FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
CHARLIE CRIST
BERNARDO A. GARCIA, CHIEF
Commissioner
BUREAU OF EQUITY, SAFETY
AND SCHOOL SUPPORT
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Title I District Coordinators
FROM:
Rony Joseph
DATE:
October 3, 2002
SUBJECT:
United States Department of Education (USDE) Report Based on a Team Review
As you may know, on April 22-26, 2002, a team of eight from USDE reviewed the administration of
the Title I program at the state level and in two school districts: Palm Beach and Calhoun Counties.
Attached, for your information, is the USDE team’s report to the Commissioner.
Please note, both districts were commended for having exceeded the state aggregate in the proportion
of students at or above the proficiency level on the FCAT in both reading and mathematics for two
consecutive years. We encourage you to read the complete report. We will, however, highlight
below some areas that may guide your activities, as you implement the No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) Act of 2001.
1.
The USDE Team’s approach was an achievement-focused monitoring approach. The team
requested data from the state and reviewed reports and relevant information from the Florida
Department of Education (FDOE) Web Site prior to the on-site visit. This approach is evidence
of how the USDE will evaluate programs under NCLB. It behooves us to emulate this example
by ensuring that all our decisions, at the state, district, and school levels, are based on data from
reliable sources.
2.
The team’s activities, both the review and the report, were guided by the four principles (four
pillars) that constitute the foundation of NCLB: 1) Accountability for results; 2) Local control
and flexibility; 3) Expanded parental choice; and 4) Effective and successful programs. As we
implement NCLB, these principles should also be our landmarks.
3.
The team recommended a greater and a more active role of the distinguished educators in
Title I technical assistance activities.
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An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
325 West Gaines Street – Suite 314 – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 487-3503 – FAX (850) 922-9025
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An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
Title I District Coordinators
October 3, 2002
Page 2
4.
The Title I schoolwide plans that the team reviewed in both districts did not contain all the
required components of a Title I schoolwide plan. As more schools begin to implement Title I
schoolwide projects, it is imperative that the schoolwide plans include all the required
components under Section 1114 of NCLB. The Title I Office, FDOE, will soon issue a
memorandum on this matter.
5.
The team identified three parental activities that were not being implemented as required under
NCLB: 1) Evidence of an annual meeting to inform parents of Title I students of their right to
obtain information and to be involved in the implementation of the Title I program; 2) The
schools visited did not have evidence that they conducted an annual evaluation of their parental
programs; 3) The District parental policy in one district has not been revised five years after its
adoption. Please review these requirements and ensure appropriate implementation both at the
district and school levels.
6.
The team also noticed that in Targeted Assistance schools visited, students were being selected
for Title I program using subjective criteria and not objective criteria as required for students in
grades 3 and above. One of the team members shared a sample form with us that districts could
modify and adopt to meet that requirement. Copy of that form is attached to this memorandum
for your information and possible use.
7.
The USDE team urged FDOE to develop and implement a process for on-site monitoring of Title
I programs in all districts in the state. You will soon receive a communication from FDOE on the
2002-2003 school year’s on-site monitoring activities.
8.
Regarding services to eligible students in private schools, the team noted in one of the districts
visited two areas that needed attention: 1) Multiple educationally related and objective criteria
were not being used, as required, to select students for services; only one criterion was used; 2)
Private school principals were asked to sign the Parent Compacts. The Parent Compact is
between the school district and the parents of eligible private school children. Private school
principals are not required to sign.
Please, review the report and use any information therein, in addition to the selected areas in this
memorandum, which you believe may inform your activities as you assist your schools in the
implementation of the NCLB. If you have any questions or need additional information, please
contact Betty Applewhite or Rony Joseph via email at Betty.Applewhite@FLDOE.ORG or
Rony.Joseph@FLDOE.ORG or by telephone at 850-487-3530.
RJ/bal
Attachments
cc: Charlie Crist Kathryn Mizereck Angel Stanford
Jim Horne Betty Coxe School District Superintendents
Larry Wood Bernardo A. Garcia
