Guide addresses partnership districts to meet student and family needs in low performing schools.

(1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated $6,000,000.00 for 2019-2020 for assisting districts assigned by the superintendent to participate in a partnership to improve student achievement. The purpose of the partnership is to identify district needs, develop intervention plans, and partner with public, private, and nonprofit organizations to coordinate resources and improve student achievement. Assignment of a district to a partnership is at the sole discretion of the superintendent. (2) A district assigned to a partnership by the superintendent is eligible for funding under this section if the district includes at least 1 school that has been rated with a grade of “F”, or comparable performance rating, in the most recent state accountability system rating and that does all of the following: (a) Completes a comprehensive needs evaluation in collaboration with an intermediate school district, community members, education organizations, and postsecondary institutions, as applicable and approved by the superintendent, within 90 days of assignment to the partnership described in this section. The comprehensive needs evaluation must include at least all of the following: (i) A review of the district’s implementation and utilization of a multi-tiered system of supports to ensure that it is used to appropriately inform instruction. (ii) A review of the district and school building leadership and educator capacity to substantially improve student outcomes. (iii) A review of classroom, instructional, and operational practices and curriculum to ensure alignment with research-based instructional practices and state curriculum Standard. (b) Develops an intervention plan that has been approved by the superintendent and that addresses the needs identified in the comprehensive needs evaluation completed under subdivision (a). The intervention plan must include at least all of the following: (i) Specific actions that will be taken by the district and each of its partners to improve student achievement. (ii) Specific measurable benchmarks that will be met within 18 months to improve student achievement and identification of expected student achievement outcomes to be attained within 3 years after assignment to the partnership. (c) Crafts academic goals that put pupils on track to meet or exceed grade level proficiency. (3) Upon approval of the intervention plan developed under subsection (2), the department shall assign a team of individuals with expertise in comprehensive school and district reform to partner with the district, the intermediate district, community organizations, education organizations, and postsecondary institutions identified in the intervention plan to review the district’s use of existing financial resources to ensure that those resources are being used as efficiently and effectively as possible to improve student academic achievement. The superintendent of public instruction may waive burdensome administrative rules for a partnership district for the duration of the partnership agreement. (4) Funds allocated under this section may be used to pay for district expenditures approved by the superintendent to improve student achievement. Funds may be used for professional development for teachers or district or school leadership, increased instructional time, teacher mentors, or other expenditures that directly impact student achievement and cannot be paid from existing district financial resources. An eligible district shall not receive funds under this section for more than 3 years. Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments to eligible districts under this section on a schedule determined by the department. (5) The department shall annually report in person to the legislature on the activities funded under this section and how those activities impacted student achievement in eligible districts that received funds under this section. To the extent possible, participating districts receiving funding under this section shall participate in the report.

Site provides information and resources on partnership districts, including district-specific agreements.

Board policy addresses developing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local mental health providers to improve access to services for students and their families.