**U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION**

**OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202**

**APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION**

**IN THE**

**STATE FLEXIBILITY**

**DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM**

**(State-Flex)**

# FORM APPROVED

# OMB No. 1810-0660, EXP. DATE 2/28/2006

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**[TABLE OF CONTENTS]{.smallcaps}**

**Section A.** Dear Colleague Letter

-   Letter from the Assistant Secretary for

> Elementary and Secondary Education

**Section B.** How to Use This Application Package

**Section C.** Federal Register Notices, Program Statute and Equitable
Participation Guidance

-   Application Notice

-   Program Statute

-   General Equitable Participation Guidance

**Section D.** Preparing an Application

-   Introduction to the State Flexibility Demonstration Program

-   Application Requirements

-   Selection Criteria

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-   Guidelines for Preparing Your State-Flex Proposal

-   SEA Application Cover Page

-   SEA Consolidated Funds Form

-   SEA Application Assurances

-   Local Performance Agreement Cover Page

-   LEA Consolidated Funds Form

**Section E.** Transmittal Instructions and Checklist

-   Application Transmittal Instructions

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-   Application Checklist

**Section F.** Procedures for Selecting State-Flex Participants

**Section G.** Estimated Public Reporting Burden

**SECTION**

A

**DEAR COLLEAGUE**

####### LETTER 

> **UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION**

![](media/image2.png){width="0.9173611111111111in"
height="0.8993055555555556in"}OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Dear Colleague:

Thank you for your interest in the State Flexibility Demonstration
program (State-Flex), authorized under the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act
of 2001. This groundbreaking program will provide participating State
educational agencies (SEAs), and the local educational agencies (LEAs)
with which they enter into performance agreements, with unprecedented
flexibility to use Federal funds to meet State and local needs.

State-Flex authority involves three major components --

-   *SEA Consolidation of certain State-level Federal funds --*
    State-Flex provides an SEA with the flexibility to consolidate
    certain Federal funds reserved for State administration and
    State-level activities and to use those funds for any ESEA purpose
    in order to meet the State's definition of adequate yearly progress
    and narrow achievement gaps.

-   *Local performance agreements --* An SEA that is granted State-Flex
    authority enters into performance agreements with four to ten LEAs
    in the State, permitting those LEAs to consolidate certain Federal
    formula grant funds and to use those funds for any ESEA purpose
    consistent with the SEA's State-Flex plan.

-   *State Input on Local Use of Title V, Part A funds --*An SEA with
    State-Flex authority may specify how all of its LEAs will use the
    funds that they receive under Part A of Title V of the ESEA
    (Innovative Program funds). The SEA must comply, however, with the
    normal requirements in Title V for allocating those funds.

The enclosed application package contains the information that you will
need to prepare and submit a State-Flex proposal. There is no specific
deadline for submitting applications under this program. Applications
will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, until the
Secretary grants State-Flex authority to seven SEAs, the maximum number
authorized under the legislation.

For further information on this program, please visit our website at
http://www.ed.gov/programs/stateflex/index.html, or send an e-mail to
Ms. Jill Staton of my staff at StateFlex@ed.gov.

We look forward to receiving your application, and appreciate your
efforts to improve student achievement in your State.

> Sincerely,
>
> /s/
>
> Raymond Simon

Enclosures

**SECTION**

B

HOW TO USE THIS APPLICATION PACKAGE

HOW TO USE THIS APPLICATION PACKAGE

This application package contains documents, information, and tools to
assist you in preparing and submitting your State-Flex application.

**In preparing your application, you should use Sections C and D
together.**

**Section C** contains the following documents that you should review
before preparing your State-Flex application:

-   The [Notice Inviting Application]{.underline}s announces that the
    Department is seeking applications under this program.

-   The [Program Statute]{.underline} (Title VI, Part A, subpart 3 of
    the reauthorized ESEA), which has been reprinted here for your
    convenience.

-   The [General Equitable Participation Guidance]{.underline}, which
    contains information concerning the provision of equitable services
    to private school students and staff.

In **Section D**, you will find the following:

-   An [Introduction to the State-Flex Program]{.underline}, which
    explains the purposes of and major components of the program.

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-   The [Application Requirements]{.underline} you must follow in
    completing your application.

-   The [Selection Criteria]{.underline} that will be used by reviewers
    to judge your application. Your State-Flex application should
    address the selection criteria as well as the application
    requirements.

-   [Guidelines for preparing your State-Flex proposal,]{.underline}
    which provides some general advice for preparing your application.

-   The [State-Flex Application Cover Page]{.underline}, the [SEA
    Consolidated Funds Form,]{.underline} and the [State-Flex
    Assurances]{.underline} form that must be filled out, signed by the
    authorized official, and submitted as part of your application.

-   The [Local Performance Agreement Cover Page]{.underline}, the [LEA
    Consolidated Funds Form,]{.underline} and the [Local Performance
    Agreement Assurances]{.underline} form that must be filled out by
    each LEA with which your State proposes to enter into a local
    performance agreement, signed by the authorized official for that
    LEA, and submitted as part of their proposed agreement.

**Section E** contains [Application Transmittal
Instructions]{.underline} for submitting your State-Flex application, as
well as an [Application Checklist]{.underline} to help you ensure you
submit a complete application.

**Section F** contains an explanation of the procedures the Department
will use for selecting the applicants that will enter into an agreement
with the Secretary ([Procedures for Selecting State-Flex
Agreements]{.underline}).

**Section G** discusses the [Estimated Public Reporting
Burden]{.underline} for this application.

**SECTION**

C

**FEDERAL REGISTER**

**NOTICE,**

**PROGRAM STATUTE,**

**AND**

**EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION GUIDANCE**

# 

4000-01-U

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Flexibility Demonstration Program and Local Flexibility
Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of
Education

ACTION: Notice Inviting Applications

PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAMS: To give selected State educational agencies
(SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) greater flexibility in the
use of Federal funds to (1) improve and be accountable for the academic
achievement of all students, especially disadvantaged students; (2)
improve teacher quality and subject-matter mastery, especially in
mathematics, reading, and science; (3) better empower parents,
educators, administrators, and schools to address effectively the needs
of their children and students; and (4) narrow achievement gaps between
the lowest- and highest- achieving groups of students so that no child
is left behind.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: SEAs (for the State Flexibility Demonstration
program (State-Flex)) and LEAs (for the Local Flexibility Demonstration
program (Local-Flex)), subject to the following conditions:

(1) If an LEA has entered into a Local-Flex agreement with the
    Secretary, its SEA may subsequently seek State-Flex authority only
    if the LEA's Local-Flex agreement is incorporated as one of the
    proposed performance agreements in the SEA's State-Flex proposal. At
    this time, the Seattle School District is the only LEA that has
    entered into a Local-Flex agreement.

(2) If an SEA has received State-Flex authority from the Secretary, its
    LEAs may not apply to the Department for Local-Flex. Rather, in
    these States, four to ten LEAs (at least half of which must be
    high-poverty LEAs) enter into a local performance agreements
    directly with their SEA.

\(3\) SEAs in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Outlying Areas (as defined in
Section 9101(30) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965,
as amended (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 7801(30)) are not eligible to apply for
State-Flex because they do not have the minimum number of LEAs required
for State-Flex authority. By statute, the District of Columbia, Hawaii,
Puerto Rico, and the Outlying Areas are also not eligible to apply as
LEAs for Local-Flex.

NUMBER OF STATE-FLEX AND LOCAL-FLEX APPLICATIONS THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY
APPROVE: The Secretary may grant State-Flex authority to up to seven
SEAs. Seven grants of authority remain available.

The Secretary may enter into Local-Flex agreements with up to eighty
LEAs, but no more than three LEAs in a given State.

The Department is conducting the State-Flex and Local-Flex competitions
simultaneously to enable both SEAs and LEAs to take advantage of these
flexibility programs at the earliest possible date. Before applying for
Local-Flex, an LEA should contact its SEA to determine whether the State
will seek State-Flex authority. If the SEA intends to apply for
State-Flex, the SEA and LEA should consider including the proposed local
performance agreement as part of the State-Flex application. Similarly,
an SEA should notify all of its LEAs if it intends to apply for
State-Flex so that it may coordinate with those LEAs that are interested
in seeking additional flexibility.

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: March 18,2004.

DEADLINE FOR TRANSMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS: There is no specific
application deadline. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
as they are received until the maximum number of State-Flex and
Local-Flex proposals authorized by the statute have been approved. We
anticipate that we will complete the review of an application within 60
days of its receipt by the Department.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sections 6141 through 6144 of the ESEA (20
U.S.C. 7315-7315c) allow the Secretary to grant State-Flex authority, on
a competitive basis, to up to seven SEAs. The Secretary will select the
State-Flex States on the basis of the selection criteria in the
State-Flex application package.

Under State-Flex, an SEA receives the authority to consolidate certain
Federal education funds that are provided for State-level activities and
State administration and use those funds for any educational purpose
authorized under the ESEA in order to meet its State's definition of
adequate yearly progress (AYP) and advance the education priorities of
the State and its LEAs. A State-Flex State may also specify how its LEAs
will use funds received under Part A of Title V (State Grants for
Innovative Programs) of the ESEA. In addition, an SEA with State-Flex
authority enters into local performance agreements with four to ten of
its LEAs (at least half of which must be high-poverty LEAs), giving
those LEAs the flexibility to consolidate certain Federal education
funds for any educational purpose permitted under the ESEA in order to
meet the State's definition of AYP and specific, measurable goals for
improving student achievement and narrowing achievement gaps.

