NCLB Section 1116

Requirements for School Improvement Plans

3) SCHOOL PLAN-

(A) REVISED PLAN- After the resolution of a review under paragraph (2), each school identified under paragraph (1) for school improvement shall, not later than 3 months after being so identified, develop or revise a school plan, in consultation with parents, school staff, the local educational agency serving the school, and outside experts, for approval by such local educational agency. The school plan shall cover a 2-year period and -

(i) incorporate strategies based on scientifically based research that will strengthen the core academic subjects in the school and address the specific academic issues that caused the school to be identified for school improvement, and may include a strategy for the implementation of a comprehensive school reform model that includes each of the components described in part F;

(ii) adopt policies and practices concerning the school's core academic subjects that have the greatest likelihood of ensuring that all groups of students specified in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v) and enrolled in the school will meet the State's proficient level of achievement on the State academic assessment described in section 1111(b)(3) not later than 12 years after the end of the 2001-2002 school year;

(iii) provide an assurance that the school will spend not less than 10 percent of the funds made available to the school under section 1113 for each fiscal year that the school is in school improvement status, for the purpose of providing to the school's teachers and principal high-quality professional development that -

(I) directly addresses the academic achievement problem that caused the school to be identified for school improvement;

(II) meets the requirements for professional development activities under section 1119;

(III) is provided in a manner that affords increased opportunity for participating in that professional development;

(iv) specify how the funds described in clause (iii) will be used to remove the school from school improvement status;

(v) establish specific annual, measurable objectives for continuous and substantial progress by each group of students specified in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v) and enrolled in the school that will ensure that all such groups of students will, in accordance with adequate yearly progress as defined in section 1111(b)(2), meet the State's proficient level of achievement on the State academic assessment described in section 1111(b)(3) not later than 12 years after the end of the 2001-2002 school year;

(vi) describe how the school will provide written notice about the identification to parents of each student enrolled in such school, in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language that the parents can understand;

(vii) specify the responsibilities of the school, the local educational agency, and the State educational agency serving the school under the plan, including the technical assistance to be provided by the local educational agency under paragraph (4) and the local educational agency's responsibilities under section 1120A;

(viii) include strategies to promote effective parental involvement in the school;

(ix) incorporate, as appropriate, activities before school, after school, during the summer, and during any extension of the school year; and

(x) incorporate a teacher mentoring program.

(B) CONDITIONAL APPROVAL- The local educational agency may condition approval of a school plan under this paragraph on -

(i) inclusion of one or more of the corrective actions specified in paragraph (7)(C)(iv); or

(ii) feedback on the school improvement plan from parents and community leaders.

(C) PLAN IMPLEMENTATION- Except as provided in subparagraph (D), a school shall implement the school plan (including a revised plan) expeditiously, but not later than the beginning of the next full school year following the identification under paragraph (1).

(D) PLAN APPROVED DURING SCHOOL YEAR- Notwithstanding subparagraph (C), if a plan is not approved prior to the beginning of a school year, such plan shall be implemented immediately upon approval.

(E) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY APPROVAL- The local educational agency, within 45 days of receiving a school plan, shall -

(i) establish a peer review process to assist with review of the school plan; and

(ii) promptly review the school plan, work with the school as necessary, and approve the school plan if the plan meets the requirements of this paragraph.