The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as reauthorized by the No Child Left Behind Act requires states to hold schools accountable for their performance. Historically, this has been done through the use of the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measurement.

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), the state now measures schools on multiple indicators of success and uses those ratings in a system of recognition, accountability and support.

2012 AYP and MMR results were released in late August. These results reflect student performance on tests given during the 2011-12 school year. E-mail mde.nclbwaiver@state.mn.us with questions about the release of this data and general questions about AYP and the MMR.

Focus, Priority, and Continuous Improvement Parent Notification Requirements
Priority, Focus and Continuous Improvement schools are required to notify parents of their status as soon as they are identified and each year following until they move out of this status. Parent notification of Priority and Focus schools should occur before the school year begins; notification of Continuous Improvement schools should be done by October 1.

Notification letters must include the school’s status and how parents can be engaged in their child’s education. The 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 posted on the district website and must also be disseminated in a broader way, such as through the media, public agencies serving students and families, and by sending it home in backpacks.

The templates below may be used for parent notification after specific district information is added:

• Focus School Parent Notification template:   English   Hmong   Karen   Somali   Spanish
• Priority School Parent Notification template:   English   Hmong   Karen   Somali   Spanish
• Continuous Improvement Parent Notification template:   English   Hmong   Karen   Somali   Spanish
   

• Alternate Assessments AYP Waiver 
  This document provides background information regarding the alternate assessment waiver process
• 2013 Waiver Procedures Guide 
  This document provides background information regarding the alternate assessment waiver process
• Requirements for Continuous Improvement Schools 
  Requirements for Continuous Improvement Schools are described in this document.
• Minnesota's ESEA Flexibility Request Summary 
  
• Growth Scores Explained 2012 
  
• Teacher Quality Information 2010-2011 
  This document is an excerpt from the Minnesota Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR). This section collects data on "highly qualified" teachers.
• New Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Targets 
  
• NCLB Waiver FAQs 
  Frequently Asked Questions about the NCLB Waiver. (updated March 19, 2012)
• Minnesota's New Accountability System 
  PowerPoint Presentation (updated March 7, 2012)
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Waiver Glossary 
  Updated March 1
• Minnesota's Waiver - Explained 
  
• ESEA Flexibility Request Approval Letter 
  
• AYP Appeals Procedure Guide 
  This document provides information on submitting, editing and following AYP Appeals through Test WES