Sections 6151 through 6156 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7321-7321e) authorize
the Secretary to enter into Local-Flex agreements with up to eighty
LEAs. These agreements, like the local performance agreements under
State-Flex, give the LEAs the authority to consolidate certain Federal
education funds and to use those funds for any purpose under the ESEA in
order to assist the LEAs in meeting the State's definition of AYP and
specific, measurable goals for improving student achievement and
narrowing achievement gaps. The Secretary will select the remaining
Local-Flex LEAs on the basis of the selection criteria in the Local-Flex
application package.

COMPETITIVE PREFERENCE IN FUTURE GRANT COMPETITIONS: Because State-Flex
and Local-Flex participants have undergone comprehensive planning to
improve teacher quality and the academic achievement of all students,
especially disadvantaged students, and are held to a higher degree of
accountability, the Secretary intends to give them a competitive
preference in future grant competitions for Federal education funding in
which SEAs and LEAs are eligible applicants, to the extent that the
competitive preference would further the intent and purposes of the
respective grant programs. Where appropriate, the Secretary plans to
establish the competitive preferences in the individual program notices
announcing future competitions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jill Staton, US Department of
Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 400 Maryland
Ave., SW, Rm. 3E213, Washington, D.C. 20202-6400. Telephone: (202)
401-0039 or via Internet:

<LocalFlex@ed.gov>

<StateFlex@ed.gov>

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this notice in an alternative
format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on
request to the contact person listed above.

APPLICATIONS: You may obtain a copy of the application package on the
Department's web site at:

<http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister/announce/index.html>

<http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html>

You may also obtain a copy of the application from the contact person
identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Instructions for
submitting applications are included in the application package.

[Electronic Access to this Document]{.underline}: You may view this
document, as well as other Department of Education documents published
in the [Federal Register,]{.underline} in text or Adobe Portable
Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site:

[www.ed.gov/news/fedregister](http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister)

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free
at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll-free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

[Note]{.underline}: The official version of this document is the
document published in the [Federal]{.underline} [Register]{.underline}.
Free Internet access to the official version of the
[Federal]{.underline} [Register]{.underline} and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO access at:

[www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html](http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html)

[PROGRAM AUTHORITY]{.underline}: 20 U.S.C. 7315-7315c for State-Flex,
and 20 U.S.C. 7321-7321e for Local-Flex.

Dated:

> \_\_/s/\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> Raymond Simon,
>
> [Assistant Secretary for]{.underline}
>
> [Elementary and Secondary]{.underline}
>
> [Education.]{.underline}

**[PROGRAM STATUTE]{.smallcaps}**

**TITLE VI, PART A**

**Subpart 3---State and Local Flexibility Demonstration**

**SEC. 6131. SHORT TITLE.**

This subpart may be cited as the 'State and Local Flexibility

Demonstration Act'.

**SEC. 6132. PURPOSE.**

The purpose of this subpart is to create options for selected State
educational agencies and local educational agencies---

\(1\) to improve the academic achievement of all students, and to focus
the

> resources of the Federal Government upon such achievement;
>
> \(2\) to improve teacher quality and subject matter mastery,
> especially in mathematics, reading, and science;
>
> \(3\) to better empower parents, educators, administrators, and
> schools to effectively address the needs of their children and
> students;
>
> \(4\) to give participating State educational agencies and local
> educational agencies greater flexibility in determining how to
> increase their students' academic achievement and implement education
> reforms in their schools;
>
> \(5\) to eliminate barriers to implementing effective State and local
> education reform, while preserving the goals of opportunity for all
> students and accountability for student progress;
>
> \(6\) to hold participating State educational agencies and local
> educational agencies accountable for increasing the academic
> achievement of all students, especially disadvantaged students; and
>
> \(7\) to narrow achievement gaps between the lowest and highest
> achieving groups of students so that no child is left behind.

**SEC. 6133. GENERAL PROVISION.**

For purposes of this subpart, any State that is one local educational
agency shall be considered a State educational agency and not a local
educational agency.

**CHAPTER A---STATE FLEXIBILITY AUTHORITY**

**SEC. 6141. STATE FLEXIBILITY.**

\(a\) FLEXIBILITY AUTHORITY.---Except as otherwise provided in this
chapter, the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, grant flexibility
authority to not more than seven eligible State educational agencies,
under which the agencies may consolidate and use funds in accordance
with section 6142.

\(b\) DEFINITIONS.---In this chapter:

> \(1\) ELIGIBLE STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.---The term 'eligible State
> educational agency' means a State educational agency that---
>
> \(A\) submits an approvable application under subsection (c); and
>
> \(B\) proposes performance agreements---
>
> \(i\) that shall be entered into with not fewer than 4, and not more
> than 10, local educational agencies;
>
> \(ii\) not fewer than half of which shall be entered into with
> high-poverty local educational agencies; and
>
> \(iii\) that require the local educational agencies described in
> clause (i) to align their use of consolidated funds under section 6152
> with the State educational agency's use of consolidated funds under
> section 6142.
>
> \(2\) HIGH-POVERTY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.---The term 'high-poverty
> local educational agency' means a local educational agency for which
> 20 percent or more of the children who are age 5 through 17, and
> served by the local educational agency, are from families with incomes
> below the poverty line.

\(c\) STATE APPLICATIONS.---

> \(1\) APPLICATIONS.---To be eligible to receive flexibility authority
> under this chapter, a State educational agency shall submit an
> application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
> containing such information as the Secretary may require, including---
>
> \(A\) information demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the Secretary,
> that the grant of authority offers substantial promise of---
>
> \(i\) assisting the State educational agency in making adequate yearly
> progress, as defined under section 1111(b)(2); and
>
> \(ii\) aligning State and local reforms and assisting the local
> educational agencies that enter into performance agreements with the
> State educational agency under paragraph (2) in making such adequate
> yearly progress;
>
> \(B\) the performance agreements that the State educational agency
> proposes to enter into with eligible local educational agencies under
> paragraph (2);
>
> \(C\) information demonstrating that the State educational agency has
> consulted with and involved parents, representatives of local
> educational agencies, and other educators in the development of the
> terms of the grant of authority;
>
> \(D\) a provision specifying that the grant of flexibility authority
> shall be for a term of not more than 5 years;
>
> \(E\) a list of the programs described in section 6142(b) that are
> included in the scope of the grant of authority;
>
> \(F\) a provision specifying that no requirements of any program
> described in section 6142(b) and included by a State educational
> agency in the scope of the grant of authority shall apply to that
> agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter;
>
> \(G\) a 5-year plan describing how the State educational agency
> intends to consolidate and use the funds from programs included in the
> scope of the grant of authority, for any educational purpose
> authorized under this Act, in order to make adequate yearly progress
> and advance the education priorities of the State and the local
> educational agencies with which the State educational agency enters
> into performance agreements;
>
> \(H\) an assurance that the State educational agency will provide
> parents, teachers, and representatives of local educational agencies
> and schools with notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed
> terms of the grant of authority;
>
> \(I\) an assurance that the State educational agency, and the local
> educational agencies with which the State educational agency enters
> into performance agreements, will use fiscal control and fund
> accounting procedures that will ensure proper disbursement of, and
> accounting for, Federal funds consolidated and used under the grant of
> authority;
>
> \(J\) an assurance that the State educational agency, and the local
> educational agencies with which the State educational agency enters
> into performance agreements, will meet the requirements of all
> applicable Federal civil rights laws in carrying out the grant of
> authority, including consolidating and using funds under the grant of
> authority;
>
> \(K\) an assurance that, in consolidating and using funds under the
> grant of authority---
>
> \(i\) the State educational agency, and the local educational agencies
> with which the State educational agency enters into performance
> agreements, will provide for the equitable participation of students
> and professional staff in private schools consistent with section
> 9501; and
>
> \(ii\) that sections 9502, 9503, and 9504 shall apply to all services
> and assistance provided with such funds in the same manner as such
> sections apply to services and assistance provided in accordance with
> section 9501;
>
> \(L\) an assurance that the State educational agency will, for the
> duration of the grant of authority, use funds consolidated under
> section 6142 only to supplement the amount of funds that would, in the
> absence of those Federal funds, be made available from non-Federal
> sources for the education of students participating in programs
> assisted with the consolidated funds, and not to supplant those funds;
> and
>
> \(M\) an assurance that the State educational agency shall, not later
> than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary makes the grant of
> authority, and annually thereafter during the term of the grant of
> authority, disseminate widely to parents and the general public,
> transmit to the Secretary, distribute to print and broadcast media,
> and post on the Internet, a report, which shall include a detailed
> description of how the State educational agency, and the local
> educational agencies with which the State educational agency enters
> into performance agreements, used the funds consolidated under the
> grant of authority to make adequate yearly progress and advance the
> education priorities of the State and local educational agencies in
> the State.
>
> \(2\) PROPOSED PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL EDUCATIONAL
> AGENCIES.---
>
> \(A\) IN GENERAL.---A State educational agency that wishes to receive
> flexibility authority under this subpart shall propose performance
> agreements that meet the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of
> subsection (b)(1)(B) (subject to approval of the application or
> amendment involved under subsection (d) or (e)).
>
> \(B\) PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS.---Each proposed performance agreement
> with a local educational agency shall---
>
> \(i\) contain plans for the local educational agency to consolidate
> and use funds in accordance with section 6152, for activities that are
> aligned with the State educational agency's plan described in
> paragraph (1)(G);
>
> \(ii\) be subject to the requirements of chapter B relating to
> agreements between the Secretary and a local educational agency,
> except---
>
> \(I\) that, as appropriate, references in that chapter to the
> Secretary shall be deemed to be references to the State educational
> agency; and
>
> \(II\) as otherwise provided in this chapter; and
>
> \(iii\) contain an assurance that the local educational agency will,
> for the duration of the grant of authority, use funds consolidated
> under section 6152 only to supplement the amount of funds that would,
> in the absence of those Federal funds, be made available from
> non-Federal sources for the education of students participating in
> programs assisted with the consolidated funds, and not to supplant
> those funds.

