The law specifies consequences for the schools and districts receiving Title I, Part A funds that do not meet the AYP targets for two or more years in a row.
After two consecutive years of failing to meet AYP targets, a school enters Step 1 and is subject to the related consequences (see below). If AYP is met the next year, the school or district stays at Step 1; if AYP is not met, it moves to Step 2. If AYP is met for two consecutive years, the school exits school improvement.
School consequences and applicability:
Step 1 schools:
• Are identified for school improvement and must notify parents of their status;
• Will receive technical assistance to improve performance and may be eligible to receive federal funds for school improvement activities;
• Must develop or revise the school improvement plan not later than three months after being identified for improvement; must cover a two-year period;
• Must offer parents the opportunity to transfer their student(s) to another public school within the district that has not been identified for school improvement, if one exists (Public School Choice); and
• Must pay for transportation if transfer is requested. They may use up to 5 percent of their Title I funds for this purpose unless a lesser amount is needed. Under certain circumstances districts may use an additional 10 percent of Title I funds, if necessary, to provide Public School Choice. If requests exceed the amount of Title I funds available for this purpose, priority is given to the lowest-achieving students from low-income families.
Step 2 schools
• Are identified for their second year of school improvement and must notify parents of their status;
• Must continue to offer Public School Choice as described above; and
• Must offer parents the opportunity to request Supplemental Educational Services, such as tutoring, to low-achieving students. As with transportation above, districts use up to 5 percent of their Title I funds for Supplemental Educational Services unless a lesser amount is needed. If needed, an additional 10 percent of Title I funds may be used to cover the costs of Public School Choice, Supplemental Educational Services or both. No more than 20 percent of Title I funds may be used for Public School Choice and Supplemental Educational Services.
Step 3 schools (failed to make AYP four years in a row):
• Are identified for corrective action and must notify parents of their status;
• Must continue to offer Public School Choice and Supplemental Educational Services; and
• Must select options from the following:
• Replace certain school staff;
• Implement a new curriculum and provide additional professional development;
• Significantly decrease management authority;
• Appoint an outside expert to advise on school improvement plan;
• Extend the school year or school day; or
• Restructure the internal organization of the school.
Step 4 schools (failed to make AYP five years in a row):
• Are identified for restructuring and must notify parents of their status;
• Must continue to offer Public School Choice and Supplemental Educational Services; and
• Must begin planning for restructuring (see below).
Step 5 schools (failed to make AYP six years in a row):
• Must implement restructuring; and
• Must select options from the following:
• Replace all or most of relevant school staff;
• Contract with outside entity to operate school;
• If the state agrees, undergo a state takeover; or
• Undertake any other major restructuring of school.
– Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Education
