If you have ever wondered what supplemental educational services are, then you're in the right place.
It's not just about finding out how they work, however.
The term supplemental educational services was created by the federal government and is used to describe the regulated market of services that help students succeed in academic and career-related studies.
The rise and fall of supplemental educational services
Supplemental educational services is a federal government mandate that provides free extra academic assistance to low-income students in need.
The program was introduced as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and it holds public schools accountable for student proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.
A study in the Baltimore City Public Schools examined the effectiveness of the supplemental educational services programs and found that they did the small feat of increasing the academic achievement of at-risk children.
While the implementation of SES is a federal matter, the effects on at-risk students should be considered on a state by state basis.
For example, the Los Angeles Unified School District directs more than $100 million per year in Title I funds to the program.
In addition to funding and resources, schools should also examine the policies for implementing and administering SES.
In the era of school choice, the impact of the program on the broader education landscape is unclear.
Nonetheless, the supplemental educational services program is a worthy exercise in policymaking.
It is a good idea to evaluate its merits in the light of the recent flurry of federal legislation.
As the administration moves forward with reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, lawmakers should be sure to take into consideration the role of supplemental services in improving the academic performance of at-risk children.
The supplementary education industry is comprised of numerous providers ranging from private education providers to state education agencies.
Some of the largest players include the Los Angeles Unified School District and Chicago Public Schools.
Other major players include charter schools and nonprofit organizations like the Education for All Children Act.
Although the SES program has its flaws, it has benefited millions of at-risk children over the years.
The best supplemental educational services programs are not always the most cost-effective.
Many schools and districts report that they have a tough time attracting qualified applicants and enrolling them.
To this end, one suggestion would be to develop a clear and concise enrollment procedure.
Another would be to offer financial incentives to entice parents and students to participate in the SES program.
The federal government created and defined the operation of the supplemental educational services market
The federal government may have created and defined the supplemental educational services market, but it hasn't figured out the best way to do it.
One of the ways is to slap on a slap on the bill.
Those who are fortunate enough to have access to such funds should do their part to make the most of them.
It's also the time of year to start planning your budget for the upcoming school year.
Of course, the federal government isn't the only party responsible for this latest fad.
In fact, many states have taken steps to combat the scourge of teen suicide, which is a burgeoning adolescent epidemic.
To combat this looming menace, state agencies have developed programs to ensure that students in need are able to obtain a quality education.
These include programs to increase awareness of the problems faced by adolescent runaways, as well as support services for children with special needs.
Moreover, the state has developed a "best practices" policy for preventing the spread of bullying.
Despite its relative newness, state departments of education are still a bit on the defensive.
However, there are no guarantees.
They have to tread carefully or risk a snarky backlash.
This is not to mention that there are more important matters to worry about.
Ultimately, the state is looking to improve its budgetary standing in the coming year.
It will have to woo the powers that be to get there.
Fortunately, the supplemental educational services market isn't all that big.
As such, there's a chance that your state can snag a sliver of the pie.
The responsibilities of a supplemental educational service provider
Supplemental educational services are academic assistance provided outside the regular school day.
They can be offered at a library, in a center, or at the student's home.
These programs may be free or paid.
Supplemental educational service providers are required to meet certain federal, state, and local laws.
They also have to provide high quality instruction.
This includes making sure that the services are research-based and align with state standards and objectives.
The No Child Left Behind Act requires school districts to have a list of approved supplemental educational service providers.
The list explains the types of services that can be offered and provides some qualification requirements.
Supplemental educational service providers can be for-profit businesses or nonprofit organizations.
These entities must have a financial history and must comply with Section 1116 (e)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Among the qualifications are that they maintain records of the services they provide, report annual data to the ODE, and respond to reasonable requests.
Those receiving Federal funds are subject to regulations implementing Title IX and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
To become a provider, an entity must contact the SEA and demonstrate financial stability, and comply with the criteria for approval.
After being approved, a provider must maintain records for five years.
If a provider is no longer able to offer services, the ODE has the right to remove it from the list.
Supplemental educational services are only available to low-income families.
Parents can enroll their child in the program if they meet the eligibility requirements.
However, some students may not receive the services they need.
Moreover, SES providers may not enroll students without prior authorization.
In addition to providing supplemental educational services, providers must also keep records of student progress.
They must ensure that instruction is based on Ohio's academic content standards and is consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Additionally, providers must keep records of the number of students served, the number of students meeting academic goals, and the percentage of students meeting or exceeding pre- and post-testing goals.
Monitoring supplemental educational services
With the introduction of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the demand for supplemental educational services has increased.
As part of the federal law, schools must make supplemental educational services available to all students, including those with special needs.
These programs offer instruction in math and reading outside of the school day.
Typically, these services are offered to at-risk children.
The Department of Education has taken steps to increase awareness about supplemental educational services.
They have hosted meetings with state and district officials and provided information to parents.
Additionally, they have published non-regulatory SES guidance.
However, they have not established a rigorous research base.
Although many states have begun developing accountability systems for supplemental services, there is little in the way of consequences for providers.
In addition, most states have not had meaningful experience in monitoring private providers.
And because of this, states are not providing the additional resources necessary to effectively monitor these programs.
States must ensure that providers are providing effective instructional strategies to boost student academic achievement.
Additionally, states must ensure that the provider is offering the services to all eligible students, including special education students.
Furthermore, states must also monitor costs.
While most states have agreed to gather data on supplemental educational services, they are not using the data to determine whether the programs are effective.
During a survey conducted by the Supplemental Education Services Quality Center, state coordinators were asked about their efforts to monitor supplemental educational services.
About 90% of responders said that they communicated with the public in some fashion.
Most commonly, they used e-mail newsletters or the department's Web site.
Almost all states will begin collecting expenditure data on supplemental educational services in the 2007-2008 school year.
In addition, large national firms have emerged in the market for supplemental educational services.
While they have built a strong presence, they are not leveraging the same benefits that smaller, local providers have.
Rather, these companies are taking advantage of the market's elasticity.
The Department of Education has also introduced a new e-learning program, SmartChoice, to evaluate the effectiveness of supplemental educational programs that provide proprietary online curriculum.
This program is based on federal funds set aside for supplemental education.