Alabama State Department of Education Federal Programs FY 2011 SIG Technical Assistance Mini-Webinar: March 18, 2011

Technical Assistance Mini-Webinar This is the first of a series of technical assistance mini- webinars for LEAs/schools applying for FY 2011 School Improvement Grant funds. The purpose of the technical assistance mini-webinar is to provide a transparent approach to addressing questions and inquiries regarding the SIG application process.

Technical Assistance Mini-Webinar These sessions are developed from individual questions and inquiries from Alabama LEA and school personnel developing SIG Tier I, Tier II and Tier III Applications. These sessions do not take the place of individual questions or inquiries, so please feel free to contact the SIG coordinators with additional questions or inquiries not covered in this and upcoming sessions.

Reference Handouts As a reference for questions and inquiries addressed in this session, participants should have the following handouts: SIG Guidance February 23, 2011 – USDOE Web site SIG Guidance February 23, 2011 SIG Final Requirements – USDOE or ALSDE Web sites SIG Final Requirements

Questions Answered in This Session What are the stipulations for replacing a principal of a school that wants to implement the turnaround, transformation, or restart models? The SIG Guidance, section E-16 answers the question about when staff members might be removed as a part of the transformation model. Does this section in the guidance extend to principals? Can a school/district not replace the principal prior to funding, develop a rubric, give him/her a year and observe performance, and then make a decision to replace or retain?

Questions Answered in This Session Will Tier III schools have an opportunity to receive funding this year? What is the due date for LEA applications? Is there an approved list for education management organizations (external providers)? When will this list be accessible?

Questions Answered in This Session What are the stipulations for replacing a principal of a school that wants to implement the turnaround, transformation, or restart models? A principal must be replaced if he/she was hired prior to the school year A principal may not be replaced if the school has implemented in whole or in part the turnaround, transformation, or restart models (known as Two-Year Flexibility). An LEA/school taking advantage of this flexibility should be able to demonstrate that: (1) the prior principal was replaced as a part of a reform effort, and (2) the new principal has the experience and skills needed to implement successfully the three models mentioned above.

Questions Answered in This Session The SIG Guidance, section E-16 answers the question about when staff members might be removed as a part of the transformation model. Does this section in the guidance extend to principals? Section E-16 of the SIG Guidance does not refer to stipulations for replacing the principal. Please see section G-1 for information regarding replacing the principal.

Questions Answered in This Session Can a school/district not replace the principal prior to funding, develop a rubric, give him/her a year and observe performance, and then make a decision to replace or retain? This information is referenced in section E-16 of the SIG Guidance and does not refer to stipulations for replacing the principal. Please see section G-1 for information regarding replacing the principal.

Questions Answered in This Session Will Tier III schools have an opportunity to receive funding this year? It is the SDE’s expectation that some Tier III schools will be funded. Tier III applications will go through a review process and will be ranked according to resulting scores. At this time, we do not have a dollar amount that will be available. However, because of the way FY 2011 SIG funds will be allocated, we expect more schools to be able to participate in SIG processes outside of the selected Tier I and Tier II schools.

Questions Answered in This Session What is the due date for LEA applications? All Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III applications are due on Friday April 22, 2011 before the close of business. Application submission information will be available closer to the deadline. All application documents must be received at this time. An announcement date of SIG recipients has not been approved at this time.

Questions Answered in This Session Is there a list of SDE-approved education management organizations (external providers)? When will this list be accessible? The SDE is in the process of reviewing RFAs from education management organizations that submitted application before the deadline. A list of SDE-approved education management organizations will be accessible on March 22, 2011.

Question & Answer Session

Technical Assistance and Support Eligibility and Awards Contact Dr. Marcus Vandiver– Development of the application Contact Dr. Marcus Vandiver – SIG General Questions Contact Dr. Marcus Vandiver– Contact Ann Allison –

References U. S. Department of Education Alabama Department of Education Click on the School Improvement Grant button located on the homepage