Florida Department of Education - Bureau of Federal Educational Programs
Conference Call with the NCLB Committee of Practitioners
November 4, 2011  10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. EST

Conference Call Topic 	Meeting Minutes	
Welcome and Introductions		
ESEA Waiver	Dr. Michael Grego led the conference call and provided additional information regarding FDOE’s four leading principles, specifically Principle #2 “Sate-Developed, Differentiated Recognition, Accountability, and Support”, which includes the Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO).  FDOE is proposing six AMOs:
1.	School Grades
2.	Adequate Progress of the Lowest 25% of Students
3.	Graduation Rate for High Schools
4.	Scale Adjustment Objective (adjust school grade if all grades are achieving A & B)
5.	Accelerated Courses and Programs
6.	Comparison of Florida’s Students with Students Nation-Wide
By November 14, FDOE’s proposal, including the four principles, must be submitted to the United States Department of Education (ED).  The waivers are not the leading concern at this time because the principles must be strong and sound in order for ED to approve FDOE’s plan.  The waivers are not in the fore-front of current discussions because FDOE will be granted the flexibility to determine how the requirements will be handled and these discussions will be held at a later time.
The following comments/questions were asked to Dr. Grego.
•	How will AMOs and schools grades be linked together?
•	How will subgroups be included in the school grades?
•	LEAs do not want to lose the ability to track improvements of subgroups.  Will that ability still exist under FDOE’s proposal?
•	Total proficiency should include all students and subgroups.
•	Will state statute be overridden due to the changes with the Waivers?
•	Will the AMOs include only Mathematics and Reading, or will other subject areas be included?
•	What funds are used for the recognition program?
Prior to this conference call, the CoP met and reviewed the Flexibility Waivers and presented a summary chart of their conversations to FDOE, including Clarifying Questions, Potential Impact, Recommendations, and Next Steps.  
Jessica Swere summarized the CoP’s recommendations for each Flexibility Waiver by stating which Waivers the CoP was in favor of.
Regarding Flexibility Wavier #2, it was shared that SES and Choice should not be a mandated, but these NCLB choices should be optional for LEAs to implement.  Additional information was provided by other members of the CoP during the call.  In an effort to save time, the CoP was asked to compile a list of suggested solutions for this Flexibility Waiver by next week, including a plan that includes SES providers and one that does not. 
Please be reminded that the information share with the CoP should remain confidential.  	
Next Schedule Meeting	December 15, 2011 @ 9:00 a.m. EST