AAV of Item 12 Attachment 1

This page is the Accessible Alternative Version of Item 12 Attachment 1 from the California State Board of Education Meeting Agenda for May 2014. The scanned Item 12 Attachment 1 (PDF) version is considered to be the official version of the document.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

April 9, 2014

The Honorable Tom Torlakson
State Superintendent of Education
California Department of Education
1430 N. Street, Suite 4309
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Superintendent Torlakson,

I am pleased to approve California's application for fiscal year (FY) 2013 funds under the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program, authorized by Section 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended as well as California's request for an extension of the period of availability for FY 2013 funds through September 30, 2017.If California decides to make any significant changes to its FY 2013 SIG application, those changes will need to be approved by the Department.

Secretary Duncan and I view turning around our Nation's persistently lowest-achieving schools as one of the most important challenges facing our educational system. I hope the FY 2013 SIG funds will enable you and your local educational agencies to continue to support this effort.

I appreciate the work you and your team are doing to meet the challenges of turning around your State's persistently lowest-achieving schools. California's students will benefit greatly from your focus and advocacy. We will continue to provide the assistance and support you need to implement the SIG interventions as effectively as possible. If you have any questions concerning the award notice for your State's SIG grant, please do not hesitate to contact Janine Rudder (Janine.Rudder@ed.gov), Program Officer in the Office of School Turnaround.

Sincerely,

/s/

Deborah S. Delisle
Assistant Secretary