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Federal education law says that all public schools have to meet some basic standards. Minnesota sets goals for schools to meet each year, called Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). You can learn more about school performance and AYP at the following Web sites:

Some schools offer a special program called Title I, which provides extra help for students who are behind academically or at risk of falling behind. These are called “Title I schools.” You can find out if a school has Title I by asking the principal, or by looking on the school report card, at the link above.

When a Title I school does not meet AYP goals, or when a school district as a whole does not meet AYP goals, parents must be notified. These schools and districts are called “needing improvement.” Schools are required to send a letter or email, post information on their Web site, and use other formats like newspapers or radio to notify parents.

Sometimes, there are special services, called Supplemental Educational Services (SES, or free tutoring) and transportation for school choice, which parents can access for their child when a school or district is “needing improvement” and that information can also be in the AYP letter. All schools and districts “needing improvement” need parents to be involved in making the school better, and the letter will give ideas of things parents can do.

Schools and districts “needing improvement” may use these resources to help notify parents:

Sample Parent Letters – English

Sample Parent Letters – Spanish

Sample Parent Letters – Hmong

Sample Parent Letters – Somali
 
This publication was produced in whole or in part with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Parental Information and Resource Center program, under Grant #84.310A. The content herein does not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Education, any other agency of the U.S. government, or any other source.
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