\(d\) APPROVAL AND SELECTION.---The Secretary shall---

> \(1\) establish a peer review process to assist in the review of
> proposed State applications under this section; and
>
> \(2\) appoint individuals to participate in the peer review

process who are---

> \(A\) representative of parents, teachers, State educational agencies,
> and local educational agencies; and
>
> \(B\) familiar with educational standards, assessments,
> accountability, curricula, instruction, and staff development, and
> other diverse educational needs of students.

\(e\) AMENDMENT TO GRANT OF AUTHORITY.---

> \(1\) IN GENERAL.---Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall
> amend the grant of flexibility authority made to a State educational
> agency under this chapter, in each of the following circumstances:
>
> \(A\) REDUCTION IN SCOPE OF THE GRANT OF AUTHORITY.---Not later than 1
> year after receiving a grant of flexibility authority, the State
> educational agency seeks to amend the grant of authority to remove
> from the scope of the grant of authority any program described in
> section 6142(b).
>
> \(B\) EXPANSION OF SCOPE OF THE GRANT OF AUTHORITY.---Not later than 1
> year after receiving a grant of flexibility authority, the State
> educational agency seeks to amend the grant of authority to include in
> the scope of the grant of authority any additional program described
> in section 6142(b) or any additional achievement indicators for which
> the State will be held accountable.
>
> \(C\) CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO NUMBER OF PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS.---The
> State educational agency seeks to amend the grant of authority to
> include or remove performance agreements that the State educational
> agency proposes to enter into with eligible local educational
> agencies, except that in no case may the State educational agency
> enter into performance agreements that do not meet the requirements of
> clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (b)(1)(B).
>
> \(2\) APPROVAL AND DISAPPROVAL.---
>
> \(A\) DEEMED APPROVAL.---A proposed amendment to a grant of
> flexibility authority submitted by a State educational agency pursuant
> to paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be approved by the Secretary
> unless the Secretary makes a written determination, prior to the
> expiration of the 120-day period beginning on the date on which the
> Secretary received the proposed amendment, that the proposed amendment
> is not in compliance with this chapter.
>
> \(B\) DISAPPROVAL.---The Secretary shall not finally disapprove the
> proposed amendment, except after giving the State educational agency
> notice and an opportunity for a hearing.
>
> \(C\) NOTIFICATION.---If the Secretary finds that the proposed
> amendment is not in compliance, in whole or in part, with this
> chapter, the Secretary shall---
>
> \(i\) give the State educational agency notice and an opportunity for
> a hearing; and
>
> \(ii\) notify the State educational agency of the finding of
> noncompliance and, in such notification, shall---
>
> \(I\) cite the specific provisions in the proposed amendment that are
> not in compliance; and
>
> \(II\) request additional information, only as to the noncompliant
> provisions, needed to make the proposed amendment compliant.
>
> \(D\) RESPONSE.---If the State educational agency responds to the
> Secretary's notification described in subparagraph (C)(ii) during the
> 45-day period beginning on the date on which the agency received the
> notification, and resubmits the proposed amendment with the requested
> information described in subparagraph (C)(ii)(II), the Secretary shall
> approve or disapprove such proposed amendment prior to the later of---
>
> \(i\) the expiration of the 45-day period beginning on the date on
> which the proposed amendment is resubmitted; or
>
> \(ii\) the expiration of the 120-day period described in subparagraph
> (A).
>
> \(E\) FAILURE TO RESPOND.---If the State educational agency does not
> respond to the Secretary's notification described in subparagraph
> (C)(ii) during the 45-day period beginning on the date on which the
> agency received the notification, such proposed amendment shall be
> deemed to be disapproved.
>
> \(3\) TREATMENT OF PROGRAM FUNDS WITHDRAWN FROM GRANT OF
> AUTHORITY.---Beginning on the effective date of an amendment executed
> under paragraph (1)(A), each program requirement of each program
> removed from the scope of a grant of authority shall apply to the use
> of funds made available under the program by the State educational
> agency and each local educational agency with which the State
> educational agency has a performance agreement.

**SEC. 6142. CONSOLIDATION AND USE OF FUNDS.**

\(a\) IN GENERAL.---

> \(1\) AUTHORITY.---Under a grant of flexibility authority made under
> this chapter, a State educational agency may consolidate Federal funds
> described in subsection (b) and made available to the agency, and use
> such funds for any educational purpose authorized under this Act.
>
> \(2\) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.---Except as otherwise provided in this
> chapter, a State educational agency may use funds under paragraph (1)
> notwithstanding the program requirements of the program under which
> the funds were made available to the State.

\(b\) ELIGIBLE FUNDS AND PROGRAMS.---

> \(1\) FUNDS.---The funds described in this subsection are funds, for
> State-level activities and State administration, that are described in
> the following provisions:
>
> \(A\) Section 1004.
>
> \(B\) Paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1202(d).
>
> \(C\) Section 2113(a)(3).
>
> \(D\) Section 2412(a)(1).
>
> \(E\) Subsections (a) (with the agreement of the Governor),
>
> (b)(2), and (c)(1) of section 4112.
>
> \(F\) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 4202(c).
>
> \(G\) Section 5112(b).
>
> \(2\) PROGRAMS.---The programs described in this subsection are the
> programs authorized to be carried out with funds described in
> paragraph (1).

\(c\) SPECIAL RULE.---A State educational agency that receives a grant
of flexibility authority under this chapter---

> \(1\) shall ensure that the funds described in section 5112(a) are
> allocated to local educational agencies in the State in accordance
> with section 5112(a); but
>
> \(2\) may specify how the local educational agencies shall use the
> allocated funds.

**SEC. 6143. PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND PENALTIES.**

\(a\) MIDTERM REVIEW.---

> \(1\) FAILURE TO MAKE ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS.---If, during the term
> of a grant of flexibility authority under this chapter, a State
> educational agency fails to make adequate yearly progress for 2
> consecutive years, the Secretary shall, after providing notice and an
> opportunity for a hearing, terminate the grant of authority promptly.
>
> \(2\) NONCOMPLIANCE.---The Secretary may, after providing notice and
> an opportunity for a hearing (including the opportunity to provide
> evidence as described in paragraph (3)), terminate a grant of
> flexibility authority for a State if there is evidence that the State
> educational agency involved has failed to comply with the terms of the
> grant of authority.
>
> \(3\) EVIDENCE.---If a State educational agency believes that a
> determination of the Secretary under this subsection is in error for
> statistical or other substantive reasons, the State educational agency
> may provide supporting evidence to the Secretary, and the Secretary
> shall consider that evidence before making a final termination
> determination under this subsection.

\(b\) FINAL REVIEW.---

> \(1\) IN GENERAL.---If, at the end of the 5-year term of a grant of
> flexibility authority made under this chapter, the State educational
> agency has not met the requirements described in section 6141(c), the
> Secretary may not renew the grant of flexibility authority under
> section 6144.
>
> \(2\) COMPLIANCE.---Beginning on the date on which such term ends, the
> State educational agency, and the local educational agencies with
> which the State educational agency has entered into performance
> agreements, shall be required to comply with each of the program
> requirements in effect on such date for each program that was included
> in the grant of authority.

**SEC. 6144. RENEWAL OF GRANT OF FLEXIBILITY AUTHORITY.**

\(a\) IN GENERAL.---Except as provided in section 6143 and in accordance
with this section, if a State educational agency has met, by the end of
the original 5-year term of a grant of flexibility authority under this
chapter, the requirements described in section 6141(c), the Secretary
shall renew a grant of flexibility authority for one additional 5-year
term.

\(b\) RENEWAL.---The Secretary may not renew a grant of flexibility
authority under this chapter unless, not later than 6 months before the
end of the original term of the grant of authority, the State
educational agency seeking the renewal notifies the Secretary, and the
local educational agencies with which the State educational agency has
entered into performance agreements, of the agency's intention to renew
the grant of authority.

\(c\) EFFECTIVE DATE.---A renewal under this section shall be effective
on the later of---

> \(1\) the expiration of the original term of the grant of authority;
> or
>
> \(2\) the date on which the State educational agency seeking the
> renewal provides to the Secretary all data required for the
> application described in section 6141(c).

