U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced that he will host a Supplemental Education Services Conference: Serving all Schoolchildren and Increasing Options for Parents, on June 13 and 14, 2002, in Washington, D.C.

"Since the day this powerful new law was signed, I've been committed to working in partnership with state leaders to equip them with the information and resources they need to help implement the No Child Left Behind Act," Paige said. "This conference will provide states with the critical information they need to help implement this important provision that gives children in failing schools the extra help they need."

The No Child Left Behind Act requires that options for supplemental education services be offered to low-income children in schools that fail to meet state academic achievement goals for three consecutive years, beginning with the 2002-2003 school year.

School districts that are required to provide supplemental services must:

• annually notify parents of the availability of those services, including the identity and qualifications of approved providers and a description of the services they provide;

• help parents select a provider, if such help is requested; and,

• enter into an agreement with a provider for each student that includes goals and a timetable for improving the student's achievement, regular progress reports and a provision for termination if the provider fails to meet the goals, timetables and payment terms.

Providers with a "demonstrated record of effectiveness," including non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations or for-profit entities, are eligible providers of supplemental services. The provider must ensure that the services provided are in line with the district's instructional program and the state's academic standards.

At the conference, state superintendents and representatives from local education agencies (LEAs) and potential non-profit and for-profit providers will receive information about the supplemental services requirements, including preliminary guidance from the department.

The Secretary plans to gather a strong group of presenters for the conference, including top federal officials, state and local education officials who currently operate programs, for-profit and non-profit service providers, and leading researchers knowledgeable about successful practices and accountability systems in a supplemental education services environment.

Conference attendees also will have an opportunity to participate in a hands-on review and discussion of requirements and suggested delivery timelines for important areas of responsibility for state education agencies, LEAs and service providers.

The requirements to be covered include:

• identification of students eligible for services;
• notification of parents on eligibility and availability of services and providers;
• development of eligibility criteria for providers;
• development of model provider contracts and payment options;
• development of performance and accountability criteria; and,
• issues critical to the successful implementation of programs.

Information about registration for the conference will sent to state education officials and will be available soon on the department's No Child Left Behind Web site at: http://www.nochildleftbehind.gov/

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