Indiana’s Application for the Educational Flexibility Program (Ed-Flex) Cohort 2

Created by importing pdf file for Graham Collins by Nhan Nguyen on 06/12/2020

Ed-Flex is a program through the U.S. Department of Education that allows state education agencies (SEAs) the authority to waive statutory or regulatory education requirements that may impede local efforts to reform and improve educational achievement.

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) currently has four waivers available to all Indiana local education agencies (LEAs).

Waiver 1: Increased Title I carryover allowability from 15% to 25%

Waiver 2: Increased flexibility in paraprofessional requirements

Waiver 3: Applicable only to the Indiana Department of Corrections

Waiver 4: Increased flexibility in Title IV spending requirements for LEAs that receive more than $30,000

An Annual Performance Report (APR) will be required for each waiver that is approved. Failure to submit an APR may result in future ed-flex waiver applications not being approved.

More information about the Ed-Flex Waiver may be found here.

*Please note that a separate application must be submitted for each waiver request.

Corporation Number

Corporation Name

Superintendent Name

First NameLast Name

Superintendent Email

example@example.com

Ed-Flex Contact Name

First NameLast Name

Ed-Flex Contact Email

example@example.com

Please select the waiver requested:

Select each Federal program affected by this waiver request:

Request for Implementation in School Year:

Is this a request to renew a previously approved ed-flex waiver?

Please describe the benefits from receiving the waiver previously. Are there extenuating circumstances that have led to the need to renew the use of this waiver?

Please indicate how the LEA publicized the request for the waiver and solicited public comments (select all that apply).

Please upload a copy of the public notice or printed materials. Examples of acceptable documentation may include copies of newspaper notices, school newsletters, school board meeting minutes, screenshot of electronic notices, etc.

Please describe how parents, educators, and all other interested community stakeholders had the opportunity to comment on the waiver. This response should also include how the comments are to be received, and how the comments may be reviewed by other members of the public.

Please provide any comments received as a result of the public notice, if applicable. Please also explain how these comments and suggestions were considered as a part of the waiver request.

Please describe the overall expected results of waiving the requirement above. This response should include how the requested waiver will improve student achievement in schools affected by the wavier(s) or decrease barriers to education reform.

Please describe the specific and measurable educationally related goal(s) that will be achieved through the application of this waiver? Please include current data measures and anticipated data measures. This may include both district-wide and/or individual school level goals as applicable (e.g., XX.X% of students in grades 3-8 were at or above proficiency within ELA on 2024 ILEARN assessment. Our goal is to improve to XX.X% students at or above proficiency within ELA on 2025 ILEARN assessment through improved literacy intervention efforts.).

Please describe how progress toward the goal(s) will be evaluated. This response should provide specific criteria aligning to the LEA's overall goals. Please also include the evaluation timeline and the person(s) that will be responsible for evaluating progress toward goal(s).

Waiver #1:

Please select the fiscal year from which you are requesting to carry over funds (e.g., FY2022 unused funds to apply to FY2023).
FY 20 00* to 2000*

Please describe how the carry over funds will be used to support direct services for students. This should include specific activities that will be funded using carry over funds.

How will this flexibility allow the LEA to implement more direct services to students?

Please describe how this flexibility will directly tie to increased levels of achievement and performance.

Please describe any extenuating circumstances that have led to the need for this flexibility (e.g., staff shortages, administration changes, etc.).

Waiver #2:

More information on and options for paraprofessional requirements may be found here.

Please describe the requested paraprofessional requirements

Please indicate the criteria that will be used to determine that a paraprofessional is highly-qualified (select all that apply):

Other

If "other" is selected, please add specific details regarding the criteria that will be used to determine highly-qualified status.

Please describe the additional training and support were these staff members offered to ensure their effectiveness on student achievement?

Waiver #3:

The IDOC (state agency for delinquent) has local funds that cover the basic educational program for these students
Title I-D funds are most effectively used in supporting the transition of students in the juvenile facilities back to their LEAs when they have fulfilled court requirements
The previous 30% maximum limits the ability for the State agency (IDOC) to collaborate at a high-level with LEAs for re-entry of students

Please describe why IDOC would like to use more than the allowable 30% of Title I-D Subpart 1 funds on transition

Waiver #4:

LEAs should use a data-driven needs assessment to dictate how Title IV-A funds are used rather than a specific percentage
LEAs may already be implementing a well-rounded education program with state/local funds and would benefit from using all Title IV-A funding for social-emotional needs or technology integration needs
IDOE will maintain the 15% equipment and device limitation with Title IV-A funds

Please describe how you will use a data-driven needs assessment to dictate your use of Title IV-A funds

Indiana’s Application for the Educational Flexibility Program (Ed-Flex) Cohort 2

Public Comment

Goals and Evaluation of Waiver Use