**CHAPTER B---LOCAL FLEXIBILITY DEMONSTRATION**

**SEC. 6151. LOCAL FLEXIBILITY DEMONSTRATION AGREEMENTS.**

\(a\) AUTHORITY.---Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the
Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, enter into local flexibility
demonstration agreements---

> \(1\) with local educational agencies that submit approvable proposed
> agreements under subsection (c) and that are selected under subsection
> (b); and
>
> \(2\) under which those agencies may consolidate and use funds in
> accordance with section 6152.

\(b\) SELECTION OF LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.---

> \(1\) IN GENERAL.---Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall
> enter into local flexibility demonstration agreements under this
> chapter with not more than 80 local educational agencies. Each local
> educational agency shall be selected on a competitive basis from among
> those local educational agencies that---
>
> \(A\) submit a proposed local flexibility demonstration agreement
> under subsection (c) to the Secretary and demonstrate, to the
> satisfaction of the Secretary, that the agreement---
>
> \(i\) has a substantial promise of assisting the local educational
> agency in meeting the State's definition of adequate yearly progress,
> advancing the education priorities of the local educational agency,
> meeting the general purposes of the programs included under this
> chapter and the purposes of this part, improving student achievement,
> and narrowing achievement gaps in accordance with section 1111(b);
>
> \(ii\) meets the requirements of this chapter; and
>
> \(iii\) contains a plan to consolidate and use funds in accordance
> with section 6152 in order to meet the State's definition of adequate
> yearly progress and the local educational agency's specific,
> measurable goals for improving student achievement and narrowing
> achievement gaps; and
>
> \(B\) have consulted and involved parents and other educators in the
> development of the proposed local flexibility demonstration agreement.
>
> \(2\) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.---
>
> \(A\) INITIAL AGREEMENTS.---The Secretary may enter into not more than
> three local flexibility demonstration agreements under this chapter
> with local educational agencies in each State that does not have a
> grant of flexibility authority under chapter A.
>
> \(B\) URBAN AND RURAL AREAS.---If more than three local educational
> agencies in a State submit approvable local flexibility demonstration
> agreements under this chapter, the Secretary shall select local
> educational agencies with which to enter into such agreements in a
> manner that ensures an equitable distribution among such agencies
> serving urban and rural areas.
>
> \(C\) PRIORITY OF STATES TO ENTER INTO STATE FLEXIBILITY DEMONSTRATION
> AGREEMENTS.---Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a
> local educational agency may not seek to enter into a local
> flexibility demonstration agreement under this chapter if that agency
> is located in a State for which the State educational agency---
>
> \(i\) has, not later than 4 months after the date of enactment of the
> No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, notified the Secretary of its intent
> to apply for a grant of flexibility authority under chapter A and,
> within such period of time as the Secretary may establish, is provided
> with such authority by the Secretary; or
>
> \(ii\) has, at any time after such period, been granted flexibility
> authority under chapter A.

\(c\) REQUIRED TERMS OF LOCAL FLEXIBILITY DEMONSTRATION
AGREEMENT.---Each local flexibility demonstration agreement entered into
with the Secretary under this chapter shall contain each of the
following terms:

> \(1\) DURATION.---The local flexibility demonstration agreement shall
> be for a term of 5 years.
>
> \(2\) APPLICATION OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.---The local flexibility
> demonstration agreement shall provide that no requirements of any
> program described in section 6152 and included by a local educational
> agency in the scope of its agreement shall apply to that agency,
> except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
>
> \(3\) LIST OF PROGRAMS.---The local flexibility demonstration
> agreement shall list which of the programs described in section 6152
> are included in the scope of the agreement.
>
> \(4\) USE OF FUNDS TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.--- The local
> flexibility demonstration agreement shall contain a 5-year plan
> describing how the local educational agency intends to consolidate and
> use the funds from programs included in the scope of the agreement for
> any educational purpose authorized under this Act to advance the
> education priorities of the local educational agency, meet the general
> purposes of the included programs, improve student achievement, and
> narrow achievement gaps in accordance with section 1111(b).
>
> \(5\) LOCAL INPUT.---The local flexibility demonstration agreement
> shall contain an assurance that the local educational agency will
> provide parents, teachers, and representatives of schools with notice
> and an opportunity to comment on the proposed terms of the local
> flexibility demonstration agreement.
>
> \(6\) FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES.---The local flexibility demonstration
> agreement shall contain an assurance that the local educational agency
> will use fiscal control and fund accounting procedures that will
> ensure proper disbursement of, and accounting for, Federal funds
> consolidated and used under the agreement.
>
> \(7\) CIVIL RIGHTS.---The local flexibility demonstration agreement
> shall contain an assurance that the local educational agency will meet
> the requirements of all applicable Federal civil rights laws in
> carrying out the agreement and in consolidating and using the funds
> under the agreement.
>
> \(8\) PRIVATE SCHOOL PARTICIPATION.---The local flexibility
> demonstration agreement shall contain an assurance that the local
> educational agency agrees that in consolidating and using funds under
> the agreement---
>
> \(A\) the local educational agency, will provide for the equitable
> participation of students and professional staff in private schools
> consistent with section 9501; and
>
> \(B\) that sections 9502, 9503, and 9504 shall apply to all services
> and assistance provided with such funds in the same manner as such
> sections apply to services and assistance provided in accordance with
> section 9501.
>
> \(9\) SUPPLANTING.---The local flexibility demonstration agreement
> shall contain an assurance that the local educational agency will, for
> the duration of the grant of authority, use funds consolidated under
> section 6152 only to supplement the amount of funds that would, in the
> absence of those Federal funds, be made available from non-Federal
> sources for the education of students participating in programs
> assisted with the consolidated funds, and not to supplant those funds.
>
> \(10\) ANNUAL REPORTS.---The local flexibility demonstration agreement
> shall contain an assurance that the local educational agency shall,
> not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary enters
> into the agreement, and annually thereafter during the term of the
> agreement, disseminate widely to parents and the general public,
> transmit to the Secretary, and the State educational agency for the
> State in which the local educational agency is located, distribute to
> print and broadcast media, and post on the Internet, a report that
> includes a detailed description of how the local educational agency
> used the funds consolidated under the agreement to improve student
> academic achievement and reduce achievement gaps.

\(d\) PEER REVIEW.---The Secretary shall---

> \(1\) establish a peer review process to assist in the review of
> proposed local flexibility demonstration agreements under this
> chapter; and
>
> \(2\) appoint individuals to the peer review process who are
> representative of parents, teachers, State educational agencies, and
> local educational agencies, and who are familiar with educational
> standards, assessments, accountability, curriculum, instruction and
> staff development, and other diverse educational needs of students.

\(e\) AMENDMENT TO PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT.---

> \(1\) IN GENERAL.---In each of the following circumstances, the
> Secretary shall amend a local flexibility demonstration agreement
> entered into with a local educational agency under this chapter:
>
> \(A\) REDUCTION IN SCOPE OF LOCAL FLEXIBILITY DEMONSTRATION
> AGREEMENT.---Not later than 1 year after entering into a local
> flexibility demonstration agreement, the local educational agency
> seeks to amend the agreement to remove from the scope any program
> described in section 6152.
>
> \(B\) EXPANSION OF SCOPE OF LOCAL FLEXIBILITY DEMONSTRATION
> AGREEMENT.---Not later than 1 year after entering into the local
> flexibility demonstration agreement, a local educational agency seeks
> to amend the agreement to include in its scope any additional program
> described in section 6251 or any additional achievement indicators for
> which the local educational agency will be held accountable.
>
> \(2\) APPROVAL AND DISAPPROVAL.---
>
> \(A\) DEEMED APPROVAL.---A proposed amendment to a local flexibility
> demonstration agreement pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be deemed to
> be approved by the Secretary unless the Secretary makes a written
> determination, prior to the expiration of the 120-day period beginning
> on the date on which the Secretary received the proposed amendment,
> that the proposed amendment is not in compliance with this chapter.
>
> \(B\) DISAPPROVAL.---The Secretary shall not finally disapprove the
> proposed amendment, except after giving the local educational agency
> notice and an opportunity for a hearing.
>
> \(C\) NOTIFICATION.---If the Secretary finds that the proposed
> amendment is not in compliance, in whole or in part, with this
> chapter, the Secretary shall---
>
> \(i\) give the local educational agency notice and an opportunity for
> a hearing; and
>
> \(ii\) notify the local educational agency of the finding of
> noncompliance and, in such notification, shall---
>
> \(I\) cite the specific provisions in the proposed amendment that are
> not in compliance; and
>
> \(II\) request additional information, only as to the noncompliant
> provisions, needed to make the proposed amendment compliant.
>
> \(D\) RESPONSE.---If the local educational agency responds to the
> Secretary's notification described in subparagraph (C)(ii) during the
> 45-day period beginning on the date on which the agency received the
> notification, and resubmits the proposed amendment with the requested
> information described in subparagraph (C)(ii)(II), the Secretary shall
> approve or disapprove such proposed amendment prior to the later of---
>
> \(i\) the expiration of the 45-day period beginning on the date on
> which the proposed amendment is resubmitted; or
>
> \(ii\) the expiration of the 120-day period described in subparagraph
> (A).
>
> \(E\) FAILURE TO RESPOND.---If the local educational agency does not
> respond to the Secretary's notification described in subparagraph
> (C)(ii) during the 45-day period beginning on the date on which the
> agency received the notification, such proposed amendment shall be
> deemed to be disapproved.
>
> \(3\) TREATMENT OF PROGRAM FUNDS WITHDRAWN FROM AGREEMENT.---Beginning
> on the effective date of an amendment executed under paragraph (1)(A),
> each program requirement of each program removed from the scope of a
> local flexibility demonstration agreement shall apply to the use of
> funds made available under the program by the local educational
> agency.

