CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

DIVISION OF TEACHING, LEARNING AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

2009-10

State Agency Application for Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth who are Neglected, Delinquent or At-Risk

20 U.S.C. § 6421et seq.

P.L. 107-110

Applications Due: September 18, 2009

The state agency application is due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2009. One original and one copy are to be mailed or delivered to the following address:

Carla Ghostlaw – Room 215

Connecticut State Department of Education

Bureau of Teaching and Learning

165 Capitol Ave., P. O. Box 2219

Hartford, CT 06145-2219

CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Mark K. McQuillan

Commissioner of Education

“The State of Connecticut Department of Education is committed to a policy of equal

opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons and does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws. Inquiries regarding the Department of Education’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to the Equal Employment Opportunity Manager, State of Connecticut Department of Education, 25 Industrial Park Road, Middletown, Connecticut06457, (860) 807-2071.”

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Grant Background Info. / Page
Purpose (Section 1401) / 1
Eligibility (Section 1411) / 1
Use of Funds (Section 1415) / 1
Reporting Requirements (Section 1431) / 2
Management and Control of the Program and Grant Consultation Role of the State / 2
Grant Application Packet
Cover Page / 3
Application Requirements (Section 1414(c)) / 4
Institution-Wide Projects (Section 1416) / 8
Transition Services (Section 1418) / 9
Program Evaluation (Section 1431) / 10
Instructions for ED 114 Budget Form / 11
Budget / 12
Budget Justification / 13
Appendices
Appendix A: Title I Assurances (Section 1414) / 14
Appendix B: Statement of Assurances / 15
Appendix C: Debarment and Suspension / 19
Appendix D: Certification that a Current Affirmative Action Packet is on File / 20
Appendix E: Annie E. Casey Foundation / 21

Purpose (Section1401):

The purpose of this program is:

  • to improve educational services for children and youth in local and state institutions for neglected or delinquent children and youth so that such children and youth have the opportunity to meet the same challenging state academic content standards and challenging state student academic achievement standards that all children in the state are expected to meet;
  • to provide such children and youth with the services needed to make a successful transition from institutionalization to further schooling or employment; and
  • to prevent at-risk youth from dropping out of school, and to provide dropouts and children and youth returning from correctional facilities or institutions for neglected or delinquent children and youth, with a support system to ensure their continued education.

Eligibility (Section 1411)

A state agency is eligible for assistance if such state agency is responsible for providing free public education for children and youth:

a.in institutions for neglected or delinquent children and youth;

b.attending community day programs for neglected or delinquent children and youth; or

c.in adult correction institutions.

Use of Funds (Section 1415)

Under the authorizing statute, a state agency must use Title I funds to support educational services that are provided to children and youth identified by the state agency as failing, or most at-risk of failing, to meet the state’s challenging academic content and student academic achievement standards, except for institution-wide projects under Section 1416 (see Section 1415(a)(2)(B)(i)). Funds are intended to supplement and improve the quality of educational services provided to these children and youth by the state agency and afford such children and youth the opportunity to meet challenging state academic achievement standards. The statute further provides that Title I funds may be used to acquire equipment and cover the costs of meeting the evaluation requirements of Section 9601.

Projects may use Title I funds to pay the necessary and reasonable costs that provide a variety of services, including reading, mathematics, language arts and vocationally- oriented programs that include academic classroom instruction, so long as these are supplementary services and materials. For example, past Title I projects have used funds to:

  • hire additional teachers, aides, educational counselors and other staff members to provide additional instruction in areas of greatest need;
  • train teachers, aides and other staff members who are actively involved in providing Title I services;
  • procure needed educational materials and equipment for Title I instruction, including books, computers, audiovisual equipment, supplies and classroom materials for industrial arts and vocational training; and
  • hire transition coordinators or buy new equipment to assist students’ transitions (e.g., purchasing scanners to scan individualized education program (IEP) documents).

Reporting Requirements (Section 1431)

Each state agency must evaluate the program (see Program Evaluation, page 10):

1.submit evaluation results to the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE); and

2.use the results of the evaluation under this section to plan and improve subsequent programs for participating children and youth.

Management and Control of the Program and Grant Consultation Role of the State

The grantee has overall management control of the grant. While state agency staff may be consulted for their expertise, they will not be directly responsible for the selection of subgrantees or vendors, nor will they be directly involved in the expenditure and payment of funds obligated by the grantee or subgrantee.

CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Division of Teaching, Learning and Instructional Leadership

State Agency Application for Entitlement Grant for Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth who are Neglected, Delinquent or At-Risk

Title I, Part D, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

Subpart 1 – State Agency Programs

FY2009-10

School District______Code______

Title I Coordinator Contact Information:

Name: ______

Address:______

Phone:______Fax:______

E-mail:______

CERTIFICATION

I certify that all statements contained herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that all state and federal assurances shall be fully implemented.

Superintendent of Schools (signature)Date Signed

Superintendent of Schools (please type or print)

PhoneE-mail

Application Requirements (Section 1414(c))

In order to receive funding to operate the Title I, Part D, state agency program, please provide sufficient information for each of the following requirements. Please prepare your plan in a manner that corresponds in order with the items below.

  1. Student Eligibility and Assessment of Need

Describe the procedures to be used, consistent with Section 1111 of Public Law 107-110, to determine eligibility and assess the educational needs of the children to be served in your program. Information to consider when completing this section of the application is listed below:

  • uniform multiple criteria for ensuring objective selection process (academic performance, tests, staff recommendations, school district records). If the Connecticut Mastery Test(CMT)or the Connecticut Academic Performance Test(CAPT) is used, indicate to what extent and how many students within the educational program are tested;
  • staff and auxiliary service providers who identified students most in need of support; and
  • methods and assessments used to document student progress throughout the program year.
  1. Program Description

Provide a description of the program by specifying the services and activities that will be conducted and supported by Title I funds. Information to consider when completing this section of the application is listed below:

  • services and activities, including where they will take place;
  • instructional salaries;
  • supplies;
  • as appropriate, activities and programs that involve parents, guardians and family members;
  • how services and activities are related to student outcome goals;
  • how services and activities will contribute to the successful transition of the student out of the facility; and
  • related budget sheets.
  1. Goals and Objectives

Describe the program goals and objectives. Address to the extent applicable the following:

  • student accrual of school credits that meet state educational secondary requirements;
  • educational achievement based on CMT and CAPT results or alternative criteria;
  • student transition to a local education agency (LEA) program;
  • students graduating from high school or obtaining their GED;
  • support systems, such as counseling, tutoring and learning centers to ensure successful transition of students;
  • student transition for completion of education requirements to skills training program, higher education or job entry;
  • support for students identified at risk of not completing public school program and in danger of correctional facility assignment; and
  • high-quality instruction, diverse transition opportunities and dropout prevention services.
  1. Consultation and Training for Institution-Wide Projects

Describe how the state agency will consult with experts and provide the necessary training for appropriate staff to ensure that the planning and operation of institution-wide projects under Section 1416 are of high-quality. Consultation and training should at least address to the extent possible the following:

  • persons to be involved in planning;
  • sufficient planning time;
  • meeting intent and purposes of all programs/sources in entire educational program;
  • utilizing research-based effective practices appropriate to the population served;
  • continual review of student progress; and
  • continual revision of program, as necessary.
  1. Coordination with Other Federal, State and Local Programs

Describe how the programs will be coordinated with other appropriate state and federal programs, such as programs under Title I of Public Law 105-220, vocational and technical education programs, state, local dropout prevention programs, and special education programs. Address the following, along with any other information pertinent to your program, when completing this section:

  • frequency and extent of coordination;
  • service programs and outreach activities with public school districts;
  • community service agencies (health, counseling, employment, assessment and training);
  • municipalities;
  • institutions for higher learning;
  • services for students with disabilities;
  • services for students with limited English proficiency;
  • recidivism retention services; and
  • if institution-wide project, how Title I funds are combined with other federal, state and local funds to upgrade the entire educational program.
  1. Coordination with School Districts or Alternative Education Programs for Shared Student Records

Describe how the state agency will encourage facilities receiving funds under Title I to coordinate with local school districts or alternative detention programs attended by youth prior to their incarceration to ensure that student assessments and appropriate academic records are shared jointly between the facility and the local school district or alternative education program.

7.Professional Development

Describe how appropriate professional development will be provided to teachers and other staff. Consider the following when completing this section:

  • professional development activities available for staff involved with Title I students (Note: All students are considered Title I students in institution-wide projects);
  • workshops, inservice, conferences and college affiliations for staff;
  • how activities will assist students in meeting the learning standards of the Connecticut Curriculum Frameworks;
  • neglected or delinquent institution-specific activities; and
  • activities implemented in coordination with other LEAs, public schools and correctional facilities.
  1. Coordination with Businesses for Training and Mentoring

Describe how the state agency will endeavor to coordinate with businesses for training and mentoring for participating children and youth. Address at least the following when completing this section:

  • efforts to coordinate;
  • actual coordination;
  • businesses involved in training and mentoring; and
  • how such training and mentoring meets the student needs and goals of program.
  1. Transition Contact Information

Designate an individual in the facility or institution to be responsible for issues relating to the transition of children and youth from the facility or institution to locally operated programs.

