Superintendents’ Memo: Explained What does this mean for us?

History of the Memo State of Iowa federal visit: May 2014 USDE had 60 days to prepare their report. Iowa had 60 days to prepare responses to citations. Final USDE approval for responses was received spring The superintendents’ memo outlines citations and responses. The final memo was sent from Dr. Tilly to district superintendents October 7.

To help prepare citation responses... AEA Title III Consultants, with help from LEAs, were divided into three task teams: Data AMAO/Corrective Action Planning Communications

The Memo To access these materials: culum_areas/english_language_learners_ell/administrator_resources/

Assurances Page Accompanying the memo is an assurances page that will be turned in with your Lau Plan. This checklist outlines compliance pieces we are responsible for by law. Most of these are already outlined in your district’s Lau Plan.

Superintendents’ Memo Breakdown Each heading outlines a state citation. The narrative describes what was cited, how the state responded, and includes access to technical assistance webinars that provide further guidance on each piece.

ELP Standards The state was cited for not providing standards training and not using consistent standards. Some were using WIDA, some TESOL, etc. Standards Training will be completed in phases and through six modules on AEA PD Online.

Parental Notification The state was cited for not consistently meeting the 30 day/two week deadline. To ensure this is happening, a new SRI field will be added to indicate the date parental notice was sent for each new student identified as EL. Also, new exit criteria have been established due to some districts exiting students too early.

AMAOs (Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives) The state was cited for not applying accountability requirements for districts/subgrantees who have not met AMAOs for 4+ years. This includes lack of technical assistance or requiring certain changes in curriculum. The memo outlines specific sanctions for districts/subgrantees on years 2-3 and years 4+

Data Collection and Reporting The IDE will help support clear and reliable data collection by… providing screening and summative assessment results on EdInsight evidence in SRI that ensures all students are tested or a properly assigned reason code a field in SRI for indication of parent notification The IDE is continuing to seek solution for how to handle transfer students.

Local (Lau) Plans Districts are working toward consistent, ever-evolving Lau Plans A team larger than EL teachers needs to be part of the writing process. Feedback on Lau Plans is provided by your AEA’s Title III consultant based on the state checklist.

Immigrant Children and Youth The state must ensure that immigrant children/youth are properly identified. aged 3-21 were not born in any state (including DC and Puerto Rico) have not been attending one or more schools in any one or more states for more than 3 full academic years. Immigrant questions will be added to the HLS.

Nonpublic Schools The state was NOT cited for nonpublic schools. Nonpublic schools was included as a reminder that meaningful consultation between the public and nonpublic school regarding the determination of supports for EL students should be happening annually. There is a lot of gray area because the state and federal definition for “private schools” is not the same.

Supplement vs. Supplant Not all LEAs were complying with supplement vs. supplant Supplement: in addition to Supplant: in place of Basically, if it is not above and beyond what the district is to provide, it doesn’t qualify for supplemental funding.

Questions?

Upcoming Webinars for January 12, 2016: ELPA21 March 14, 2016: ELP Standards May 16, 2016: Lau Plan Updates for ; ELPA Screener All webinars will be from 9:00-10:00. If you cannot attend, each will be recorded and posted on Keystone’s website.