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In response to the continuing COVID-19 crisis in our state, Governor Brown and the Oregon Department of Education announced statewide school closures for the remainder of the year. We want to acknowledge that this news is not easy for any of us -- for educators, students, parents and families. And while the decision was not made lightly, we believe it is in the best interest of our children, staff and broader community.
Please take time to review the Graduation Pathways Guidance - A Resource in Support of our 2020 Seniors.
We heard questions about the April 15, 2020 deadline for the SIA Grant Application. In response, we took several steps to better understand where applicants are and what supports are needed across the state in order for applicants to submit a complete or partial application. Based on our contact with superintendents, business managers and ESD liaisons, we learned the following:
- We can expect 74% of applications (155 of 210) to be complete when submitted. Complete does not mean they've been reviewed and meet requirements but means applicants think they've submitted everything needed.
- For applicants submitting partially complete applications, we anticipate most will only be missing the final round of board engagement and approval.
- There is a need being consistently expressed for additional guidance from ODE on how SIA applicants should approach or modify any plans or budgets based on the uncertain financial situation we now find ourselves in.
Our SIA Support Team and the ESD Liaisons we continue to collaborate with are focused on:
- Maintaining and building community trust and centering the approaches to engagement and equity that are at the center of the Student Investment Account’s purpose.
- Meeting each SIA application and applicant where they are in helping discuss and get the support needed to meet application requirements.
- Continuing with our review process.
- Collaborating with SIA applicants on longitudinal performance growth targets.
- Seeing this process move ahead while keeping our eyes on the horizon despite the changes in weather.
We know business managers and superintendents are actively asking and engaging with difficult questions about projected revenues and potential budget changes in the State School Fund (SSF) and the Student Success Fund that receives the Corporate Activity Tax and funds the SIA.
This week, Governor Brown made a statement about fiscal responsibility and the potential “pausing” of SSA plans as it pertains to hiring. She was speaking to school districts about being fiscally responsible as underlying state and local budget realities continue to evolve with the impact of COVID-19 on our economy. It was not a statement about a specific grant program or suggesting that implementation of any SSA grant programs be stopped.
Our commitment to improve access and opportunities for students who have been historically underserved in the education system is unwavering. It is our intent to be as realistic and supportive as possible while walking two paths, recognizing there are several variables at play including time, federal government economic relief, and legislation.
The first path is to continue to support the Student Success Act work as if the Corporate Activity Tax and SIA allocations will remain unchanged and unimpacted. That’s why the upcoming deadline for SIA Grant Applications remains Wednesday, April 15, 2020 and other key deadlines remain unchanged. We are looking forward to working with applicants and building plans that will meet our students’ needs.
The second path is navigating real financial uncertainties, making prudent adjustments and using tiered planning options. All paths lead to the same goal of helping our students succeed.
Q: What makes up the common and customized monitoring and evaluation framework?
A: In short, each SIA grant recipient will work with ODE to establish a grant agreement that includes a common and customized monitoring and evaluation framework. This framework, at minimum includes:
- Longitudinal Performance Growth Targets for each of the five common metrics (third grade reading, attendance, 9th grade on track, 4-year graduation and 5-year completion).
- Progress Markers set by ODE.
It is optional for grant recipients to include additional growth targets beyond the five common metrics. Recipients may also propose and include additional progress markers, with the understanding that all metrics will be used for monitoring and evaluation. All grant recipients will have an opportunity to re-examine their framework in the winter / spring of 2021 should they wish to make adjustments before setting the framework for the upcoming years through 2025.
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