**SEC. 6152. CONSOLIDATION AND USE OF FUNDS.**

\(a\) IN GENERAL.---

> \(1\) AUTHORITY.---Under a local flexibility demonstration agreement
> entered into under this chapter, a local educational agency may
> consolidate Federal funds made available to the agency under the
> provisions listed in subsection (b) and use such funds for any
> educational purpose permitted under this Act.
>
> \(2\) PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.---Except as otherwise provided in this
> chapter, a local educational agency may use funds under paragraph (1)
> notwithstanding the program requirements of the program under which
> the funds were made available to the agency.

\(b\) ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS.---Program funds made available to local
educational agencies on the basis of a formula under the following
provisions may be consolidated and used under subsection (a):

> \(1\) Subpart 2 of part A of title II.
>
> \(2\) Subpart 1 of part D of title II.
>
> \(3\) Subpart 1 of part A of title IV.
>
> \(4\) Subpart 1 of part A of title V.

**SEC. 6153. LIMITATIONS ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURES.**

Each local educational agency that has entered into a local flexibility
demonstration agreement with the Secretary under this chapter may use
for administrative purposes not more than 4 percent of the total amount
of funds allocated to the agency under the programs included in the
scope of the agreement.

**SEC. 6154. PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND PENALTIES.**

\(a\) MIDTERM REVIEW.---

> \(1\) FAILURE TO MAKE ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS.---If, during the term
> of a local flexibility demonstration agreement, a local educational
> agency fails to make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years,
> the Secretary shall, after notice and opportunity for a hearing,
> promptly terminate the agreement.
>
> \(2\) NONCOMPLIANCE.---The Secretary may, after providing notice and
> an opportunity for a hearing (including the opportunity to provide
> information as provided for in paragraph (3)), terminate a local
> flexibility demonstration agreement under this chapter if there is
> evidence that the local educational agency has failed to comply with
> the terms of the agreement.
>
> \(3\) EVIDENCE.---If a local educational agency believes that the
> Secretary's determination under this subsection is in error for
> statistical or other substantive reasons, the local educational agency
> may provide supporting evidence to the Secretary, and the Secretary
> shall consider that evidence before making a final early termination
> determination.

\(b\) FINAL REVIEW.---If, at the end of the 5-year term of a local
flexibility demonstration agreement entered into under this chapter, the
local educational agency has not met the requirements described in
section 6151(c), the Secretary may not renew the agreement under section
6155 and, beginning on the date on which such term ends, the local
educational agency shall be required to comply with each of the program
requirements in effect on such date for each program included in the
local flexibility demonstration agreement.

**SEC. 6155. RENEWAL OF LOCAL FLEXIBILITY DEMONSTRATION AGREEMENT.**

\(a\) IN GENERAL.---Except as provided in section 6154 and in accordance
with this section, the Secretary shall renew for one additional 5-year
term a local flexibility demonstration agreement entered into under this
chapter if the local educational agency has met, by the end of the
original term of the agreement, the requirements described in section
6151(c).

\(b\) NOTIFICATION.---The Secretary may not renew a local flexibility
demonstration agreement under this chapter unless, not less than 6
months before the end of the original term of the agreement, the local
educational agency seeking the renewal notifies the Secretary of its
intention to renew.

\(c\) EFFECTIVE DATE.---A renewal under this section shall be effective
at the end of the original term of the agreement or on the date on which
the local educational agency seeking renewal provides to the Secretary
all data required under the agreement, whichever is later.

**SEC. 6156. REPORTS.**

\(a\) TRANSMITTAL TO CONGRESS.---Not later than 60 days after the
Secretary receives a report described in section 6151(b)(10), the
Secretary shall make the report available to the Committee on Education
and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.

\(b\) LIMITATION.---A State in which a local educational agency that has
a local flexibility demonstration agreement is located may not require
such local educational agency to provide any application information
with respect to the programs included within the scope of that agreement
other than that information that is required to be included in the
report described in section 6151(b)(10).

**GENERAL** **EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION GUIDANCE**

Under section 6141(c)(1)(K) of the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary
Education Act (ESEA), in consolidating and using funds under a grant of
State-Flex authority, an SEA and the LEAs with which the SEA enters into
performance agreements must provide for the equitable participation of
private school students and staff consistent with section 9501. Sections
9502, 9503, and 9504 apply to all services and assistance provided with
the consolidated funds.

While an SEA with State-Flex authority may direct how its LEAs will use
the funds that they receive under Part A of Title V, it may direct how
LEAs may use these funds for the benefit of private school teachers and
students only after the SEA engages in timely and meaning consultation
with officials representing the full spectrum of private schools in the
State. The SEA may choose not to direct how LEAs will use these funds
for private school students and teachers even if it directs how LEAs
will use funds under Part A of Title V for public school students. In
that event, the LEA has the responsibility of engaging in timely and
meaningful consultation with private school officials.

To the extent that the SEA consolidates funds under the following
programs and uses the consolidated funds for non-administrative
educational services and benefits, the SEA must provide for the
equitable participation of private school children and teachers:

-   Subpart 1 of Part B of Title I (Reading First)

-   Part A of Title II (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment,
    with professional development limitation)

-   Part D of Title II (Ed Tech)

-   Part A of Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities)

-   Part D of Title IV (21^st^ Century Community Learning Centers)

-   Part A of Title V (Innovative Programs) (See the provision in
    section 5142(a) regarding equitable participation with respect to
    instructional or training programs funded by the SEA from Title V,
    Part A funds made available for SEA use.)

Once the SEA has made a decision to consolidate funds and has determined
which portion of the consolidated funds would be used for administrative
purposes, the SEA determines which portion of the remainder -- i.e., the
consolidated funds used for educational services and benefits -- must be
used for the benefit of private school children and teachers. This
determination may be based on the proportion of elementary and secondary
school students in private schools in the State.

An LEA that enters into a performance agreement with its SEA in a
State-Flex State is subject to the same equitable participation
requirements as an LEA that enters into a Local-Flex agreement with the
Secretary. That is, an LEA must first determine the amount of funds that
are generated by private school students under the programs that the LEA
plans to consolidate. (See the special provision in section 9501(b)(3)
regarding Part A of Title II.) The LEA must reserve these funds for the
benefit of private school students and teachers. Thus, the total amount
of funding that is used for the benefit of private school students and
teachers is not affected by an LEA's performance agreement with its SEA.

An LEA must engage in timely and meaningful consultation with private
school officials to determine how these reserved funds should be
expended for the benefit of private school students and teachers. These
funds may be used for an authorized activity under any ESEA program in
which private school students and teachers are eligible to receive
benefits, and need not be the same activities or programs for which an
LEA uses its consolidated funds for public schools.

######### 

**SECTION**

D

PREPARING AN APPLICATION

**INTRODUCTION TO THE**

**STATE FLEXIBILITY AUTHORITY**

**DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM**

There is no specific deadline for submitting applications under this
program. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are
received until the Secretary grants State-Flex authority to 7 SEAs, the
maximum number authorized under the law. The Department will continually
update its website to show how many SEAs have received State-Flexibility
Authority and how many grants of authority remain available.

We strongly encourage potential applicants to send a notification of
their intent to submit a State-Flex application to StateFlex@ed.gov
approximately one month before the intended date of submission. The
notification of intent to apply for funding is optional and should not
include information regarding the application.

Under the State-Flex program, the Secretary will grant State-Flexibility
Authority (State-Flex) to up to seven State educational agencies (SEAs)
that submit high-quality State-Flex proposals. The Secretary intends to
select up to 4 SEAs for State-Flex authority during this initial
competition.

Each State-Flex SEA\--

\(1\) may consolidate certain Federal formula funds reserved for State
administration and State-level activities for any educational purpose
authorized under the ESEA to assist the SEA, and the local educational
agencies (LEAs) with which it enters into performance agreements, in
making adequate yearly progress (AYP) and narrowing achievement gaps;

\(2\) must enter into performance agreements with four to ten LEAs in
the State (half of which must be high poverty LEAs), permitting those
LEAs to consolidate certain Federal funds and to use those funds for any
ESEA purpose consistent with the SEA's State-Flex plan; and

\(2\) may specify how all of its LEAs will use the funds that they
receive under Part A of Title V (Innovative Program funds). The SEA must
comply, however, with the normal requirements in Title V for allocating
those funds.

The SEA proposal, if approved, would for the basis of the grant of
State-Flex authority.

The legislation permits participating SEAs to consolidate funds for
State-level activities and State administration under the following
programs:

-   Section 1004 (Improving the Academic Achievement of Disadvantaged
    Children)

-   Paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1202(d) (Reading First)

-   Section 2113(a)(3) (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment)

-   Section 2412(a)(1) (Enhancing Education through Technology)

-   Subsection (a) of section 4112 (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and
    Communities Governor's funds, with agreement of the Governor)

-   Subsection (b)(2) and (c)(1) of section 4112 (Safe and Drug-Free
    Schools and Communities SEA funds)

-   Paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 4202(c) (21^st^ Century Community
    Learning Centers)

-   Section 5112(b) (Innovative Programs)

The consolidated SEA funds may be used for any authorized ESEA activity,
consistent with the purposes of the State-Flex program and the SEA's
grant of State-Flex authority, in order to assist the SEA in meeting the
State's definition of AYP and in narrowing achievement gaps.

