EIP: Legal Issues and Practical Strategies -- Advancing Education, Inc.

Description

As a part of the state’s education efforts, Governor Roy Barnes and Georgia General Assembly have focused considerable attention on the improvement of both the learning environment and academic achievement of students, particularly low-performing students. The reform legislation created the Early Intervention Program (EIP) which is designed to address the academic deficiencies of students in grades K-5 who are performing below grade level. As companions to these statutes, the State Board of Education has revised numerous existing rules and initiated new rules to further interpret state statute to address the needs of at-risk elementary aged students. Also, the Office of Education Accountability has created identification and exit criteria for EIP services. Additionally, the reform statutes included other provisions which impact low-performing, elementary aged students, i.e. promotion, retention, and placement criteria and funding for additional instructional time for students. Additionally, the decisions of the Implementation Task Force and the pertinent rules of each agency are footnoted with websites. Sam Harben & Phil Hartley, Harben & Hartley, Gainesville, analyzed the legislation and its impact on Georgia’s schools; Debbie Bass, Director of Elementary Education, Clayton County Schools, assisted in the development of the Handbook.

Topics

EIP Statute

EIP State Board Rule

EIP Guidelines

EIP Checklists. EIP Placement Procedures

EIP Exit Procedures

Definition of “Below Grade Level”

Assessment of Students

Documentation of Placement and Exit Criteria

Monitoring Student Academic Gains

Configuring the EIP Program and Classrooms

Establishing EIP Models

Planning for Instruction in the EIP Classroom

Instructional Strategies for Students Performing Below grade level

Involving Parents

Parent Survey

Over 20 Forms for use by principals, teachers and central office staff.

Checklists, timelines, and examples.

About the Authors

Sam Harben and Phil Hartley, Harben & Hartley author publications from Advancing Education, Inc. Their firm represents over 100 school systems and RESAs. Harben & Hartley serves as General Counsel to Georgia School Boards Association. They also work closely with the Georgia School Superintendents Association and the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. Donna O'Neal, President of Advancing Education, Inc., edits the publications.