NCLB is the current reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It  was signed into law on January 8, 2002 and increased the role of federal government in K-12 education. NCLB contains four education reform principles, stronger accountability, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents and an emphasis on the use of scientifically based research to drive instruction. Title I, Part A of this act is the largest federal education program. It is the chief way the federal government holds states and local school districts accountable for the achievement of all students.

Any district or school in Ohio that does not meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive years, as defined by the state’s accountability system, must be identified for school improvement. NCLB requires each state to notify parents of any district in “District Improvement” status. In addition, NCLB requires each district to notify the parents of children enrolled in any school in “School Improvement” status.

Schools must develop a two year plan that addresses the academic issues that caused it to be identified in need of improvement. If the school receives Title I dollars, parents of children attending this school must be notified of the school improvement status, the way the school plans to address these issues, how they can be involved in the process and an explanation of public school choice and supplemental services as it applies to their child’s Title I school.

The district will offer the parents of students in a Title I school in school improvement status the opportunity to transfer their children to another district school that is not in school improvement. Schools to which a child can be transferred will be listed in the parent notification letter. There are a limited number of transfer spaces and the number may vary by school.

In addition to the regular classroom instruction, supplemental services such as tutoring can be offered to children in Title I schools that have been in school improvement for two or more consecutive years. The Ohio Department of Education provides school districts with a list of approved providers. This information will be provided to parents as soon as it is available annually.