In addition, the legislation permits the LEAs with which the State has
entered into local performance agreements to consolidate formula grant
funds under the following programs:

-   Subpart 2 of Part A of Title II (Teacher and Principal Training and
    Recruitment)

-   Subpart 1 of Part D of Title II (Enhancing Education Through
    Technology)

-   Subpart 1 of Part A of Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and
    Communities)

-   Subpart 1 of Part A of Title V (Innovative Programs).

The consolidated LEA funds may be used for any authorized ESEA activity,
consistent with the purposes of the State-Flex program and the SEA's
State-Flex agreement, in order to assist the LEA in meeting the State's
definition of AYP and in narrowing achievement gaps. The LEA must still
meet the general purposes of the programs included in the consolidation.

The Secretary will select participating SEAs on a competitive basis
using a peer review process. Applications will be reviewed based on the
selection criteria specified in this application package.

SEAs in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Outlying Areas are not eligible to
apply for State-Flex because they do not have the minimum number of LEAs
required for State-Flex authority.

If an LEA has entered into a Local-Flex agreement with the Secretary,
its SEA may subsequently seek State-Flex authority only if the LEA's
Local-Flex agreement is incorporated as one of the proposed performance
agreements in the SEA's State-Flex proposal. If an SEA has received
State-Flex authority from the Secretary, its LEAs may not apply to the
Department for Local-Flex. Rather, in these States, four to ten LEAs (at
least half of which must be high-poverty LEAs) enter into a local
performance agreements directly with their SEA.

**APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS**

To be considered for participation in the State-Flex program, you must
submit a five-year State-Flex proposal that includes the following
information:

> \(1\) A completed SEA cover page. (The cover page form is provided on
> page D-12 of this application package.)
>
> \(2\) The SEA Consolidated Funds Form. (This form is provided on page
> D-13 of this application package.)
>
> \(3\) [Assurances]{.underline}
>
> You must provide the assurances contained on page D-14 of this
> application package. (One of these assurances relates to compliance
> with the equitable participation requirements. Guidance on these
> requirements is provided in Section C of this package.)
>
> \(4\) [A Narrative]{.underline}
>
> You must provide a narrative that addresses the application
> requirements and selection criteria, and contains the following
> information:
>
> \(a\) [Statewide baseline academic data and LEA achievement
> profiles]{.underline}
>
> Your State-Flex proposal must include statewide student achievement
> data for the most recent available school year, including data from
> assessments, as well as descriptions of achievement trends. You must
> provide data for both mathematics and reading or language arts, and
> you must disaggregate the results by each major racial and ethnic
> group, by English proficiency status, by disability status, and by
> status as economically disadvantaged. . (These are the categories,
> among others, by which SEAs and LEAs must disaggregate data for
> determining AYP under section 1111(b)(2) of the reauthorized ESEA.)
>
> You may also include in your proposal statewide baseline achievement
> data that are further disaggregated by gender and by migrant status,
> or baseline data on other academic indicators, such as grade-to-grade
> retention rates, student dropout rates, and percentages of students
> completing gifted and talented, advanced placement, and college
> preparatory courses. To the extent possible, the baseline data on
> other academic indicators should also be disaggregated.
>
> In addition, your State-Flex proposal must include a profile of
> student achievement trends in LEAs across your State. In discussing
> these data, you must also discuss why your State proposes to enter
> into local performance agreements with the LEAs you have chosen,
> rather than entering into agreements with other LEAs in your State.

\(b\) [The SEA's strategies for consolidating funds, making adequate
yearly progress, and advancing the education priorities of the
State.]{.underline}

> *(i) Plan for the consolidation and use of State-level funds*
>
> You must propose a five-year plan that shows how your State will
> consolidate and use State-level funds from the programs the State
> plans to include in the scope of its State-Flex authority. The plan
> must show how this consolidation and uses of funds will assist the SEA
> in making AYP, narrowing achievement gaps, and in advancing the
> education priorities of the State and the LEAs within the State.
>
> In your plan, you should also include a five-year general budget
> outline for the activities that you are proposing to support. The
> budget outline should show both Federal and other resources that will
> be used to support these activities, and it should include a brief
> narrative rationale. In addition, your submission must include
> specific information on the fiscal year and amount of Federal funds
> that you propose to consolidate under the agreement. See SEA
> Consolidated Funds Form on page D-13.
>
> *(ii) Description of how local performance agreements support the
> State-Flex proposal*
>
> Your proposal must discuss how the strategies and goals in each local
> performance agreement will assist the State in meeting AYP and
> narrowing achievement gaps.

*(iii) Limitations on the use of Title V funds by LEAs*

> Your proposal must discuss any specific limitations that your State
> would impose on the use of funds provided to LEAs under Title V, Part
> A, Section 5112 (a) (Innovative Programs) of the ESEA. The proposal
> must also discuss how these limitations will assist LEAs in the State
> in making AYP.

\(c\) Proposed performance agreements with LEAs

Your application must include the proposed five-year local performance
agreements required by the legislation. To receive State-Flex authority,
you must enter into local performance agreements with 4 to 10 LEAs in
your State. At least half of the agreements must be with high-poverty
LEAs. (A high-poverty LEA is one for which 20% or more of the children
aged 5 through 17 and served the LEA are from families with incomes
below the poverty line. Note: Poverty line data is based on Census
poverty data, and is not the same as free and reduced price lunch data).

Each proposed local performance agreement must include:

\(i\) [Baseline academic data]{.underline}

> Each proposed local performance agreement must include LEA student
> achievement data for the most recent available school year, for both
> mathematics and reading or language arts, and you must disaggregate
> the results by each major racial and ethnic group, by English
> proficiency status, by disability status, and by status as
> economically disadvantaged. (These are the categories, among others,
> by which SEAs and LEAs must disaggregate data for determining AYP
> under section 1111(b)(2) of the reauthorized ESEA.)
>
> In addition to including baseline achievement data that are
> disaggregated, to the extent possible, by the categories noted above,
> each proposed local performance agreement may include LEA baseline
> achievement data that are further disaggregated by gender and by
> migrant status, or baseline data on other academic indicators, such as
> grade-to-grade retention rates, student dropout rates, and percentages
> of students completing gifted and talented, advanced placement, and
> college preparatory courses. To the extent possible, the baseline data
> on other academic indicators should also be disaggregated.

\(ii\) [Specific, measurable education goals]{.underline}

> Each proposed local performance agreement must contain specific,
> measurable educational goals, with annual objectives, that the LEA
> seeks to achieve by consolidating and using funds in accordance with
> the terms of its proposed agreement. The goals in the proposals must
> relate to the State's definition of AYP under section 1111(b)(2) of
> the ESEA, including narrowing achievement gaps relative to the
> baseline achievement data and other baseline data that are submitted.
>
> \(iii\) [Strategies for meeting the goals and the general purposes of
> the consolidated programs]{.underline}
>
> *(a) Strategies for meeting the goals*
>
> For each proposed local performance agreement, the SEA must describe a
> five-year plan that contains specific strategies for reaching your
> stated goals. In particular, it must describe how the LEA will
> consolidate and use funds received under Subpart 2 of Part A of Title
> II (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment); Subpart 1 of Part
> D of Title II (Enhancing Education Through Technology); Subpart 1 of
> Part A of Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities); and
> Subpart 1 of Part A of Title V (Innovative Programs).
>
> Each proposed local performance agreement should also include a
> five-year general budget outline for the activities that the LEA is
> proposing to support. The budget outline should show both Federal and
> other resources that will be used to support these activities, and it
> should reflect administrative costs. The budget outline should be
> accompanied by a brief narrative rationale. In addition, the proposed
> local performance agreement must include specific information on the
> amount of Federal funds that you propose to consolidate under the
> agreement. (See Cover Page in page D-15 and LEA Consolidated Funds
> Form in page D-16).
>
> *(b) Description of how each LEA with a local performance agreement
> will meet the general purposes of the consolidated programs*
>
> For each proposed local performance agreement, you must describe how
> the LEA will meet the general purposes of the programs included in the
> consolidation. In particular, you must describe how each proposed LEA
> plan would:

-   Improve teacher and principal quality and increase the number of
    highly qualified teachers in classrooms. (Title II, Part A)

-   Improve teaching and student academic achievement through the use of
    technology in schools. (Title II, Part D)

-   Support programs that prevent violence in and around schools, and
    that prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. (Title
    IV, Part A)

-   Support local education reform efforts that are consistent with and
    support statewide education reform efforts. (Title V, Part A)

**[SELECTION CRITERIA]{.smallcaps}**

The Secretary will use the following criteria to select the SEAs to
which he will grant State-Flex authority. The maximum points for each
criterion is indicated in parentheses after the heading for that
criterion.

