| INFORMATION ONLY |
November 15, 1999
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT ADDESSED:
SUBJECT: Ed-Flex Waiver Evaluation
Texas school districts implementing Education Flexibility Demonstration Partnership Program (Ed-Flex) waivers effective for the 1998-1999 school year were able to develop innovative educational programs designed to meet the local needs of students. As of August 31, 1999 the commissioner of education had approved one or more programmatic waivers for over 500 districts. Ed-Flex programmatic waivers are designed to provide districts with greater flexibility in exchange for increased accountability for results.
Analysis of 1998-1999 student performance by the Texas Education Agency indicates that the district met the desired performance gains required by the approval letter for its Ed-Flex programmatic waiver(s). Based on this success, the district is exempted from the requirement to complete the Ed-Flex evaluation. Instead, the agency requests, on a voluntary basis, that the district provide a brief summary of how these results were accomplished. Please include any unique instructional arrangement, planning or other features. This information will be shared with other school districts and the United States Department of Education. All summaries of success are due back to the agency no later than January 14, 2000, in order that this information may be included in the agency's annual report to the United States Department of Education. Please send this information to:
State/Federal Waivers and Initiatives Unit
Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701-1494
Fax Number (512) 475-3666
Districts are not required to take any further action at this time regarding the statewide administrative waivers. Data available to the state will be used to evaluate the administrative statewide waivers.
Enclosed with this mailing is the time line for evaluation of Ed-Flex programmatic waivers effective for the 1999-2000 school year. Advance notice of the evaluation schedule is provided to assist with campus and district planning.
Best wishes for your continued success and contributions to making the Texas Ed-Flex program one of the nations most outstanding educational initiatives. If you should have any questions regarding this information, please contact the State/Federal Waivers and Initiatives Unit at (512) 463-9077.
Sincerely,
Carol V. Francois
Associate Commissioner for the Education of Special Populations
For further information on this topic, contact State/Federal Waivers and Initiatives Unit at (512) 463-9077.