1. Illinois State Board of Education Implementation of School Choice and Supplemental Educational Services District Technical Assistance Workshop June 2007

2. School Choice Guidancefor Letter From Districts to Parents/Guardians

3. Recipients Parents/guardians of all students enrolled in Title I schools identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring Parents/guardians of all students enrolled in Title I schools identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring

4. Sample Letter Adapted from U.S. Department of Educations Non-Regulatory Guidance on School Choice - June13, 2005 Adapted from U.S. Department of Educations Non-Regulatory Guidance on School Choice - June13, 2005 Specific elements required Specific elements required Helps ensure district meets the requirements Helps ensure district meets the requirements

5. ISBE Requirement Districts must submit parent letters to ISBE for approval prior to sending letter to parents Districts must submit parent letters to ISBE for approval prior to sending letter to parents Helps district to ensure it meets federal requirements Helps district to ensure it meets federal requirements Contact: Evelyn Deimel Contact: Evelyn Deimel 217-782-2948 217-782-2948 edeimel@isbe.netedeimel@isbe.net (preferred) edeimel@isbe.net

6. Recommendations Notification must be in a comprehensive, easy-to-understand format and in a language the parents can understand Notification must be in a comprehensive, easy-to-understand format and in a language the parents can understand In the sample letter, the school district fills in appropriate information where the parentheses ( ) appear In the sample letter, the school district fills in appropriate information where the parentheses ( ) appear

7. To keep the letter brief, include the following attachments: To keep the letter brief, include the following attachments: School Report Card AYP Status Report List of schools to which students can transfer and information regarding their transfer and information regarding their academic achievement academic achievement

8. Sample Letter To assist school districts with the preparation of their letters, a sample School Choice letter is provided. Use this sample letter and the check list to ensure that the School Choice letter to the parents contains all the essential elements required in the statute. To assist school districts with the preparation of their letters, a sample School Choice letter is provided. Use this sample letter and the check list to ensure that the School Choice letter to the parents contains all the essential elements required in the statute.

9. NCLB Requirements An explanation of what the school improvement identification means An explanation of what the school improvement identification means what year of improvement what year of improvement what is required what is required

10. How the school compares in terms of academic achievement to other schools served by the Local Education Agency and State How the school compares in terms of academic achievement to other schools served by the Local Education Agency and State School Report Card School Report Card

11. The reason(s) for the schools being identified for school improvement The reason(s) for the schools being identified for school improvement Adequate Yearly Progress Report

12. An explanation of what the school identified for school improvement is doing to address the problems of low achievement An explanation of what the school identified for school improvement is doing to address the problems of low achievement initiatives at the school building level initiatives at the school building level

13. An explanation of what the local education agency or State educational agency is doing to help the school address the achievement problem An explanation of what the local education agency or State educational agency is doing to help the school address the achievement problem initiatives at the school district level or initiatives at the school district level or at the State level at the State level

14. An explanation of how the parents can become involved in addressing the academic issues that caused the school to be identified for school improvement An explanation of how the parents can become involved in addressing the academic issues that caused the school to be identified for school improvement places emphasis on parent involvement places emphasis on parent involvement and investment in schools success and investment in schools success

15. An explanation of the parents option to transfer the child to another public school with transportation provided by the agency An explanation of the parents option to transfer the child to another public school with transportation provided by the agency In small school districts or if the district has only one school per grade span, the school is required to send the notice and state that no viable School Choice option is available. In small school districts or if the district has only one school per grade span, the school is required to send the notice and state that no viable School Choice option is available.

16. Option: Supplemental Educational Service during the first year of school improvement Supplemental Educational Service during the first year of school improvement if no School Choice option is available if no School Choice option is available

17. Supplemental Educational Services Guidancefor Letter From Districts to Parents/Guardians

18. Recipients Parents/guardians who are defined by the district as low income Parents/guardians who are defined by the district as low income Low income – district determined Low income – district determined Commonly, parents of students on free or reduced lunches Commonly, parents of students on free or reduced lunches

19. Sample Letter Adapted from U.S. Department of Educations Non-Regulatory Guidance on SES - June13, 2005 Adapted from U.S. Department of Educations Non-Regulatory Guidance on SES - June13, 2005 Specific elements required Specific elements required Helps ensure district meets the requirements Helps ensure district meets the requirements

20. ISBE Requirement Districts must submit parent letters to ISBE for approval prior to sending letter to parents Districts must submit parent letters to ISBE for approval prior to sending letter to parents Helps district to ensure it meets federal requirements Helps district to ensure it meets federal requirements Contact: Evelyn Deimel Contact: Evelyn Deimel217-782-2948 edeimel@isbe.netedeimel@isbe.net (preferred) edeimel@isbe.net

21. Recommendations KISS KISS Preference: 1 page Preference: 1 page Include attachments: Include attachments: Approved Provider List Provider Selection Form

22. Sample Letter To assist school districts with the preparation of their letters, a sample Supplementary Educational Services letter is provided. Use this sample letter and the check list to ensure that the Supplementary Educational Services letter to the parents contains all the essential elements required in the statute. To assist school districts with the preparation of their letters, a sample Supplementary Educational Services letter is provided. Use this sample letter and the check list to ensure that the Supplementary Educational Services letter to the parents contains all the essential elements required in the statute.

23. NCLB Requirements An explanation why the child qualifies for SES (free tutoring) An explanation why the child qualifies for SES (free tutoring) Second year or later of school improvementSecond year or later of school improvement Family meets income limits under lawFamily meets income limits under law

24. List of Questions to Ask When Selecting a Tutoring Program List of Questions to Ask When Selecting a Tutoring Program When and where When and where How often; how many hours in total How often; how many hours in total What programs, by grade level and subject areas What programs, by grade level and subject areas What type of instruction What type of instruction Tutors qualifications Tutors qualifications Help for child with disabilities or limited English speaking Help for child with disabilities or limited English speaking Available transportation Available transportation

25. Selection of Students Selection of Students How students are selected if there are How students are selected if there are limited funds limited funds Priority is given to low-performing students District determines low-performing

26. Procedures and Timelines Procedures and Timelines Procedures for selecting service provider Procedures for selecting service provider Due date for selection Due date for selection Date of parent fairs (optional) Date of parent fairs (optional) Date by which school will respond to parents Date by which school will respond to parents

27. Attachments Attachments List of Service Providers List of Service Providers Currently approved Currently approved Services provided Services provided Qualification Qualification Evidence of effectiveness Evidence of effectiveness Provider Selection Form Provider Selection Form Form that parents will complete and submit Form that parents will complete and submit