equitable services requirement too) State determines

Immigrant Subgrants The term immigrant children and youth means individuals who- (A) are aged 3 through 21; (B) were not born in any State; and (C) have not been attending one or more schools in any one or more States for more than three full academic years. (Section 3301(6)) Three full academic years = cumulative

Immigrant Subgrants Calculations for determining significant increase: For immigrant subgrants awarded for school year , SEAs would calculate the average number of immigrant children and youth from school years and , and compare that to the number of immigrant children and youth in the school year. Charter LEAs are included in calculations. Activities should address the specific needs of immigrant children and youth (Sec.3115 (e)). Overall, funds are more flexible than regular LEA formula subgrant funds. Private school students should be included in the calculations.

Let s talk! Common questions, good practices, & pitfalls

Providing Services to English Learner Students in Private Schools under Title III timely & meaningful consultation eligibility Information sharing Identification of students consultation written plan services evaluate

Services to English Learner Students in Private Schools under Title III – Types of Activities Administration of English language proficiency (ELP) assessment for identification and/or for purpose of evaluation of effectiveness of services (test booklets, teacher training, stipends to teachers to administer assessments) Participation in district-sponsored professional development (PD), or PD organized specifically for the private school teachers Tutoring for students after school hours Participation of students in a weekend program Purchase of supplemental instructional materials and supplies

Provision of Title III Services to LEP Students in Private Schools Annual ELP assessments: Title III does not require LEAs to administer their States annual English language proficiency assessments for identified English language learners in private schools. However, LEAs are required under Title IX uniform provisions to consult with the private school officials about: how the Title III, Part A services provided to private schools and teachers will be assessed, and how the results of the assessment will be used to improve those services. (section 9501(c)(1)(D))

Lets talk! Common questions, good practices, & pitfalls

Use of Federal Funds - Criteria Costs must be… reasonable A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. allocable A cost is allocable to a cost objective if the goods or services involved are chargeable or assignable to the cost objective in accordance with the relative benefits received. allowable A cost is allowable if it is necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient performance of the award and allocable to the award. (OMB Circular A-87)

Title III 2% Cap on Administrative Costs Districts have a limit of 2% of the Title III grant award for administration. (section 3115(b)) Administration = administrative costs + indirect costs Examples of administrative costs: support staff, coordinators, & other personnel that perform administrative functions Indirect costs = organization-wide costs 1) incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective, and 2) not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted Example of indirect costs: utility costs (Source: OMB Circular A-87)

Administrative Costs Administrative costs are associated with the overall project management and administration and which are not directly related to the provision of services to participants or otherwise allocable to the program cost objectives/categories. Two types of administrative costs: – personnel & non-personnel – direct & indirect Administrative costs include those activities that pertain to establishing and administering policy for operating the LEA or with handling the overall administrative responsibilities for an LEA and program. Examples: Personnel – salaries & benefits for office assistants, clerks, accounting, data processing, contracted professional services, such as auditors (Source: 1997 USDOE Indirect Cost Determination Guidance for State and Local Government Agencies)

What are Indirect and Direct Costs? Indirect costs represent the expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with a particular grant, contract, project function or activity, but are necessary for the general operation of the organization and the conduct of activities it performs. Direct costs can be identified specifically with particular cost objectives such as a grant, contract, project, function or activity. Direct costs usually include: Salaries and wages (including vacations, holidays, sick leave, and other excused absences of employees working specifically on objectives of a grant or contract – i.e., direct labor costs). Other employee fringe benefits allocable on direct labor employees. Consultant services contracted to accomplish specific grant objectives. Travel of employees. Materials, supplies and equipment purchased directly for use on a specific grant or contract. Communication costs such as long distance telephone calls or telegrams identifiable with a specific award or activity. (Source: USDE OCFO FAQs:

Lets talk! Common questions, good practices, & pitfalls

Supplement, not Supplant Requirement - General Title III funds must be used to supplement the level of Federal, State and local funds that, in the absence of Title III funds, would have been expended for programs for limited English proficient (LEP) students and immigrant children and youth. (section 3115(g)) Any determination about supplanting is fact-specific, and it is difficult to provide general guidelines without examining the details of a situation.

Supplement, not Supplant Requirement - General The First Test of Supplanting: Required by Law The Department assumes supplanting exists if – An LEA uses Title III funds to provide services that the LEA is required to make available under State or local laws, or other Federal laws. The Second Test of Supplanting: Prior Year The Department assumes supplanting exists if – An LEA uses Title III funds to provide services that the LEA provided in the prior year with State, local or other Federal funds. This assumption can be rebutted.

Budget cuts were made in a number of areas, not just services for LEP students; and, There was in fact a reduced amount of State or local funds to pay for this activity/position; and The LEA made the decision to eliminate the position/activity without taking into consideration Federal funds. To refute the prior year test of supplanting, the LEA would need to have contemporaneous records to confirm…

Supplement, not Supplant – ELP Assessment Neither Title I nor Title III funds may be used to develop or administer ELP assessments for identification and placement purposes, except that Title III funds may be used for identification & placement assessments for private school students (if the use of such funds would not supplant other Federal, State or local funds that may be used for such purposes.) Title I and Title III funds may not be used to administer State ELP assessments for progress.

Lets talk! Common questions, good practices, & pitfalls

Advance Organizer…Answers 1.Should conducting technical assistance be considered an administrative cost in my State-level Title III activities budget? No – TA fits into the 40% of the SEA allocation – not the admin portion. 2.What did that recent letter from Dr. Melendez say about the definition of immigrant children and youth? Three full academic years of enrollment = cumulative years for the purpose of the Title III immigrant children and youth grant program. 3.Must private schools in LEAs that receive Title III funds administer the State ELP assessment? No – LEAs must conduct timely & meaningful consultation about how effectiveness of services will be assessed.

Advance Organizer…Answers 4.Can Title III funds be used to pay for students transportation? Only if the transportation is supplemental and for a Title III-funded activity. 5.What are those 4 questions that I should ask to make supplement, not supplant determinations? What is the instructional program/service provided to all students? What does the LEA do to meet Lau requirements? What services is the LEA required by other Federal, State, and local laws or regulations to provide? Was the program/service previously provided with State, local, and Federal funds?

THE END Survey monkey link – evaluation forthcoming