ADE Director's Communication Memo Form


Memo Number : FIN-10-022

Date Created : 09/15/2009

Attention:

Superintendents
Co-op Directors
other: Business Managers

Type of Memo: Regulatory
Response Required: Yes
   
Section:   Fiscal and Administrative Services - William J. Goff, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
2009-10 Title I, ESEA Comparability Report

Regulatory Authority:
Elementary and Secondary Education of 1965

Contact Person:
Kim Bajorek

Phone Number:
501-683-6530

E-mail:
ADE.FedGrantMgmt@arkansas.gov

Section 1120A(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act states that local educational agencies (LEAs) may receive Title I funds only if state and local funds will be used in schools served under Title I Part A to provide services that, taken as a whole, are at least comparable to services in schools that are not receiving funds under Title I Part A. If all the LEA's schools receive Title I services, the LEA may receive Title I funds only if state and local funds are used to provide services, that taken as a whole, are substantially comparable in each school.

To prove comparability, a district needs to examine the state and locally paid instructional staff in all schools being compared. The calculation of comparability is determined by examining the total FTE of instructional staff in all schools being compared. Instructional staff includes teachers and other personnel assigned to provide direct instructional services such as music, art, and physical education teachers, guidance counselors, speech therapists, and librarians, as well as other personnel providing services that support instruction, such as school social workers and psychologists. Paraprofessionals and principals are not included as instructional staff when calculating FTEs. When demonstrating compliance for comparability, a district may exclude staff paid with state and local funds -- in supplemental programs that meet the intent and purposes of Title I, in language instruction education programs, and the excess costs in programs providing assistance to students with disabilities as determined by the LEA. Districts must keep the data used to make the Title I Comparability Report calculations in the district audit file.

REMEMBER, ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH MORE THAN ONE SCHOOL PER GRADE LEVEL ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE TITLE I COMPARABILITY REPORT.

The purpose of the comparability requirement is to ensure that Title I schools receive the same level of services from State and local funds as other schools; therefore, determinations must be made as early as possible in the school year. The deadline for submission is November 1, 2009. Data used to complete the original Comparability Report is October 1, 2009. District officials should complete preliminary reports prior to October 1 to ensure any required staff adjustments are made as early as possible in the school year.

The attached Comparability Report is in Excel format and should be opened and then copied to a district computer. Use the tabs at the bottom of the page to move between the different pages of the report. When completed, print the report and have the person responsible for completing the report sign it. Submit the completed and signed report to:

Arkansas Department of Education
Federal Grants Management
Four Capitol Mall, Room 110-B
Little Rock, AR 72201-1071

For assistance, contact Kim Bajorek at 501-683-6530 or Annette Pearson at 501-683-1243

Attachments:

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