(a) **Identification of the Need for the State-Flex Authority and the
    Proposed Performance Agreements*.* (25 points)**

The Secretary considers the SEA's need for State-Flex authority,
including the need for the performance agreements that the SEA proposes
in its State-Flex application. In determining need, the Secretary
considers the extent to which---

\(i\) The SEA's proposal identifies achievement gaps among different
groups of students, particularly in each of the LEAs with which the SEA
proposes to enter into a performance agreement.

\(ii\) The State-Flex authority and proposed performance agreements will
address the needs of students most at risk of educational failure.

\(iii\) The LEAs that would enter into performance agreements with the
SEA serve a substantial portion of the students in the State who are
most at risk of educational failure.

\(iv\) Requirements in the Federal programs that the SEA and LEAs with
performance agreements plan to consolidate create barriers to
implementing specific State and local education reform strategies.

**(b) Quality of SEA and LEA Strategies for Making Adequate Yearly
Progress (AYP), Narrowing Achievement Gaps, and Enhancing Education
Priorities. (30 points)**

The Secretary considers the quality of the strategies that the SEA will
implement under its grant of State-Flex authority, including the quality
of the strategies in each of the proposed performance agreements, for
making AYP, narrowing achievement gaps, and for enhancing State and
local education priorities. In determining the quality of these
strategies, the Secretary considers the extent to which---

\(i\) The strategies that the SEA proposes for consolidating and using
funds under the scope of the State-Flex authority and for directing how
LEAs in the State will use funds under section 5112(a) of the ESEA will
likely assist the State in meeting its definition of AYP, narrowing
achievement gaps, and advancing its education priorities.

\(ii\) The performance agreements that the SEA proposes to enter into
with LEAs in the State will likely assist the State in meeting its
definition of AYP, narrowing achievement gaps, and advancing its
education priorities.

\(iii\) The strategies in each of the proposed performance agreements,
especially the strategies for consolidating and using funds under the
scope of the agreements, will likely assist each affected LEA in meeting
the State's definition of AYP and specific, measurable goals for
improving student achievement and narrowing achievement gaps.

\(iv\) The extent to which the SEA and LEAs with proposed performance
agreements included parents, especially parents of children most at risk
of educational failure, in the development of the State-Flex proposal
and proposed local performance agreements.

\(v\) The State-Flex proposal and each of the proposed performance
agreements represent a coherent, sustained approach for meeting the
purposes of the State-Flex program.

\(vi\) The timelines for implementing the strategies in the State-Flex
proposal, including timelines in the proposed performance agreements,
are reasonable.

(c) **Quality of the Management Plans. (30 points)**

The Secretary considers the quality of the management plans that the SEA
and affected LEAs would follow in implementing State-Flex activities. In
reviewing the quality of the management plans, the Secretary considers
the extent to which---

\(i\) The SEA will provide effective technical assistance and support to
LEAs with performance agreements.

\(ii\) The SEA and each LEA with a performance agreement will use
disaggregated student achievement data and data on other academic
indicators to manage their proposed activities, to monitor their own
progress on an ongoing basis, and to make appropriate adjustments to
their implementation strategies.

\(iii\) The SEA will monitor LEA activities under each of the
performance agreements, evaluate the effectiveness of each agreement,
and propose modifications to LEA activities or to the agreements, as
appropriate.

(d) **Adequacy of the Resources*.* (15 points)**

The Secretary considers the adequacy of the resources for the grant of
State-Flex authority and the proposed performance agreements. In
considering the adequacy of the resources, the Secretary considers the
extent to which---

\(i\) The funds that the SEA proposes to consolidate under the grant of
State-Flex authority are adequate to support the strategies that it
seeks to implement with these funds.

\(ii\) The funds that each LEA plans to consolidate under its respective
performance agreement are adequate to support the strategies in its
agreement.

\(iii\) The SEA will coordinate the activities supported with funds
consolidated under its grant of State-Flex authority with activities
funded with other resources to meet the purposes of the State-Flex
initiative.

\(iv\) Each LEA with a performance agreement will coordinate the
activities supported with funds consolidated under its agreement with
activities funded with other resources to meet the purposes of the
agreement.

\(v\) The costs that the SEA and affected LEAs will incur under the
grant of State-Flex authority and the proposed performance agreements
are reasonable in relationship to the goals that will be achieved.

**GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING**

**YOUR STATE-FLEX PROPOSAL**

-   Your State-Flex proposal should address all application requirements
    and selection criteria. However, in preparing your application, you
    might need to discuss additional relevant items that may be useful
    in judging the quality of the proposed agreement.

-   *We recommend that you organize information around the Application
    Requirements*

-   Coherence is very important. The selection criteria reflect the
    expectation that the proposed 5-year plan to implement the agreement
    will be directed at helping the applicant meet the needs
    demonstrated through the baseline data, and that the proposed local
    performance agreements will support the State strategies contained
    in the 5-year plan. Any State-imposed limitation on the use of Title
    V funds by LEAs should also support your State's 5-year plan under
    State-Flex.

-   Although we have not established a page limit, we encourage you to
    keep your application concise. We recommend that you use
    double-spaced pages with a 12-point or larger size font with
    one-inch margins at the top, bottom, and both sides, and to number
    pages consecutively. Any appendices to the narrative should be
    highly relevant to the proposal.

-   We recommend that you include a table of contents as part of your
    State-Flex proposal.

**STATE-FLEX APPLICATION**

**COVER PAGE**

We propose to enter into a State-Flexibility Demonstration Agreement
with the U.S. Department of Education to assist us in meeting our
State's definition of adequate yearly progress and in narrowing
achievement gaps.

SEA NAME:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

SEA ADDRESS:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

SEA CONTACT:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

SEA CONTACT TITLE:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTACT ADDRESS:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTACT
PHONE:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTACT
FAX:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTACT
E-MAIL:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Authorized SEA Representative (*Please type or print name clearly*.)

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Title:
**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Tel. #: ( ) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Fax #: ( )
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

E-Mail Address:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Signature of Authorized SEA Representative:**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Date:\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_\_\_

**SEA CONSOLIDATED FUNDS FORM**

FUNDS THE SEA PROPOSES TO CONSOLIDATE UNDER THE STATE-FLEX AGREEMENT:

+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
|    |                  |    |   | Year | Year | Year | Year | Year |
|    |                  |    |   | 1    | 2    | 3    | 4    | 5    |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| P  | ESEA Program     | F  |   | FY2  | FY2  | FY2  | FY2  | FY2  |
| ro |                  | Y2 |   | 00\_ | 00\_ | 00\_ | 00\_ | 00\_ |
| gr |                  | 00 |   |      |      |      |      |      |
| am |                  | \_ |   | Am   | Am   | Am   | Am   | Am   |
| In |                  |    |   | ount | ount | ount | ount | ount |
| cl |                  | T  |   | of   | of   | of   | of   | of   |
| ud |                  | ot |   |      |      |      |      |      |
| ed |                  | al |   | Sta  | Sta  | Sta  | Sta  | Sta  |
|    |                  | am |   | te-l | te-l | te-l | te-l | te-l |
| (  |                  | ou |   | evel | evel | evel | evel | evel |
| ch |                  | nt |   | f    | f    | f    | f    | f    |
| ec |                  | of |   | unds | unds | unds | unds | unds |
| k) |                  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  | S  |   | to   | to   | to   | to   | to   |
|    |                  | ta |   | be   | be   | be   | be   | be   |
|    |                  | te |   | cons | cons | cons | cons | cons |
|    |                  | -l |   | olid | olid | olid | olid | olid |
|    |                  | ev |   | ated | ated | ated | ated | ated |
|    |                  | el |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  | f  |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  | un |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  | ds |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Section 1004     |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (Title I, Part   |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | A)               |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Section 1202     |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (d), paragraphs  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | 4 and 5 (Reading |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | First)           |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Section          |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | 2113(a)(3)       |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (Teacher and     |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Principal        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Training and     |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Recruitment)     |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Section          |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | 2412(a)(1)       |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (Enhancing       |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Education        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Through          |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Technology)      |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Section 4112(a)  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (Safe and        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Drug-Free        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Schools and      |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Communities      |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Governor's       |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | funds)           |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | With agreement   |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | of the Governor  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Section          |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | 4112(b)(2) and   |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (c)(1)           |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (Safe and        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Drug-Free        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Schools and      |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Communities SEA  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | funds)           |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Section          |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | 4202(c)(2) and   |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (3)              |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (21^st^ Century  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Community        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Learning         |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Centers)         |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Section 5112(b)  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    |                  |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | (Title V, Part   |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | A, Innovative    |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
|    | Programs)        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+
|    | **TOTAL**        |    |   |      |      |      |      |      |
+----+------------------+----+---+------+------+------+------+------+

> **STATE-FLEX ASSURANCES**

Through our duly authorized representative, we hereby assure that:

-   We have provided parents, teachers, and representatives of LEAs and
    schools with notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed
    terms of the grant of State-Flex authority.

-   We, and the LEAs with which we enter into performance agreements,
    will use fiscal control and fund accounting procedures that will
    ensure proper disbursement of, and accounting for, Federal funds
    consolidated and used under the grant of authority.

-   We, and the LEAs with which we enter into performance agreements,
    will meet the requirements of all applicable Federal civil rights
    laws in carrying out the grant of authority and in consolidating and
    using funds under the agreement.

