Lost amid the din of Senate ESEA reauthorization hearings this week was the introduction of an important piece of legislation. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced the Early Learning Proficiency Act on Monday.
Though the draft legislation is only a few pages long, it addresses a very large issue. The bill seeks to clarify that funds for Title I grants, programs for English language learners, and professional development for teachers all extend to prekindergarten.
Current law allows Title I funds to be used for children before they reach kindergarten. But there has been confusion among school district leaders and principals about how these funds can be used by eligible schools to support early childhood programs for children birth to 5. It is evident that clear and direct language on the use of Title I for early learning is needed.
The issue is not resolved by the bill that passed last night, 15-7, in the Senate’s Health Labor Education and Pensions Committee, although that bill does include several references to early education. Senator Boxer’s proposal, and others that we have written about and may see offered as amendments in the coming weeks, are designed to help in improving coordination from pre-kindergarten to the early elementary grades, a critical (and too often missing) link in supporting young children. We will be watching for indications that the legislation will make an appearance as an amendment on the Senate floor, where the ESEA proposal is expected to be discussed on November 8.
One of the big justifications for closing A.A. Dixon Charter School is that it had nearly $100,000 operating deficit in its first school year, 2010-2011. The IN has learned that the School District failed to give A.A. Dixon $70,000 in Title I funds to which the school was entitled because of the high enrollment of economically disadvantage student. In talking to those close to the school, it still hasn’t been paid though funds.
We are also hearing that several parents are considering a lawsuit against the Superintendent Thomas and the School District for violating the federal laws on Title I funds. Their children – through the school – were entitled last year to those funds to supplement their education and better prepare them for the FCAT.
By closing the school, the School District will not have to hand over the 2010-2011 Title 1 funds, keep the 2011-2012 and keep a $100,000 Improvement 2 grant. The School District will make about $240,000 if the school board votes to close A.A. Dixon tomorrow.
There is an added bonus, if the School Board, simply votes to put the school on a 90-day probation…and then closes it. The students’ FCAT scores won’t apply to the students’ new schools.
It appears the School District has found a way to profit and not get hit with possibly low FCAT scores during the upcoming election year.
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