Federal Flexibility Initiative and Schoolwide Programs

Federal Flexibility Initiative

Federal Flexibility Initiative

The federal flexibility initiative is one of Commissioner Williams’ priorities. The purpose of the initiative is to provide increased flexibility to subrecipients of federal education grants in ways that support one of Commissioner Williams’ other top priorities for Texas education, which is to close gaps in student achievement.

Federal Flexibility Initiative

The initiative is made up of new policies related to how TEA administers, manages, and monitors federal grants. These policies are designed to give subrecipients greater flexibility in how they administer federal grant funds so they can close student achievement gaps by operating effective programs that are based upon locally identified needs.

Focus of Policy Changes

• Allowing more discretion at the local level• Providing clear guidance with examples/models• Removing barriers that are unnecessary and

burdensome• Improving performance and program outcomes• Ensuring that grant funds are spent in accordance

with program statute and regulations• Strengthening accountability for federal dollars;

minimizing waste, fraud, and abuse; and providing more transparency

Federal Flexibility Initiative

Three main parts:

• Schoolwide programs• Other new policy changes• Uniform guidance

Schoolwide Program Training Outline

Schoolwide Programs Overview

Comprehensive Needs

Assessment

Campus Improvement

PlanEvaluation Plan

SCHOOLWIDE PROGRAMS OVERVIEW

Schoolwide Programs

Schoolwide Programs

Schoolwide Programs Overview

Federal Requirements

Overview and Purpose Eligibility

Campus Requirements

Continuation of Program

Federal Requirements for Schoolwide Programs

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

Use of funds for Schoolwide Programs A local educational agency may consolidate and use funds under this part, together with other Federal, State, and local funds, in order to upgrade the entire educational program of a school that serves an eligible school attendance area in which not less than 40 percent of the children are from low-income families, or not less than 40 percent of the children enrolled in the school are from such families.

Federal Requirementsfor Schoolwide Programs

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

Components of a schoolwide program:

• 10 program components

• Planning process

Federal Requirements for Schoolwide Programs

Federal Register - July 2, 2004 (Vol. 69, Number 127)

A schoolwide program is a comprehensive reform strategy to improve the academic achievement of all students in the school, particularly the lowest-achieving students…. Researchers have documented that when the entire school is the target of change, schools serving even the most academically challenged students can achieve success.

Federal Requirements for Schoolwide Programs

Federal Register - July 2, 2004 (Vol. 69, Number 127)

• 3 core elements• Identification of students• Fiscal accounting• Intent and purposes

Federal Requirements for Schoolwide Programs

Federal Register - July 2, 2004 (Vol. 69, Number 127)

Inclusion of other federal education program funds• Improve academic achievement• Meet intent and purposes • Support campus’s schoolwide plan• Address needs of all children

Federal Requirements for Schoolwide Programs

Federal Register - July 2, 2004 (Vol. 69, Number 127)

Satisfying “Intent and Purposes”• Address needs of intended beneficiaries• Fiscal accounting records

Requirement for Schoolwide Program• A campus that consolidates is not exempt from

certain requirements

Schoolwide Programs

Overview and Purpose for Schoolwide Programs

A Title I, Part A schoolwide program allows a campus to use its funds to improve the entire educational program and the academic performance of all of its students, particularly the lowest-achieving students.

Overview of Schoolwide Programs

• A schoolwide program– Must comply with guidelines– Must maintain fiscal accountability– Receives greater flexibility– Serves all students

• TEA principles • Current guidance

Eligibilityfor Schoolwide Programs

The LEA determines which campuses are eligible to operate a schoolwide program based on specific criteria:• Eligible for Title I, Part A funds• 40% or more students are from low-income

families• Exceptions• Shared Service Arrangements

Schoolwide vs Targeted Assistance

• Title I, Part A Schoolwide program – funds may be used to upgrade the entire educational program on the campus to improve the academic performance of all students.

• Title I, Part A Targeted assistance program – funds can be used only for supplementary educational services for children identified as being most at risk for not meeting state standards.

Campus Requirementsfor Schoolwide Programs

• Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment

• Submit a schoolwide campus improvement plan

• Develop an evaluation plan to assess the CIP on an annual basis, revise CIP as needed

Title I Principlesfor Schoolwide Programs

• Accountability for academic results

• Research-based practices

• School and community engagement

Continuation of Schoolwide Programs

To continue a schoolwide program from one year to the next, the campus must:

• Follow the campus improvement plan• Evaluate and update the CIP annually• Refine the schoolwide program each year based

on the results of the evaluation of student performance and next year’s comprehensive needs assessment

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