Minnesota Parent Notification Guidance under the ESEA Flexibility Waiver for Priority, Focus and Continuous Improvement Schools

In February 2012, the U.S. Department of Education approved Minnesota’s request for ESEA Flexibility, which now allows the state to hold schools accountable in a different way. Using the Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR) and Focus Rating (FR), Minnesota now measures schools on multiple indicators of success and uses those ratings in a system of recognition, accountability and support. The MMR is used to assign Title I schools to three categories:

Parent Notification Requirements

Under the waiver, Priority, Focus and Continuous Improvement schools are required to notify parents of their status upon identification and in each subsequent year until they exit their status. Because regular communication is the foundation of effective parental involvement, districts and schools must continue to provide information about district, school, and student progress to parents. Priority, Focus and Continuous Improvement schools must promptly notify parents of each student enrolled in the school. Notification of Priority and Focus schools should occur before the school year begins. Given the timeline for release of MMR and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in late August, district must notify parents regarding the status of Continuous Improvement schools by October 1.

The notification letters must inform parents of the school’s status and how they can be engaged in their child’s education. The notification letters must be in an understandable, uniform format, including alternative formats available upon request and to the extent practicable, in a language that parents can understand. The information must be provided directly to parents on school or district letterhead through regular mail or email and post it on their website. Additionally, the information must be disseminated through a broader means such as the media, public agencies serving the student population and their families and sending it home in backpacks. . [34 C.F.R. §200.36].

Districts are required to attach the dated parent notification letter for each focus, priority and continuous improvement school to the Title I, Part A application in SERVS.

The Minnesota Department of Education has made available parent notification letter templates in English, Hmong Karen, Somali and Spanish. Districts should use the templates but must customize using relevant school information as well as the school or district letterhead. The templates are posted on the MDE website under School Support. To navigate to the site, go to the MDE Website and click on School Support, Federal Title Programs (ESEA), Federal Accountability. Scroll down the page to locate the letter templates.

What is the role of parents and the broader community in implementing ESEA flexibility?

Under ESEA flexibility, parents will continue to receive information on their children’s progress in meeting State academic achievement standards as well as their school’s success in helping all students meet those standards. Parents will know whether their children’s schools are succeeding, by being identified as reward schools, or falling short, by being identified as priority or focus schools. When schools fall short, parents can be assured that school leaders will adopt strategies focused on school needs and targeted towards the students most at risk.

Under general provisions of ESEA (SEC. 9101(23)), parental involvement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring:

With the approved ESEA Flexibility Waiver, must local education agencies (LEAs) continue to reserve district funds for parental involvement activities outlined in section 1118?

Yes. An LEA that receives a Title I, Part A allocation of greater than $500,000 must reserve not less than one percent of its Title I, Part A allocation to carry out the provisions of section 1118, including promoting family literacy and parenting skills. The percentage reserved for parental involvement must be calculated on the basis of the LEA’s total Title I, Part A allocation. [Section 1118(a)(3)(A), ESEA.]

What other parent notification requirements does Title I require?

Further questions regarding parent notification for Priority, Focus and Continuous Improvement Schools can be referred to debra.landvik@state.mn.us 651-582-8763.