County Office of Education Visits/Audits
Q1. How does a county office of education determine which schools are considered "under review" and subject to state or federal intervention programs?
A1. As part of the Williams settlement, Education Code Section 1240(i)(3) provides that schools currently "under review" through a state or federal intervention program are excluded from the county superintendent's review concerning the sufficiency of textbooks. At this time, the California Department of Education (CDE) is pursuing regulations with the State Board of Education to clarify the law and define the phrase "under review" and the specific group of schools that will be included and schools that will be excluded from the review.
Q2. Do the unannounced visits have to happen within the 120-day timeframe? And when are the visits supposed to start?
A2. County offices of education must start their visits as soon as the funding is received. However, the visits do not have to be completed within the 120-day timeframe.
Q3. When will the funding be released to the counties?
A3. The funding for the county offices of education will be released on or about December 15, 2004.
School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
Q1. What schools must comply with the changes to the SARC?
A1. All California schools that otherwise are required to prepare and disseminate a SARC must comply with the changes mandated by the Williams settlement and Senate Bill (SB) 550.
Q2. Is there a deadline by which districts must complete the SARC?
A2. Local educational agencies are required to prepare and disseminate new SARCs sometime during the period of November through May of each school year.
