FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT
PERSONS
Name(s):
Lisa C. Saavedra
Phone:
(850) 245-0692
Lou Marsh
(850) 245-0660
Sue Wilkinson
(850) 245-0712
Suncom
: 205-0692
Email:
Lisa.Saavedra@fldoe.org
205-0660
Lou.Marsh@fldoe.org
205-0712
Sue.Wilkinson@fldoe.org
DPS:
04-112
MEMORANDUM
TO:
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District School Superintendents
FROM:
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Jim Warford
DATE:
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April 20, 2004
SUBJECT
:
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2004-2005 Preliminary No Child Left Behind/Title I Allocations and Related
Information
This is in reference to additional No Child Left Behind requirements that go into effect in 2004-
05. This document outlines the responsibilities of school districts and schools, and provides
initial guidance and direction for implementing these requirements. We are pleased to provide
you the following:
2004-05 Preliminary Title I District Allocations
Outline of Requirements for Schools and Districts Identified for Title I School
Improvement
Overview of Current School Choice Options in Florida
JIM WARFORD
K -12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509• www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
April 20, 2004
Page 2
Preliminary Title I District Allocations
This allocation is based upon initial allocations from the United Stated
Department of Education (USDE) and is expected to change somewhat before it is
finalized. However, it is reasonably accurate for planning purposes. Please note
that there has been a significant shift in district allocations based upon a change
from the 1999 census estimates to the 2000 census. Although Florida is receiving
an increase in funds, a number of school districts will experience a reduction.
However, no district’s initial allocation was reduced below 90% of last year’s
allocation.
Beginning with the 2004-05 school year, the state is required to deduct five
percent (1% for administration and 4% for school improvement) from each Local
Educational Agency’s (LEA’s) allocation unless deducting funds for school
improvement will result in a district receiving less than it received last year. In
that case,
deductions were adjusted. The state deducted 1% for administration,
but deducted less than the 4% or none of the 4% for school improvement if that
deduction would cause the district to receive less than it received for the 2003-04
school year
These preliminary allocations do not include the deductions from LEAs for
students attending the laboratory schools or the Florida School for the Deaf and
the Blind (FSDB). As soon as these calculations are complete, they will be
distributed.
Outline of Requirements for Schools and Districts Identified for Title I
School Improvement
As indicated in this attachment, for schools identified as “in need of school
improvement” due to not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two
consecutive years, the LEA must offer public school choice with transportation to
all of the school’s students. An amount equal to 20 percent (20%) of the LEA’s
Title I, Part A allocation must be identified for the excess cost of transportation
and the provision of Supplemental Educational Services (SES), unless an LEA
documents that a lesser amount is needed. However, given the numerous
initiatives regarding school choice already available across the state, we believe
that meaningful choice for many of Florida’s low achieving students from low
socio-economic families has been provided.
Overview of Florida’s School Choice Options
Florida leads the nation in the wide variety of public and private school choice
options that often exceed the requirements of NCLB. This document provides a
description of the current choice options described in Florida Statutes.
JIM WARFORD
K -12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509• www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
April 20, 2004
Page 3
LEAs should initiate a careful review of their implementation of the choice options and verify
that the lowest performing students attending schools not making Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP) for two consecutive years are afforded these choices. More information regarding the
provision of public school choice and SES under NCLB will be provided at the Department’s
regional meetings (see DPS Memo # 04-097, dated March 26, 2004).
Attachments (3)
cc:
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District Title I Coordinators
Finance Officers
District Choice Contacts
District Transportation Directors
School Improvement Contacts
Assistant Superintendents for Curriculum and Instruction
JIM WARFORD
K -12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509• www.fldoe.org