  1. Additional Services

Describe any additional services to be provided to youth, such as career counseling, distance learning and assistance in securing student loans and grants.

Institution-Wide Projects (Section 1416)

A state agency that provides free public education for children and youth in an institution for neglected or delinquent children and youth (other than an adult correctional institution), or attending a community-day program for such children and youth, may use Title I funds to serve all children in, and upgrade the entire educational effort of, that institution or program. The institution-wide project plan must address in detail the first seven requirements listed below. The assurance must be included in the signed assurance page that will accompany the agency’s plan. The plan and resulting outcomes must demonstrate that the intent and purposes of the programs for which funds are used collectively to upgrade the entire educational program are being met.

If you plan to run an institution-wide project, you must attach for approval a comprehensive plan that:

  1. provides for a comprehensive assessment of the educational needs of all children and youth in the institution or program serving juveniles;
  1. provides for a comprehensive assessment of the educational needs of youth age 20 or younger in adult facilities who are expected to complete incarceration within a two-year period;
  1. describes the steps the agency has taken, or will take, to provide all children and youth under age 21 with the opportunity to meet challenging state academic content standards and student academic achievement standards in order to improve the likelihood that they will complete secondary school, attain a secondary diploma or its recognized equivalent, or find employment after leaving the institution;
  1. describes the instructional program, pupil services and procedures that will be used to meet the needs including, to the extent feasible, the provision of mentors for youth;
  1. specifically describes how the subpart funds will be used (Note: these funds may be used in combination with other funds used to implement the comprehensive plan for all children and youth being served);
  1. describes the measures and procedures that will be used to assess student progress; and
  1. describes how the agency has planned, and will implement and evaluate, the institution-wide or program-wide project in consultation with personnel providing direct instructional services and support services in institutions or community-day programs for neglected or delinquent children and youth and with personnel from the state educational agency (SEA).

(Note: The required assurance related to institution-wide projects is included

in the assurance section of the application package.)

Transition Services (Section 1418)

Each state agency shall reserve not less than 15 percent and not more than 30 percent of the total amount of Title I funds received to support the following(please check all that apply):

projects that facilitate the transition of children and youth from state-operated institutions to schools served by local school districts; or

the successful reentry of youth offenders, who are age 20or younger and have received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalentinto postsecondary education or vocational and technical training programs, through strategies designed to expose and prepare the youth for postsecondary education or vocational and technical training programs (including preplacement programs, worksite schools, support services, placement services, counseling services and job placement services).

Transition services projects may be conducted directly by the state agency or through a contract or other arrangement with one or more school districts, other public agencies or private nonprofit organizations. If your agency has entered into a contract or other arrangement, please attach the contract to your application.

Amount of funds to be used for transition services $______

Percent of funds to be used for transition services ______%

Provide a description of your proposed transition services below and a detailed use of funds on the budget justification (page 13).

Program Evaluation (Section 1431)

  1. Describe how the school district will carry out the evaluation meeting the following requirements:
  1. Scope of Evaluation: Each local school district must evaluate the program, disaggregating data on participation by gender, race, ethnicity and age, not less than once every three years, to determine the program’s impact on the ability of the students to:
  • maintain and improve educational achievement;
  • accrue school credits that meet state requirements for grade promotion and secondary school graduation;
  • make the transition to a regular program or other educational program operated by a local school district;
  • complete secondary school (or secondary school equivalency requirements) and obtain employment after leaving the correctional facility or institution for neglected or delinquent children and youth; and
  • as appropriate, to participate in postsecondary education and job training programs.
  1. Evaluation Measures: In conducting each evaluation, the local school district must use multiple and appropriate measures of student progress.
  1. Describe how the most recent evaluation results are used for program planning and improvement.
  1. List the pre/post assessment(s) in reading, math and other subjects that are used.

Maintenance of Fiscal Effort (Section 9521)

Fiscal effort for the two most recent years available at the time of the application must be compared. No more than a 10 percent decrease in per pupil expenditure is permitted from one year to the next for continued participation in Title I without reduction in entitlement.

Per pupil expenditures from non-federal funds for:

Fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, were $ ______

Fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, were $ ______

Include only expenditures for instructional staff salaries, salaries for educational administrators, salaries for school support staff (including pupil services personnel and school clerical staff), instructional supplies and materials.