Title I and School Improvement

Tucson Unified School District

1010 E. Tenth Street

Tucson, AZ 85719

520-225-6290

August 18, 2011

Dear Parent/Legal Guardian:

Your child attends a school that has not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two years in a row. Federal law requires that any school supported by federal Title I funds provide parents and students with:

School Choice: Due to your school’s Title I School Improvement status, your child will be eligible to attend one of two selected schools NOT identified for school improvement. If you elect to transfer your child to one of these schools, TUSD will provide free bus transportation if the student lives at least 1 ½ miles from the school and no public bus service is available. Parents choosing to transfer their child have the following choice of schools: Elementary Schools: New McCorkle or Wheeler Elementary. Middle Schools: Gridley Middle School or Magee Middle School.

Attached is information about these schools and how they compare to other schools in the district. If you want your child transferred to one of these schools, please complete the enclosed form as soon as possible and allow time for transportation routes to be determined. Contact School Community Services at 225-6400, should you need assistance in selecting a school.

Free Tutoring: If your child remains at his/her school, he/she may be eligible to receive free tutoring to improve reading or math skills from an approved state Supplemental Educational Service (SES) provider. You will have the chance to meet the tutoring companies and choose one for your child during the first quarter of the year. If you have questions regarding the SES tutoring services, please contact Denice Contreras at 225-6290 for information about your options.

Continuous Improvement Plan: Your child’s school has created a continuous improvement plan with strategies included to address the reasons for not making AYP. This plan also states that:

· All teachers will participate in professional development in mathematics and reading instruction.

· Interventions will be implemented to assist students in mastery of state standards in mathematics and reading.

· Student data and progress will be monitored regularly throughout the school year to ensure mastery of state standards.

· Parent involvement strategies will be implemented to strengthen the partnership between home and school to improve student achievement.

The table below details the AYP determination for Mansfeld Middle School

Our school is currently identified to be in Title I School Improvement Year 1

AYP Determination	Yes or No
Met 95% Percent Tested in Math?	Yes
Met 95% Percent Tested in Reading?	Yes
Met Annual Measurable Objectives in Math?	No
Met Annual Measurable Objectives in Reading?	Yes
Met 90% K-8 Attendance Rate?	Yes

The following chart provides a comparison of our school to other elementary or secondary schools in the district and in the state as required by federal law:

Grade	Mansfeld	TUSD	Arizona Schools	Grade	Mansfeld	TUSD	Arizona Schools
	% Proficient in Math	% Proficient in Math	% Proficient in Math		% Proficient in Reading	% Proficient in Reading	% Proficient in Reading
6	30%	39%	59%	6	72%	71%	81%
7	36%	31%	61%	7	74%	72%	82%
8	43%	47%	54%	8	62%	60%	71%

We encourage you to become involved by participating in the development of your school’s continuous improvement plan. Please contact the school principal at 225-1800 if you are interested in being part of a committee or would like more information about the school. As a reminder, the Title I annual meeting will be held during the first quarter. We encourage you to attend. The instructional staff will be available to answer questions during this meeting.

Most sincerely,

John Pedicone, Ph.D.

John Pedicone, Ph.D., Superintendent

Tucson Unified School District