The U.S. Department of Education today issued guidance that further clarifies the roles of states and districts in implementing supplemental educational services under No Child Left Behind, and features ideas for connecting parents to supplemental educational services (SES) providers, who offer free tutoring and other academic enrichment activities to students.

"This updated guidance provides important information for states, districts, and providers about their roles and responsibilities for implementing and participating in supplemental educational services," Secretary Spellings said. "We hope it enables more families to access high-quality supplemental educational services programs, and helps schools across the country close the achievement gap."

The guidance provides new information, as well as clarifications and modifications to previously included topics. For instance, new information clarifies the steps that states and districts must take when a district is identified as "in need of improvement" and can no longer be a service provider; and revised language makes clear that some teachers can be hired by SES providers, even if they work in a school or school district that is in need of improvement.

The updated guidance also includes a "model" parent letter, which was added to help districts inform parents of the opportunity to enroll their children in free tutoring services.

New information also was added about the use of incentives by providers and how a school district can fairly select providers to work in school buildings, as well as how school districts must spend the full 20 percent of the amount equal to their federal Title I, Part A funding on supplemental educational services and school choice if the demand exists.

The guidance was last updated in August 2003, and since then the Department has made several important policy decisions to address concerns from states, school districts, parents and academic service providers. The Department expects these changes to help all participants in the program work together toward the common goal of helping students achieve to higher standards.

The entire Supplemental Educational Services Non-Regulatory Guidance is available at http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/suppsvcsguid.doc.

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