Breakout Session: ESEA Flex Waivers: Turning Around Low-Performing Schools

Thursday July 30, 2015
3:00 - 4:15 PM
Washington Room 4

In 2012, in the absence of a reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and in support of local and state education reform, ED approved flexibility from specific NCLB mandates for 42 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. In December of 2014, as a result of the continued absence of a reauthorized ESEA and expiration of the 2012 waivers, ED announced a second opportunity for states to apply for flexibility. This session will provide an overview of the status of the 2014 waiver requests from states. Included in the presentation will be highlights of state progress to date in implementation of: 1) transitioning students, teachers, and schools to a system aligned with college- and career-ready standards for all students; 2) developing differentiated accountability systems; and 3) undertaking reforms to support effective classroom instruction and school leadership.

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Handouts

Presenters
Marcus Cheeks

 

Marcus E. Cheeks is currently serving as the Director of Federal Programs at the Mississippi Department of Education. He was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and currently resides in Canton. Mr. Cheeks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tougaloo College, a Master of Science Degree from Jackson State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Mississippi (having completed 39 hours).  Mr. Cheeks served as an Officer in the Mississippi Army National Guard for eleven years. 

 

 

 

Mr. Cheeks has an extensive background in working with high-risk/low-income youth and utilizing federal programs to address their academic and social needs.  He has worked as a Teacher/Counselor to high-risk youth via the Tougaloo College Upward Bound Math & Science Center, where he formerly served as Assistant Director.   

 

 

 

In December of 2003, Mr. Cheeks began serving as the State Coordinator for Rural and Low-Income Schools in the Office of Innovative Support with the Mississippi Department of Education.  Mr. Cheeks was promoted to the position of State Title I Director in August of 2005 where he supervised six Title I Specialists and managed Title I, Part A; Title I, Part D; Subparts I and II and several subordinate programs identified under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. 

 

 

 

Mr. Cheeks was appointed interim Director of Federal Programs in March 2014 where he became responsible for a combined annual budget of 245 million dollars. During this time, Mr. Cheeks and his staff embarked upon a robust plan designed to enhance communications and streamline office procedures.  The State Board of Education appointed Mr. Cheeks as the State Director of Federal Programs during it March 2015 board meeting where he and his staff became responsible for ensuring federal funding are utilized in local educational agencies (LEAs) across this state, as a supplemental means of supporting the educational needs of academically disadvantaged children. As a result, Mr. Cheeks has the opportunity to implement some of the most innovative changes known to federal programs.  The implementation of a new online application system, MCAPS (Mississippi Comprehensive Automated Performance-based System), the development and release of a new Regional Service model designed to centralize district support into one common thread, and create a laser focus on the alignment of resources for student needs through the school effectiveness review process (SERP).       

 

 

 

Mr. Cheeks has served as an active member of the National Title I Association (NASTID) for nine years holding the office of Vice-President in 2014 and in February 2015, Mr. Cheeks began his one-year tenure as NASTID President.  Mr. Cheeks is also an ordained minister and has served for the past nine years as the Pastor of True Light Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, MS.  There he oversees 175 members and 12 ministries. 

 

 

 
Roberta Miceli

 

Roberta Miceli is the Deputy Director for the Office of State Support at the United States Department of Education (ED). In her role at ED, she has primary responsibility for implementation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for the 50 states, territories and outlying areas. 

 

 

 

Prior to coming to ED, Roberta held leadership positions for The Miceli Group, a small, woman and minority-owned educational consulting business, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Department of Defense Overseas Schools (DoDEA) and local school divisions.

 

 

 

Contact Information: roberta@ed.gov or (202) 288-4770

 
Debbie Montoya

Debbie Montoya is currently the Director of Priority Schools at the New Mexico Public Education (NM PED) Department.  Debbie has worked in the field of education for the past 20 years as a teacher, school and district administrator and SEA level Administrator.  Her role at the NM PED is to direct SEA staff in accomplishing the ESEA Flex Waiver responsibilities: Principle 2 and to develop, organize and implement the New Mexico School Grade Accountability System designed to outline requirements and supports for all schools in the State based on their school grade and status.  Debbie is part of the Senior Team at NM PED and is a participant at the University of Virginia’s School Turnaround Program for SEA leaders.

 
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