DelawarePrioritySchoolsESEAInitiativeDelawarePTAMOU.pdfVIP

Delaware Priority Schools ESEA Initiative Delaware PTA MOU Outcomes Brief This brief is the first of three briefs covering the planning phases of the Priority School initiative for Delaware covering the years 2014 to 2018. In addition to this MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) brief, we intend to issue a preliminary and final Priority Schools Plan brief analysis. The purpose of this and subsequent analysis briefs, is to provide a review, from the perspective of Delaware PTA - as the representative body for parents and teachers in the state of Delaware, on the feasibility, efficacy and level of inclusion demonstrated in the MOUs presented by the Delaware Department of Education. The analysis also includes an overview of responsibility for the success or failure of each phase to appropriately address and support the goals stated. In our review of this MOU we looked to identify the following components; 1. Adequate levels of funding 2. Indication of robust collaboration and levels of communication 3. Sufficient and reasonable timeline for implementation 4. Level and type of accountability for each stakeholder group We believe these components will directly impact the level of success, or lack thereof in implementing strategies for successfully turning around the six identified Priority Schools within the next three years. Executive summary: The federal mandate created by the ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Waiver outlines how academic performance is measured at the school level. Based on this federal mandate, all public schools are required to meet Adequate Yearly Performance (AYP) goals which are determined by the level of proficiency on state assessments. The mandate requires that any school not meeting AYP for two consecutive school years, be plac