B. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT - YEAR ONE

B-6.    When the LEA identifies a school for improvement, what information must it provide to parents? 

When one of its schools is identified for improvement, the LEA must promptly provide the following information to the parents of each child enrolled in the school: 

• An explanation of what the identification means and how the school their child attends compares to other elementary and secondary schools served by the LEA and the SEA in terms of the academic achievement of its students;
• The reason(s) for the school being identified for improvement, such as insufficient participation in assessments or one or more subgroups not meeting academic proficiency targets;
• An explanation of how parents can become involved in addressing the academic issues that led to identification; and,
• An explanation of the parents' option to transfer their child to another school in the LEA that has not been identified for improvement. The notification must provide parents with enough relevant information to help them decide what school is best for their child and be made well before the beginning of the school year in which this option will be available, so that if parents choose to do so, they have sufficient time to exercise their choice option prior to the beginning of the school year.

At a minimum, the LEA must inform parents about the academic achievement level of students at the school or schools to which their child may transfer, but it may also choose to include other information, such as a description of special academic programs, facilities, before-or-after school programs, the professional qualifications of teachers in the core academic subjects, or parent involvement opportunities.  The LEA must also explain to parents that it will provide their child with transportation to the schools that the LEA identifies as options, subject to certain cost limitations. §200.37 

Additional information on public school choice is available in the Department of Education's Public School Choice Non-Regulatory Guidance accessible online at http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/schoolchoiceguid.doc.   

B-7.     What information must the LEA provide to both parents and the public regarding schools identified for improvement? 

In addition to providing school improvement information to the parents of each student in the school, the LEA must publish and disseminate, to both parents and the public, information explaining -  

• What the school is doing to address the problem of low achievement; and
• What the LEA or the SEA is doing to help the school address this problem. §1116(b)(6); §200.38  

B-8.     What guidelines should SEAs, LEAs, or schools follow when communicating with parents and the public during the school improvement process? 

Meaningful parental involvement is one of the cornerstones of the reform initiatives contained in NCLB. Therefore, it is essential that SEAs, LEAs, or schools communicate with parents throughout the school improvement process and welcome them as key partners in addressing the academic issues that led to the school being identified for improvement.  Clarity and timeliness of information are essential.  The State, LEA, or school must ensure that required information is provided in an understandable and uniform format (including alternative formats upon request), regardless of the method or media used.  To the extent practicable, written communication must be in a language parents can understand, with special attention given to parents of migratory and limited English proficient students.  If that is not practicable, the information must be provided in oral translations for parents with limited English proficiency. 

The SEA, LEA, or school must provide information to parents directly, through regular mail or by e-mail.  However, if an SEA does not have access to individual student addresses, it may distribute information through the LEA or school.  The same information must also be disseminated through broader means of communication, such as the Internet, the media, and through public agencies serving students and their families.

E. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT - YEAR 2

E-4.     What notification requirements apply when a school enters year two of  improvement?  

When a school is identified for year two of school improvement, the LEA must promptly notify the parents of each child enrolled in the school of -  

• Their option to transfer their child to another public school that is making AYP and is served by the LEA. (See also B-6.)
• The availability of supplemental educational services for eligible children.

The LEA must provide the names of approved providers of services available within the LEA or within a reasonable distance of that area, along with a brief description of the services, qualifications, and demonstrated effectiveness of these providers.  For more detailed information on the provision of supplemental educational services, please see the Department of Education's Supplemental Educational Services Non-Regulatory Guidance at http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/suppsvcsguid.doc.  

 F. CORRECTIVE ACTION PROCESS

F-3.      What notification requirements apply when a school is identified for corrective action? 

If a school is identified for corrective action, the LEA must promptly notify the parents of each child enrolled in the school. The notification must explain -  

• What the identification means, and how academic achievement levels at this school compare to those at other schools in the LEA and in the SEA.
• Why the school was identified and how they as parents can become involved in addressing the academic issues that led to the identification.
• The parents' option to transfer their child to another school in the LEA that has not been identified for improvement. The LEA must provide parents with information that helps them make an informed decision about whether or not to exercise this option. At a minimum, the LEA must tell parents about the academic achievement level of students at the school or schools to which their child may transfer, but the LEA may choose to include additional information as well. (See also B-6.)
• How parents of eligible children can obtain supplemental educational services for their child. This notice must include information about the availability of providers and brief descriptions of their services, qualifications, and effectiveness. (See also E-4.)

G. SCHOOL RESTRUCTURING - YEAR ONE (PLANNING)

G-4.     What notification requirements apply when a school is identified for restructuring? 

When an LEA identifies a school for restructuring, it must -  

• Provide both parents and teachers with prompt notice of the decision;
• Provide both groups with the opportunity to comment before it takes any restructuring action; and
• Invite both teachers and parents to participate in the development of the school's restructuring plan. §1116(b)(8)(C)

Additional notification required for parents is similar to the notice required when a school enters corrective action.  The LEA must notify the parents of all children enrolled in the school and explain -  

• What the identification means, and how academic achievement levels at this school compare to those at other schools in the LEA and in the SEA;
• Why the school was identified and how they as parents can become involved in addressing the academic issues that led to the identification;
• Their option to transfer their child to another public school in the LEA that is not identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring; and
• The supplemental educational services that are available to eligible children.

H. SCHOOL RESTRUCTURING - YEAR TWO (PLAN IMPLEMENTATION)

H-3.     What notification requirements apply when a school is identified for year two of restructuring? 

Additional notification required for parents is similar to the notice required when a school enters corrective action or year one of restructuring.  The LEA must notify the parents of all children enrolled in the school and explain -  

• What the identification means, and how academic achievement levels at the school compare to those at other schools in the LEA and in the SEA;
• Why the school has been identified and actions taken by the school and the LEA to address the problems that led to the school's identification;
• How parents can become involved in addressing the academic issues that led to the identification and a description of the parental involvement opportunities available to parents;
• Options available to parents to transfer their child to another public school in the LEA that is not identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring; and
• The supplemental educational services that are available to eligible children. (See also E-3 and G-4) §200.37; §200.38; §200.43