Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Title I Administration Made EasierFall Title I Statewide ConferenceNovember 5, 2014
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
2
Purpose
Offer suggestions on ways to improve efficiencies and implementation of Title I programs
Help ease the burden of administering the Title I grant
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
3
Tip 1: Don’t recreate the wheel
Our office has created templates for just about any required Title I document
Find them all here:http://www.doe.mass.edu/apa/titlei/
Note: This is an excellent way to ensure each document contains all the requirements Supplement vs. Supplant policies Time and Effort reports (including stipends) Outreach letter to private schools
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
4
Tip 2: If you are new, start here:
Make sure you are listed as the Title I Director in Directory Administration
Title I handbook document extremely helpful for new directors: http://www.doe.mass.edu/apa/titlei/handbook
Title I website has a list of all major topics with resources: http://www.doe.mass.edu/apa/titlei/parta/program-design
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
5
Tip 3: Document, document, document! Document and save the work the district is doing:
Outreach to parents/guardians Meeting agendas Meeting notes Sign-in sheets Important emails
Include date on documents when you revise them Find a system that is simple and works for you
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
6
Tip 4: Your colleagues are a great source of information There are opportunities to learn from and share
information with your colleagues Regional Networking Meetings Title I Conferences CACE (Council of Administrators for Compensatory
Education) ESE website lists all the Title I Directors:http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search/search.aspx?leftNavId=11239
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
7
Tip 5: Private school outreach
When reaching out to private schools to inquire about their participation in Title I services: 1. Use email first 2. If no response, then send a letter by certified mail
Why? Email is free Emails and certified mail are simple to document
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
8
Tip 6: Private school documentation
Keep every communication with private schools in a folder for easy access later
(If records are kept electronically) Keep in an easily accessible folder: Emails to districts inviting them to participate Scanned images of return-receipts for certified letters Signed documents confirming participation (or not) in
Title I program Template letter to be sent every year
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
9
Tip 7: Combine requirements
Title I requires parents to be notified that they have the right to know teacher and paraprofessional qualifications
Title I requires that a report card (overview) be sent to parents each year
Have ONE document for both requirements
See our website for an examplehttp://www.doe.mass.edu/apa/accountability/reportcard/
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
10
Tip 8: Apply for funds quickly
Applying for Title I funds as early as possible yields several benefits The sooner the district is approved, the sooner they can
begin spending Title I funds Turnaround time for ESE to review the grant can be
much quicker
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
11
Tip 9: Combine amendments
Every year many districts receive increases to their allocation (winter/early spring)
If a district needs to make an amendment around that time, combine that change with the increase amount and only do one amendment
Consider doing Title I and Title IIA amendments together
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
12
Tip 10: Rethink “Title I Meetings”
If a school/district’s annual Title I meetings are not well attended, consider other options
Title I meetings can be held on the same evenings as other, more well attended events: Back-to-School nights Sporting events School musical or artistic performances Parent/Teacher conferences
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
13
Tip 11: Common ways of getting parent input PTO or Parent Council School Council (which are required to have
parents) Parent surveys
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
14
Tip 12: Use old money first
Grants have a two year life cycle. FY15 grants can be spent July 1, 2014-June 30, 2016 If unspent after two years, the money could be returned
to the federal government Always make sure last year’s funds get spent Utilize the amendment process if necessary Use FY14 money now!
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
15
Tip 13: Meet regularly with the business manager Can reduce incidents of:
Over/under spending in a line item Needing to complete amendments Funds being inadvertently misused
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
16
Tip 14: Know your district’s “control user” for grants In some districts the grant management control
user is the business manager If they are different people, talk to both regularly
as that will provide a complete fiscal picture
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
17
Helpful Resources
Title I Website: http://www.doe.mass.edu/apa/titlei Grant Application Materials Title I Program
Program Design Title I Handbook and Guidance Program Review
Email: [email protected] Phone: 781-338-6230
