Request to Amend Accountability Plan – Ohio – NCLB Policy Letters to States

March 22, 2011

The Honorable Deborah S. Delisle
Superintendent
Ohio Department of Education
25 South Front Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Superintendent Delisle:

I am writing in response to Ohio’s request to amend its state accountability plan under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), amended. Following discussions between the Department and your staff, you made a change to Ohio’s accountability plan, which is now included in the amended plan that Ohio submitted to the Department on December 6, 2010. I am pleased to approve Ohio’s amended plan, which we will post on the Department’s website. A summary of Ohio’s amendment is enclosed with this letter. As you know, any further requests to amend Ohio’s accountability plan must be submitted to the Department for review and approval as required by section 1111(f)(2) of Title I of the ESEA.

Please also be aware that approval of Ohio’s accountability plan for Title I, including the amendment approved herein, does not indicate that the plan complies with Federal civil rights requirements, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

I am confident that Ohio will continue to advance its efforts to hold schools and school districts accountable for the achievement of all students. If you need any additional assistance to implement the standards, assessment, and accountability provisions of the ESEA, please do not hesitate to contact (Vicki.Robinson@ed.gov).

Sincerely,

Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana, Ph.D.

Enclosure

cc: Governor Ted Strickland
Stephen Barr
Matthew Cohen
Jeanine Molock


Amendments to Ohio’s Accountability Plan

The following is a summary of Ohio’s amendment request. Please refer to the Department’s website (http://www.ed.govhttps://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/stateplans03/index.html) for Ohio’s complete accountability plan.

Acceptable amendments

The following amendments are aligned with the statute and regulations:

Exit criteria for limited English proficient (LEP) students in adequate yearly progress (AYP) determinations (Elements 5.4)

Revision: Ohio updated its accountability workbook to include its exit criteria for LEP students. Ohio will use the following criteria to determine when a student no longer meets the federal definition of limited English proficient and should exit the LEP program:

The Student:

  • Obtains a composite score of five on the OTELA (Ohio Test of English Language Acquisition); or
  • Obtains a composite score of four on the OTELA, subsequently completes a trial period of mainstream instruction, and obtains a composite score of four or above on the OTELA during the trial period of mainstream instruction.

Special Condition

  • Students will not be exited from the LEP program before grade three.
  • Students who obtain a composite score of four or five on the OTELA in grade two and obtain a composite score of four or above on the OTELA during the completion of a trial period of mainstream instruction in grade three shall be exited from the program.
  • Transition Year – LEP students who obtain a composite score of four or five on the OTELA in 2008-2009 will be exited from the program if they obtain a composite score of four or five on the OTELA in 2009-2010.

State Accountability Plans