DAVID GARZA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR C & I FERNANDO CRUZ, DIRECTOR FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS ELIAS ALONZO III, CTE DIRECTOR SEVERITA SANCHEZ, PH.D, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR COMPLIANCE The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Opportunities for Laredo Independent School District 1 WORK IN PROGRESS

“In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a prerequisite. The countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow.” President Barack Obama, 02/24/09 GLOBAL VISION 2 WORK IN PROGRESS

To inform the board regarding stakeholders* input for LISD’s plans for use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds *Stakeholders include district level and campus personnel. OBJECTIVE 3 WORK IN PROGRESS

TEA: FOUR CORE REFORMS 1. INCREASE EFFORTS TO INSTITUE RIGOROUS POST- SECONDARY STANDARDS AND HIGH-QUALITY VALID, RELIABLE, ASSESSMENTS; 2. ENHANCING PRE-KINDERGARTEN TO POST-SECONDARY DATA SYSTEMS THAT TRACK PROGRESS AND FOSTER CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT; 3. CONTINUING TO IMPROVE TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS AND SUPPORTING THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF QUALIFIED TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE; AND 4. EXPANDING THE STATE’S SUPPORT AND EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR THE LOWEST PERFORMING SCHOOLS. (SOURCE: TEA, 2009) 4 WORK IN PROGRESS

TEA: PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS 1. WILL YOUR EXPENDITURE INCREASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND REDUCE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP? 2. DO YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUNDS ALIGN WITH OTHER STATE AND LOCAL STRATEGIES? 3. WILL YOUR INVESTMENTS BE CONSIDERED INNOVATIVE AND BETTER POSITION THE DISTRICT TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM THE STATE TO SUPPORT CONTINUED EDUCATIONAL REFORM? (SOURCE: TEA, 2009) 5 WORK IN PROGRESS

LISD PROPOSED USE OF ARRA FUNDS Based on TEA’s four required investments, three guiding principles, the district’s comprehensive needs assessment, and stakeholder input, the recommendation for use of ARRA funds are: professional development, Reading/language development, technology, and a non- traditional school.  To provide a comprehensive professional development program that fosters highly qualified staff and closes achievement gaps.  To provide targeted and specific Language Acquisition/Development program to close the achievement gap.  To provide students with prescriptive assistive technology.  To provide a Non-Traditional Academy which addresses the needs of Non-Traditional students which is a vital component of both Adequate Yearly Progress and State Accountability (i.e. completion rate, drop-out recovery, college and/or workforce readiness). 6 WORK IN PROGRESS

PROPOSED ARRA FUNDING BUDGET SUMMARY 7 IDEA-BTITLE ITOTAL 1. Professional Development $3, $2,165,130.00$5,570, Reading/Langu age Acquisition $929,666.00$2,885,900.00$3,815, Technology$920,000.00$5,519,215.00$6,439, Non-Traditional Campus $377,654.00$2,470,900.00$2,848, Total$5,632,737.00$13,041,145.00$18,673, Final Total$18,673, WORK IN PROGRESS

THE DISBURSEMENT OF ARRA FUNDS WILL BE CAUTIOUS, DELIBERATE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TRANSPARENT. 8 CLOSING COMMENT WORK IN PROGRESS