LES Title I

The Baldwin-Whitehall School District, and the parents of the students participating in activities, services, and programs funded by Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (participating children), agree that these compacts outline how the parents, the entire school staff, and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the State’s high standards. The school-parent compacts are in effect during school year – 2024-2025.

August 2024
Dear Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s):  

Your child attends either Whitehall, McAnnulty, or R. A. Lutz Elementary School, which receives Federal Title I funds to assist students in meeting state achievement standards.  Throughout the school year, we will be providing you with important information about this law and your child’s education.  This letter lets you know about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child. 

In the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, we are very proud of our teachers and feel they are ready for the coming school year and are prepared to give your child a high-quality education. As a Title I school, we must meet federal regulations related to teacher qualifications as defined in ESEA. These regulations allow you to learn more about your child’s teachers’ training and credentials. We are happy to provide this information to you. At any time, you may ask:

• Whether the teacher met state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching,
• Whether the teacher received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived, and
• What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration.

You may also ask whether your child receives help from a paraprofessional.  If your child receives this assistance, we can provide you with information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications. 

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which was signed into law in December 2015 and reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1956 (ESEA) includes additional right-to-know requests.  At any time, parents and family members can request:

• Information on policies regarding student participation in assessments and procedures for opting out, and
• Information on required assessments that include
  • subject matter tested,
  • purpose of the test,
  • source of the requirement (if applicable),
  • amount of time it takes students to complete the test, and
  • time and format of disseminating results.

Our staff is committed to helping your child develop the academic knowledge and critical thinking he/she needs to succeed in school and beyond. That commitment includes making sure that all of our teachers and paraprofessionals meet applicable Pennsylvania state requirements.  

If you have any questions about your child’s assignment to a teacher or paraprofessional, please contact:

McAnnulty – Mrs. Fusco, 412-714-2020, or pfusco@bwschools.net

Whitehall – Mrs. Wessel, 412-885-7525, or hwessel@bwschools.net

R. A. Lutz – Mrs. Rader, 412-885-7535, or lrader@bwschools.net

Sincerely,

Andrea Huffman
Director of Instruction and Learning

Introduction
On December 10, 2015 a new Federal education law was signed by the President. This law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires schools that receive federal Title IA funding adopt written procedures for resolving complaints filed.

Definition
A “complaint” is a written, signed statement filed by an individual or an organization. It must include:

a) A statement that a school has violated a requirement of federal statute or regulation that applies to Title IA.

b) The facts on which the statement is based.

c) Information on any discussions, meetings or correspondence with a school regarding the complaint.

Complaint Resolution Procedures
1)      Referral – Complaints against schools should be referred to the District’s Federal Programs Office:    

Andrea Huffman, Director of Instruction and Learning
4900 Curry Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
412-884-6300 x 7261

2) Notice to School – The Federal Programs Office will notify the school Superintendent and Principal that a complaint has been received.  A copy of the complaint will be given to the Superintendent and Principal with directions given for the Principal to respond.

3) Investigation – After receiving the Principal’s response, the Federal Programs Office, along with the Superintendent, will determine whether further investigation is necessary.  If necessary, the Federal Programs Director and the Superintendent may do an onsite investigation at the school.

4) Opportunity to Present Evidence – The Federal Programs Director may provide for the complainant and the Principal to present evidence.

5) Report and Recommended Resolution – Once the Federal Programs Director has completed the investigation and the taking of evidence, a report will be prepared with a recommendation for resolving the complaint. The report will give the name of the party bringing the complaint, the nature of the complaint, a summary of the investigation, the recommended resolution and the reasons for the recommendation. Copies of the report will be issued to all parties involved. The recommended resolution will become effective upon issuance of the report.

6) Follow up – The Federal Programs Director and the Superintendent will ensure that the resolution of the complaint is implemented.

7) Time Limit – The period between the Federal Programs Director receiving the complaint and resolution of the complaint shall not exceed sixty (60) calendar days.

8) Right to Appeal – Either party may appeal the final resolution to the Department of Education. Appeals should be addressed as follows:

Ms. Susan McCrone, Chief
Division of Federal Programs
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 7th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126‐0333