Letter to Parents in LEA’s Newly Identified as Districts in Need of Improvement Year 1

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 requires the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to annually review the performance of each Local Educational Agency (LEA) that receives Title I funds to ensure that Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is made toward enabling all public elementary, middle and secondary school students to meet the State’s student academic achievement standards.

The NYSED is then required to inform parents/guardians of students about LEA performance.  For the 2004-05 school year, name of LEA has been identified as an LEA in Need of Improvement Year 1 in (subject areas) because the LEA failed to make AYP for two consecutive years at each applicable grade level (elementary, middle, and secondary) in the subject area(s) for which it has been identified.

As an LEA in Need of Improvement, your LEA must:

• Consult with parents and school staff when developing the LEA Improvement Plan (This plan explains how the LEA will use Title I and other funds to improve Title I schools.)

• Commit to spend at least ten percent of the annual Title I allocation to provide professional development for teachers and administrators; and

• Provide technical assistance to schools identified as Title I Schools in Need of Improvement and/or Title I Corrective Action Schools.

How can parents help their LEA improve?

Here are some suggestions to help you work with your school and LEA to support improvements:

1.      Learn more about the NCLB requirements and become aware of strategies to improve student academic achievement. 

Information and resources are available at the following websites:

-     www.emsc.nysed.gov – The New York State Education Department

-    www.ed.gov and www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/hyc.html – The United States Department of Education

2.      Talk with LEA staff about the Improvement Plan and the strategies it includes to promote effective parental involvement in schools.

If you are a parent of an eligible student who attends a low-performing Title I school:

3.    Ask about Supplemental Educational Services that may be available for your child.   Supplemental Educational Services are extra academic services provided to eligible Title I students outside of the regular school day.

4.      Ask about School Choice options to transfer your child to another, better performing, public school served by the LEA.

5.      Visit your child’s school and become a volunteer.

You are highly encouraged to contact your local Superintendent’s office for further information on any of these requirements and to find out how you can become involved in school improvement efforts.