Training Provider Questions
Is homework considered to be instructional time?
No. Senate Bill (SB) 352 requires that the training program be conducted for no fewer than 200 hours; in order to be consistent with this, it is important that the actual instruction be at least 200 hours. Because the time involved in completing homework assignments will vary from person to person, and because such assignments are typically not part of the actual instruction, homework is not considered to be instructional time. That does not mean, of course, that homework and other out-of-class assignments are not valuable training tools.
How do you want to see the information in our application? Is there a particular format that you are looking for?
Any format is acceptable, so long as the information presented clearly demonstrates that the curriculum being offered is consistent with the State Board of Education (SBE)-approved curriculum, and that the minimum number of hours is being met for each category. Lesson plans could meet this requirement. It is also critical for the agency or organization to show that it is capable of delivering such a program.
We are interested in becoming a state-approved training provider. What happens if we miss the deadline for approval by the SBE at its May meeting?
Prospective providers may apply on an ongoing basis. The SBE meets every other month, so a provider who misses the application deadline for the May SBE meeting could then be considered for approval by the SBE at its July meeting.
The subjects are grouped under individual headings. Must the instruction be presented in the same distinct modules and include only the topics indicated?
No. Instruction may cover any training program subject in an integrated way. For example, when discussing “Revenue Limits,” which falls under the subject “School Finance, Accounting, and Auditing,” the discussion might also address charter school general purpose funding. Revenue limits and charter school general purpose funding are closely related topics, and the time devoted to such charter school issues can count toward the minimum hours of instruction for the “Charter Schools” subject.
Another example is the subject “Leadership,” which must be taught for a minimum of 20 hours. However, a provider does not necessarily need to offer a separate course on “Leadership.” The curriculum may include instruction about leadership within various courses, as long as the total number of hours of “Leadership” instruction is at least 20 hours.Training Candidate Questions
Who is considered to be an “eligible training candidate,” and can charter schools also apply for the training?
According to SB 352, an eligible training candidate is “a person who is employed on a full-time basis as a chief business or financial officer by a school district or county office of education, or a person who is nominated as a candidate for training by a district or a county office of education.” Because direct-funded charter schools are considered to be school districts for the purpose of this legislation, they may apply on behalf of their selected training candidates. Training candidates from locally funded charter schools may be nominated for training by their authorizing school district or county office of education.
What kind of eligibility priority is being given to local educational agency (LEA) training applicants?
SB 352 requires that priority be given to training candidates from LEAs that are currently operating with a state-appointed administrator or trustee, or from districts that have received a negative or qualified budget certification within the past five fiscal years. There are currently 185 school districts that meet the eligibility priority criteria.
If the cost of the training exceeds $3,000, will the state reimburse the LEA for the amount over $3,000?
No. SB 352 provides incentive funding in the amount of $3,000 per training candidate. Any training costs in excess of the $3,000 incentive funding are the responsibility of the LEA or the trainee, depending on their arrangement.
Can a training candidate enroll in one of the state-qualified training programs without SBE approval if the candidate or LEA is willing to pay the cost?
Yes. Approval by the SBE is for the purposes of receiving incentive funding. Interested trainees may still pursue training directly through the training providers if they or their employer is willing to pay the cost.
Can an LEA retroactively nominate a candidate for training that began prior to the SBE approval of state-qualified training providers?
No. LEAs cannot receive incentive funding for candidates already attending a training program that was not approved by the SBE until after their training began. For example, May 11, 2006, which is the official date the SBE approved the first state-qualified training providers, would be the earliest date that training could commence.
Can an LEA nominate a candidate that is not necessarily employed by the LEA (e.g., an employee of the management company of a charter school)?
Yes. However, because the LEA must nominate the candidate and sign the assurances, it will be the LEA that is financially responsible in the event the training candidate fails to provide less than two years of continuous service to a state public school following completion of the training or if the candidate fails to complete the full training program.
Some training dates are still being finalized by the providers. Can we nominate a candidate for a training program with a tentative date for commencement of the training?
Yes. For purposes of having a nominated candidate approved by the SBE, you may list a tentative date for commencement of the training program. However, you will need this information and proof of enrollment prior to the LEA receiving any incentive funding.
