INCREASED ACCOUNTABILITY

• Annual testing in mathematics and reading in grades 3-8 will begin in 2005-06
• Annual science assessments in three grades will begin by 2007-08
• Participation by districts in the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) will be at 95%
• English language development assessments will be developed by the state
• English Language Proficiency Assessments will be given for limited English proficient (LEP) students
• Adequate yearly progress (AYP) will apply to all public schools in California. Only Title I Schools are identified for school improvement, corrective action and restructuring.
• Data from the state assessments will be used to determine AYP
• The percent of teachers who are highly qualified will increase
• Parents must be notified if their child is being taught by an unqualified teacher for 4 or more weeks
• Title I Allocations: All lead educational agencies (LEAs) shall use 5-10% for professional development to help teachers become highly qualified
• When districts are on improvement, they must spend 10% of allocation for professional development
• Reporting to parents and the public will increase
• District report cards are required

INCREASED FISCAL FLEXIBILITY

• Districts can transfer as much as 50% of certain program funds to other programs (30% if on improvement)
• Districts can put money into Title I but can’t take money out of Title I for another program
• Rural Education Achievement Program continues. (Average daily attendance [ADA] < 600 or county: 10 people per square mile)

How funds may be used:

• Title I A—Disadvantaged Student
• Title II A—Teacher Quality
• Title II D—Technology
• Title III—English Language Acquisition
• Title IV A—Safe & Drug Free
• Title IV B—21^st Century Community Learning Centers
• Title V A—Innovative Programs

SCIENTIFICALLY-BASED RESEARCH

• Federal resources are to be used on activities, programs, or models that are proven to be effective
• The focus is on reading as seen with the Reading First program

• Phonics instruction
• Fluency Instruction
• Vocabulary Instruction
• Text comprehension instruction

CHOICES FOR PARENTS

• Parents will have the option of using Title I resources to pay for supplemental services (i.e., after school tutoring) from approved providers. This occurs once a school is in the second year of improvement.
• Parents have the choice to move their child from a school that is on improvement to one that is not (within the district).

KEY TITLES IN THE NEW LAW

Title I, Part A

• Emphasis on hiring highly qualified teachers
• Went into effect January 8, 2002
• Implement programs based on scientific research

Specific qualifications for Title I paraprofessionals:

• Complete 2 years at institute or higher ed. (24-30 hrs.) or associates degree OR meet rigorous standards demonstrated through an assessment
• Current paraprofessionals have 4 years to meet the requirements.

Title II, Part A

• No longer the Eisenhower math and science focus as we have known it
• Recruiting, training and retaining highly qualified teachers are emphasized
• Class-size reduction program has been folded into the new Title II
• Includes professional development but funds may not pay for 1 day workshops. (Should be sustained through the entire year.) LEAs must conduct a needs assessment to determine professional development needs.
• Districts no longer have to participate in a consortium if they receive less than $10,000 dollars

Title III

• Emphasis is placed on English language acquisition
• It replaces the Title VII Bilingual program
• Funds are distributed by CA Dept. of Education instead of U.S. Dept. of Education

Title IV

Part One: Safe and Drug-Free Schools

• No competitive grants in safe and drug-free schools

Part Two: 21^st Century Community Learning Center Grants

• Through CA Department of Education rather than U.S. Department of Education

Title V Innovative Strategies

Counseling programs for at-risk, establish or enhance pre-K programs, expand/improve mental health services, gifted/talented programs, hire and support school nurses, instructional and educational materials, parent/community involvement activities, implement charter schools, professional development activities related to academic content, professional development regarding using technology, magnet schools, expanding school choice, reduce class size in early grades, school safety programs, service learning activities.

Date last updated: July 8, 2004