Local Educational Agency Plan (LEAP)

Description

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 mandates local educational agencies (LEAs) to develop an LEA Plan as a requirement for receiving federal funding for NCLB. NCLB embodies four principles that serve as the centerpiece for the LEA Plan. They include (1) stronger accountability for results; (2) greater flexibility and local control in the use of federal funds; (3) enhanced choice for parents of children from disadvantaged backgrounds; and (4) more emphasis on effective teaching methods. As part of the accountability system to meet the goals of NCLB, the California State board of Education (SBE) has adopted five performance goals and 12 performance indicators. The five goals are (1) All students will reach high standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading and mathematics, by 2013-2014; (2) All limited-English-proficient students will become proficient in English and reach high academic standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics; (3) By 2005-2006, all students will be taught by highly qualified teachers; (4) All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug-free, and conducive to learning; (5) All students will graduate from high school. The framework for CDE’s improvement efforts will focus on NCLB’s goals, performance indicators, and targets. It will be the basis for policy decisions, accountability implementation efforts, and for coordination with the State Legislature and the Governor’s Office.

LEAs must develop a single, coordinated, and comprehensive Plan that describes the educational services for all students that can be used to guide implementation of federal and state-funded programs, the allocation of resources, and reporting requirements. The development of such a plan involves a continuous cycle of assessment, parent and community involvement, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The duration of the Plan is five years (July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2008) and is updated annually. Updates are kept on file at the district.

The approval of a Local Educational Agency Plan is a requirement for receiving federal funding subgrants for NCLB programs. The LEA Plan includes specific descriptions and assurances as outlined in the provisions included in NCLB. In essence, LEA Plans describe the actions that LEA’s will take to ensure that they meet certain programmatic requirements, including coordination of services, needs assessments, consultations, school choice, supplemental services, services to homeless students, and others as required. In addition, LEA Plans summarize assessment data, school goals and activities from the Single Plans for Student Achievement developed by the LEA’s schools.

Services Available Through SCOE

School Districts can contact SCOE staff to assist with the annual update of the district's LEA Plan. Additionally, SCOE provides assistance on integrating the LEA plan and the Single Plan for Student Achievement. Access to additional information: http://www.cde.ca.gov/nclb/sr/le/

Contact

For more information please call or email Martie Hagarty at 530-842-8415.