Office of Accountability

Q-1:    Will districts and schools be sent templates for their plans this year?
A-1:   The DCIP and SCEP templates can be found at 
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/accountability/forms.html

Q-2:    Are the DCIP/SCEP sent in separately from the consolidated application?
A-2:    The DCIP/SCEP are due October 31, 2012. The Consolidated Application was due August 31, 2012.

Q-3:  To clarify, if a district developed a CEP, QIP, DINI Plan for implementation this year, those would be used to create the DCIP and SCEP using the new form? 
A-3:    Yes, those report recommendations can be used to develop the DCIP/SCEP. However, we also encourage the districts and schools to analyze their most recent data and incorporate any findings from that analysis in creating the plans.

Q-4:    What is the turnaround time between submission of DCIPs and SCEPs--and when LEAs will receive approval of their plans?
A-4:    It all depends on the complexity, quality and quantity of the DCIP/SCEPs and when they are received.  It will vary by district and submission.

Q-5:   How can we complete the DCIP and SCEP using the Diagnostic Tools by October 31, 2012 if the training is not until November 13, 2012?
A-5:    There was no expectation that LEAs would be able to use the Diagnostic Tool reports for the 2012-13 DCIP/SCEP.   As indicated in the DCIP/SCEP directions, the 2012-13 DCIP/SCEP must be based on the findings and recommendations contained in the most recent School Quality Review (SQR), External School Curriculum Audit (ESCA)/School Curriculum Readiness Audit (SCRA),  Joint Intervention Team (JIT) , and/or Persistently Lowest Achieving (PLA) School reports.

Q-6:    We are a focus district with 12 schools; four of our 12 schools are identified as focus schools.  Does our DCIP plan need to include activities for all 12 schools or just the 4 identified schools?
A-6:    This answer depends on the needs of the district and schools. For example, if a district conducts a teacher survey and after analyzing the teacher survey data the district concludes that communication with teachers is weak, the district may have an activity targeted at improving communication with teachers district-wide.  If a district does a data analysis and realizes School X is struggling with ELA academic achievement, the district may have activities targeted at increasing academic achievement specifically in School X.

Q-7:    Will the diagnostic tool be used to analyze the plans?
A-7:    Yes

Q-8:    The List of Allowable Activities in Section B states that the professional development activities are New York State sponsored. Can districts attend BOCES or other professional development activities?
A-8:    Yes, if there are currently no New York State sponsored PD activities that meet the description for that activity then an equivalent BOCES or other PD activity is allowed.

Q-9:    In the completion of the DCIP, does each tenet have to be addressed if not relevant to plan?
A-9:    It is not necessary to address all of the tenets. The plan should be created according to the prioritized needs of the district and schools.

Q-10:    Do districts need SED approval of their DCIPs to move forward? Or can they begin to act on the plans they submit to NYSED by Oct 31?
A-10:    No, LEAs may begin to implement activities on the Allowable List as soon as they submit their complete DCIP/SCEPs.  Activities funded with grants require prior approval, so LEAs should be sure the activity is allowable for the fund source before they encumber funds.

Q-11:    Are there any SED recommended needs assessment to thoroughly complete the DCIP?
A-11:    No because the exact components of a needs assessment will depend on a school or districts particular context.

Additional questions related to training and future NYSED activities will be added as soon as more information is available.  Please check back for updates.

Answer:

1. Question: What is the turnaround time between submission of DCIPs and SCEPs--and when LEAs will receive approval of their plans?

Answer: It all depends on the complexity, quality and quantity of the DCIP/SCEPs and when they are received.  It will vary by district and submission.

1. Question: How can we complete the DCIP and SCEP using the Diagnostic Tools by October 31, 2012 if the training is not until November 13, 2012?

Answer:   There was no expectation that LEAs would be able to use the Diagnostic Tool reports for the 2012-13 DCIP/SCEP.   As indicated in the DCIP/SCEP directions, the 2012-13 DCIP/SCEP must be based on the findings and recommendations contained in the most recent School Quality Review (SQR), External School Curriculum Audit (ESCA)/School Curriculum Readiness Audit (SCRA),  Joint Intervention Team (JIT) , and/or Persistently Lowest Achieving (PLA) School reports.

1. Question: We are a focus district with 12 schools; four of our 12 schools are identified as focus schools.  Does our DCIP plan need to include activities for all 12 schools or just the 4 identified schools?

Answer: This answer depends on the needs of the district and schools. For example, if a district conducts a teacher survey and after analyzing the teacher survey data the district concludes that communication with teachers is weak, the district may have an activity targeted at improving communication with teachers district-wide.  If a district does a data analysis and realizes School X is struggling with ELA academic achievement, the district may have activities targeted at increasing academic achievement specifically in School X.

1. Question: Will the diagnostic tool be used to analyze the plans?

Answer: Yes

1. Question: The List of Allowable Activities in Section B states that the professional development activities are New York State sponsored. Can districts attend BOCES or other professional development activities?

Answer: Yes, if there are currently no New York State sponsored PD activities that meet the description for that activity then an equivalent BOCES or other PD activity is allowed. 

1. Question: In the completion of the DCIP, does each tenet have to be addressed if not relevant to plan?

Answer: It is not necessary to address all of the tenets. The plan should be created according to the prioritized needs of the district and schools.

1. Question: Do districts need SED approval of their DCIPs to move forward? Or can they begin to act on the plans they submit to NYSED by Oct 31?

Answer: No, LEAs may begin to implement activities on the Allowable List as soon as they submit their complete DCIP/SCEPs.  Activities funded with grants require prior approval, so LEAs should be sure the activity is allowable for the fund source before they encumber funds. 

1.  Question: Are there any SED recommended needs assessment to thoroughly complete the DCIP?

Answer: No because the exact components of a needs assessment will depend on a school or districts particular context.