-   We, and the LEAs with which we enter into performance agreements,
    will provide for the equitable participation of students and
    professional staff in private schools consistent with section 9501
    of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA),
    and sections 9502, 9503, and 9504 will apply to all services and
    assistance provided with such funds in the same manner as such
    sections apply to services and assistance provided in accordance
    with section 9501.

-   We, and the LEAs with which we enter into performance agreements,
    will use funds consolidated under grant of State-Flex authority only
    to supplement the amount of funds that would, in the absence of
    those Federal funds, be made available from non-Federal sources for
    the education of students participating in programs assisted with
    the consolidated funds, and not to supplant those funds.

-   Not later than one year after the date on which we receive the grant
    of State-Flex authority, and annually thereafter during the term of
    the grant of authority, we will disseminate widely to parents and
    the general public, transmit to the U.S. Department of Education,
    distribute to print and broadcast media, and post on the Internet, a
    report that includes a detailed description of how we used the funds
    consolidated under the grant of authority to improve student
    academic achievement and reduce achievement gaps.

-   We will cooperate fully in any evaluation of our Local-Flex program
    by the US Department of Education.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Typed name of authorized SEA representative

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Signature of authorized SEA representative Date

**LOCAL PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT**

######## COVER PAGE\*

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ proposes to
enter into a local­­­­­­­­­ (name of SEA)

performance agreement with
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> (name of LEA)

to assist the parties in meeting our State's definition of adequate
yearly progress and attaining specific, measurable goals for improving
student achievement and narrowing achievement gaps.

LEA ADDRESS:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

LEA NCES ID:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(If you don't know your NCES ID number, you may search the following
website to obtain it: http://www.nces.ed.gov/)

LEA CONTACT:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTACT ADDRESS:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTACT PHONE:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTACT FAX:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

CONTACT E-MAIL:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Authorized LEA Representative (*Please type or print name clearly*.)

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Title:
**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Tel. #: ( ) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Fax #: ( )
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

E-Mail Address:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Signature of Authorized LEA Representative:**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Date:\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_/\_\_\_\_\_\_

> ***[Note]{.underline}:** You must provide this cover page for each of
> the four to 10 proposed local performance agreements that are included
> in your State-Flex proposal.*
>
> **LEA CONSOLIDATED FUNDS FORM\***

FUNDS THE LEA PROPOSES TO CONSOLIDATE UNDER ITS LOCAL PERFORMANCE
AGREEMENT:

+----+---------------+------+---+-------+------+------+------+------+
|    |               |      |   | Year  | Year | Year | Year | Year |
|    |               |      |   | 1     | 2    | 3    | 4    | 5    |
+----+---------------+------+---+-------+------+------+------+------+
| P  | Program       | FY2  |   | FY    | FY2  | FY2  | FY2  | FY2  |
| ro |               | 00\_ |   | 200\_ | 00\_ | 00\_ | 00\_ | 00\_ |
| gr |               |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
| am |               | T    |   | Fo    | For  | For  | For  | For  |
| In |               | otal |   | rmula | mula | mula | mula | mula |
| cl |               | for  |   |       |      |      |      |      |
| ud |               | mula |   | a     | am   | am   | am   | am   |
| ed |               | am   |   | mount | ount | ount | ount | ount |
|    |               | ount |   | to be | to   | to   | to   | to   |
| (  |               | rece |   | co    | be   | be   | be   | be   |
| ch |               | ived |   | nsoli | cons | cons | cons | cons |
| ec |               | by   |   | dated | olid | olid | olid | olid |
| k) |               | the  |   |       | ated | ated | ated | ated |
|    |               | LEA  |   |       |      |      |      |      |
+----+---------------+------+---+-------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Subpart 2 of  |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Part A of     |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Title II      |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    |               |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Teacher and   |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Principal     |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Training and  |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Recruiting    |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
+----+---------------+------+---+-------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Subpart 1 of  |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Part D of     |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Title II      |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    |               |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Enhancing     |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Education     |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | through       |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Technology    |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
+----+---------------+------+---+-------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Subpart 1 of  |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Part A of     |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Title IV      |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    |               |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Safe and      |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Drug-Free     |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Schools and   |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Communities   |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
+----+---------------+------+---+-------+------+------+------+------+
| -  | Subpart 1 of  |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Part A of     |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Title V       |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    |               |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Innovative    |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
|    | Programs      |      |   |       |      |      |      |      |
+----+---------------+------+---+-------+------+------+------+------+

(Note: An LEA may spend no more than 4% of the total amount of funds
that are consolidated for administering activities under local
performance agreement).

> ***\*[Note]{.underline}: You must provide this cover page for each of
> the four to 10 proposed local performance agreements that are included
> in your State-Flex proposal.***

**SECTION**

**E**

**TRANSMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS**

**AND**

**CHECKLIST**

**APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS**

We strongly encourage each potential applicant to send a notification of
its intent to apply for funding to StateFlex@ed.gov approximately one
month before the SEA intends to submit its application. The notification
of intent to apply for funding is optional and should not include
information regarding the application.

Applications Sent By Mail:

An application sent by mail must be addressed to Ms. Jill Staton, U.S.
Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education/School Support and Technology Programs, 400 Maryland Ave., SW,
Rm. 3E213, Washington, DC 20202-6400. **You must mark the package
"Attention: State-Flex Application."**

**SPECIAL NOTE:** Due to recent disruptions to normal mail delivery, we
encourage you to consider using an alternative delivery method (for
example, a commercial carrier, such as Federal Express or United Parcel
Service; U.S. Postal Service Express Mail; or a courier service) to
transmit your application for this competition to us. If you use an
alternative delivery method, please obtain the appropriate proof of
mailing noted above.

Electronic Submissions:

We encourage applicants who submit hard copies to also submit an
electronic version of their application.

If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must send
it via the Internet as a .doc file, an .rtf file, or .txt file to
<StateFlex@ed.gov>.

Applicants who plan to submit an electronic application
[only]{.underline} must also submit original hard copies of the signed
cover page and assurances form. **The Department will not consider valid
an electronic application that is submitted without an original
signature.**

#### Applications Delivered by Hand/Courier Service:

An application that is hand delivered must be taken to Ms. Jill Staton,
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education/School Support and Technology Programs, 400 Maryland Ave., SW,
Rm. 3E213, Washington, DC 20202-6400. **You must mark the package
"Attention: State-Flex Application."**

Deliveries are accepted between 8:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. (Washington, DC
time) daily, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Proper
identification is necessary to enter the building.

**[application checklist]{.smallcaps}**

**Does your application include --**

-   A completed cover page signed by an authorized SEA representative?

-   The SEA Consolidated Funds Form?

-   Statewide baseline academic data and LEA achievement profiles?

-   A proposed five-year plan that -

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Describes the SEA's strategies for consolidating and using State
    level funds under State-Flex

-   Describes how the local performance agreements support the
    State-Flex proposal

-   Describes any limitations that the SEA will impose on the use of
    Title V funds by LEAs, and what the SEA intends to achieve through
    these limitations

*and*

-   Addresses the selection criteria?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Proposed local performance agreements with 4 to 10 LEAs, at least
    half of which are with LEAs with 20% or higher poverty according to
    Census data, each of which includes:

-   A completed cover page signed by an authorized LEA representative

-   The LEA Consolidated Funds Form

-   A proposed five-year plan that contains-

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Baseline academic data

-   Specific, measurable education goals

-   Strategies for meeting the goals

-   A description of how the LEA will meet the general purposes of the
    consolidated programs?

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   The assurances page signed by an authorized SEA representative?

**Did you --**

-   Provide one (1) original plus three (3) copies of the application
    (for a total of **4** copies)?

-   Include **"Attention: State-Flex Application"** on the cover and
    envelope containing your proposed agreement?

**SECTION**

**F**

**PROCEDURES FOR SELECTING**

**STATE-FLEX PARTICIPANTS**

**PROCEDURES FOR SELECTING**

**STATE-FLEX PARTICIPANTS**

-   We will acknowledge the receipt of your application by e-mail. If
    you do not receive a notification of application receipt within 15
    days from the date of mailing or hand delivery of your application,
    you should send an e-mail to StateFlex@ed.gov.

-   We will conduct a peer review of each complete application that is
    submitted to the Department. By statute, peer reviewers will be
    individuals who represent parents, teachers, SEAs, LEAs, and who are
    familiar with educational standards, assessments, accountability,
    curriculum, instruction and staff development, and other diverse
    educational needs of students.

-   Reviewers will review applications for the State-Flex program based
    on the selection criteria in this package.

-   We expect to negotiate an actual agreement between a participating
    SEA and the Department. The agreement will essentially incorporate
    the State-Flex proposal and specify the specific, measurable
    educational goals that the applicant proposes to meet through the
    grant of State-Flex authority.

-   We intend to review applications within 60 days of receipt of an
    application.

**SECTION**

**G**

**ESTIMATED PUBLIC**

**REPORTING BURDEN**

[ESTIMATED PUBLIC REPORTING BURDEN]{.smallcaps}

# 

# Paperwork Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless such
collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control
number for this information collection is 1810-0660. The time required
to complete this information collection is estimated to average 640
hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search
existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review
the information collection. **If you have any comments concerning the
accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form,
please write to:** U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.
20202-4651. **If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of
your individual submission of this form, write directly to:** Jill
Staton, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education, School Support and Technology Programs, 400 Maryland Avenue,
S.W., Room 3E213, Washington D.C. 20202-6400