Monitoring Monitoring LEA LEA

McKinney-Vento McKinney-Vento ProgramsPrograms

State Coordinators MeetingFebruary 2009

Arlington, Virginia

Find a partner.Find a partner.Answer the following Answer the following questions:questions:

What is monitoring?

Why monitor?

What is monitoring?What is monitoring? Monitor: to watch, keep track of,

or check usually for a special purpose (Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary)

Why monitor?Why monitor?Because we have to: (statutory

requirements):◦ Section 722(g)(2) of the ESEA State plans for

the education of homeless children and youth requires the State to ensure that LEAs comply with the requirements of the McKinney-Vento ESEA. Section 80.40 of the EDGAR (Education Department General Administrative Regs) further requires that the State, as the grantee, is responsible for monitoring grant and subgrant-supported activities to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements.

 Because it improves programs

Who gets monitored in your Who gets monitored in your state?state?Part of all title programs – on site,

desktop, self evaluation based on criteria (flag concerns), 5 year cycle (FL)

McKinney and nonsubgrantee – included in Title I monitoring, extra detail for grantees (cross train monitors) (KY)

Network with other title specialistsEvery grantee every year (GA)WA – reminder of monitoring and

requirements each year

When does monitoring When does monitoring occur?occur?(frequency)(frequency)Annually – small # LEAsSubgrants yearly; nongrantees 3

year (SC)Three year cycle; nongrantees as

possible MTMany grantees annually5 year cycle with other federal

programs

How is monitoring How is monitoring implemented?implemented?Structure/system? MD – advance

notice, complete template and return to SC; explore any questions at visit; complete report and submit VT; consol applic; pre-site submission; on site (reduces time on site; KY: grantee meetings TA to ease monitoring; FL – on line system

LEA selection? See who is monitored (WA – “big 4 annually” + indicators)

Follow up actions? FL – system improvement plan

Vermont’s MonitoringVermont’s MonitoringTargeting:

◦Liaisons◦Subgrants◦Embedded in Other Monitoring◦Ongoing Monitoring of Performance

Purposes◦To meet federal requirements◦To educate liaisons and subgrants◦To gather feedback on TA and PD

needs

VT: Homeless Education VT: Homeless Education LiaisonsLiaisonsSurvey Monkey FormatIncludes overview of liaison

responsibilities in McKinney-Vento

Solicits feedback on TA and PD needs of individual liaisons

Guides work of the Vermont Homeless Children and Youth Project staff

VT: SubgrantsVT: SubgrantsOn-site monitoringMonitoring tool incorporates

federal monitoring contentSurvey monkey end-of-year data

gathering

VT: Embedded MonitoringVT: Embedded MonitoringTitle I on-site monitoring toolFeedback from Title I staff to

Homeless CoordinatorCoordinated compliance follow-

up

VT: Ongoing MonitoringVT: Ongoing MonitoringFunding to purchase time from

Surrogate Parent Program staffCreation of Vermont Homeless

Children and Youth ProjectOn-site orientation and technical

assistanceOn-going monitoring of quality of

services in schools

Rejoin your partner.Rejoin your partner.Brainstorm components to

include in LEA monitoringWhich are most critical? How did

you decide?

Review your state’s Review your state’s monitoring protocol (or monitoring protocol (or one being shared) one being shared)

Be ready to report out Be ready to report out observations/commentsobservations/comments

Special issuesSpecial issuesNumber of LEAs/large area to

coverBalancing findings and technical

assistance“Buy-in” from other SEA

departments

Top Ten Reasons to Top Ten Reasons to Monitor:Monitor:

10. You love to drive 200 miles or more in a day.

9. Your state’s travel regulations are a breeze to follow.

8. Hotels that meet your state rate are so luxurious.

7. Visiting the Bates Motel brings back fond memories.

6. Ah, such fine dining options are available.

Top Ten Reasons to Monitor: Top Ten Reasons to Monitor: (continued)(continued)5. You need a break from your

significant other. 4. You need a break from your kids.3. On the road, somebody else makes

the bed.2. Talking face-to-face beats email

and phone calls.1. Bottom line: you have an

opportunity to improve programs and, therefore, the lives of our children