The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires that the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) establish a system to monitor the operation of Federal programs in every participating Local Education Agency (LEA), including charter schools. In addition, Arkansas Act 807 of 2007 mandates that the monitoring process be expanded to include a periodic monitoring review of each LEA’s and school’s implementation of programs supported by State Categorical funds. Any LEA or charter school designated as high priority may be monitored at the discretion of the ADE’s Commissioner.
Monitoring reviews for the 2009-2010 school year will occur between
November 2009 and April 2010. A list of LEAs scheduled for an Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (ACSIP)monitoring review this school year is attached. This list includes both on-site and desk audit reviews. Prior to the monitoring process, the Monitoring Team Chairperson will contact the Superintendent of each LEA scheduled for a monitoring review to outline procedures and to confirm date and time. Following contact, a follow-up confirmation letter, including the ACSIP Monitoring Protocol and ACSIP On-site Monitoring Guide or Desk Audit, will be sent to the Superintendent providing details on the schools to be monitored, dates and schedule.
Using the appropriate monitoring guide (on-site or desk review), the
LEA and school(s) should prepare documentation for each of the
components prior to the review. Documentation for review should be
organized by section and item number. For a few items, ADE will also
examine data already on file in order to make a determination of
compliance. However, the items will be identified in advance. To
facilitate the on-site review, administrative personnel or other LEA
personnel familiar with the programs to be monitored and the process
must be available for questioning during the on-site review. LEAs
scheduled for an ACSIP Desk Audit Review must submit all required
items no later than Monday, November 2, 2009, (postmark date). The LEA may solicit technical assistance from the ACSIP supervisor regarding appropriate documentation for monitoring prior to the review.