Archived FedPro Message
SUBJECT: Seeking Comments Regarding Title I.A School Improvement Grant 1003(g) Waiver Request
LISTSERV MESSAGE DATE: January 21, 2010
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is currently seeking comments on our intent to request waivers regarding the following Title I, Part A, Section 1003 (g) School Improvement Grant provisions and requirements. Information on the grant application is available at: http://www.ed.gov/programs/sif/applicant.html .
By February 4, 2010, please send comments to webreplyimprfii@dese.mo.gov.
Missouri requests a waiver of the requirements it has listed below. These waivers would allow any local educational agency (LEA) in the State that receives a School Improvement Grant to use those funds in accordance with the final requirements for School Improvement Grants and the LEA’s application for a grant.
The State believes that the requested waiver(s) will increase the quality of instruction for students and improve the academic achievement of students in Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III schools by enabling an LEA to use more effectively the school improvement funds to implement one of the four school intervention models in its Tier I or Tier II schools and to carry out school improvement activities in its Tier III schools. The four school intervention models are specifically designed to substantially raise the achievement of students in the State’s Tier I and Tier II schools.
- Waive section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. § 1225(b)) to extend the period of availability of school improvement funds for the SEA and all of its LEAs to September 30, 2013.
- Waive section 1116(b)(12) of the ESEA to permit LEAs to allow their Tier I and Tier II Title I participating schools that will implement a turnaround or restart model to “start over” in the school improvement timeline.
- Waive the 40 percent poverty eligibility threshold in section 1114(a)(1) of the ESEA to permit LEAs to implement a schoolwide program in a Tier I or Tier II Title I participating school that does not meet the poverty threshold.
The State assures that it will ensure that any LEA that chooses to implement one or more of these waivers will comply with section II.A.8 of the final requirements.
The State assures that it will permit an LEA to implement the waiver(s) only if the LEA receives a School Improvement Grant and requests to implement the waiver(s) in its application. As such, the LEA may only implement the waiver(s) in Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III schools, as applicable, included in its application.
If you have questions, please contact Larry Flakne.
Larry Flakne, Director
Federal Instructional Improvement
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Telephone: 573-751-9437