Information and Resources
Description of SES Services
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 started with a lofty goal: Every student was to pass every state test in reading and math by the year 2014, no matter what their school passing rate was in 2001. To make sure they were on track to meet that goal, schools reported annually whether or not they had made adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward meeting the 100 % pass rate on time.
We’ve come a long way since 2001. The number of students passing their state tests has increased significantly.
But as our nation moved closer to 2014, it became apparent that a 100 % pass rate was unrealistic. Although scores were improving, more and more schools were not meeting AYP because the percentage of students needing to pass the tests increased each year. Many people considered reporting AYP meaningless, because so few schools could meet it.
Most states, including Washington, applied for waivers from AYP. Our state was granted a waiver during school years 2012-13 and 2013-14. During those years, Washington was given the flexibility outside the AYP system to identify schools that needed the most help and target funding to schools with the highest need.
State test scores and graduation rates continued to rise.
Despite our continued success, the U.S. Department of Education did not renew our waiver for the 2014-15 school year. They denied the waiver because the Washington State Legislature did not pass a bill to require teacher/principal evaluations to include student growth on state tests, when appropriate. The use of student test scores as part of the teacher evaluation system is a federal requirement to keep an AYP waiver.
As a result schools that did not meet AYP for two consecutive years or more in the same content area, reading or math or graduation rate for high school, are considered to be Schools In Improvement. Each step of Improvement under NCLB has specific sanctions for schools receiving Title 1 Funds.
- Step 1 – Schools must offer Public School Choice where families can request choice to a school that is not in improvement.
- Reviewing data from 2007-08 school year, Deer Park School District has been eligible for Public School Choice for three years. The only previous year that we offered Public School Choice was in the 2011-12 school year, where Arcadia Elementary School had 282 eligible students. No students opted for Public School Choice, because upon consultation with neighboring school districts did not allow for choice. In 2014-15 a Public School Choice letter was delivered to 275 eligible students. In 2015-16 an eligibility letter was delivered to 179 eligible students.
- Step 2 – Schools must offer families the option of Supplemental Education Services (SES which is free tutoring with outside vendors) or Public School Choice
- Step 3 – Same as Step 2 but the schools must also take Corrective Action
- Step 4 – Same as Step 2 but schools must also plan for Alternative Governance
- Step 5 – Same as Step 2 but schools must also Implement a Plan for Alternative Governance
Arcadia Elementary School is in Step 3 – Public School Choice is not an option because neighboring schools are also in improvement. Information sent to families at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year can be accessed using the following links:
- Director of Special Services: Greg Swartz
- N. 428 Main St
- 509.464.5572 (fax)
The Basics of SES
As of the 2015 – 16 School Year and the loss of the No Child Left Behind Waiver, any school in Step 2 or higher of “School Improvement” must offer Supplemental Education Services (SES). Arcadia Elementary School is in Step 3 of “School Improvement.”
- What is SES? Free tutoring provided by outside agencies (not Deer Park School District)
- Who is eligible? Families attending Arcadia Elementary School who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch are eligible
- When do I enroll? Applications for SES will go out on October 12th and the first enrollment window will be open from October 12-26th. Families can choose from approved providers listed on the application . A second enrollment window will be open from January 11th through January 25th.
Find the application for SES here: SES -Deer Park School District
List of SES Providers. Once the file opens double click on a provider description for detailed information – SES Providers
Notice of Prior SES Participation in Deer Park School District
Reviewing data from 2007-2008 school year to current, Deer Park School District has been eligible for Supplemental Educational Services (SES) for three years. The previous school years that we have participated in SES is the 2011-12 school year, where Arcadia Elementary School had 282 eligible students for SES and 28 students participated throughout the school year. The 2014-15 school year had 275 eligible students for SES and 20 students participated throughout the school year.
Questions about SES can be answered by calling Greg Swartz at 464-5526.
The Deer Park School District No. 414, an Equal Opportunity Employer, complies with all state and federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate with respect to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This holds true for all district employment and opportunities.
Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX and Affirmative Action Officer, and Section 504/ADA Coordinator:
Travis Hanson (e-mail) P.O. Box 490 Deer Park, WA 99006 (509) 464.5500