The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is seeking public comment regarding its request to the United States Education Department for a one year waiver of Section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) (20 U.S.C section 1225(b)), also known as the "Tydings Amendment," to extend the availability of federal fiscal year (FY) 2011 School Improvement Grant (SIG) funds authorized under section 1003(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, until September 30, 2014.

If approved, MSDE will grant all local education agencies with Focus or Approaching Target Schools permission to continue to use Title I, Part A federal FY2011 school improvement funds from Section 1003(a) until September 30, 2014.Continued use of these federal funds will enable the schools to continue interventions and school reform initiatives resulting in reducing the gap between subgroups of students and improved academic achievement of students in Maryland. These funds currently serve 41 Focus Schools and 107 Approaching Target schools.

MSDE will require each local education agency that receives an extension to these federal FY2011 funds to continue to expend them in accordance with Maryland's approved Flexibility Plan. MSDE assures that the continued funding for these schools will be based on the criteria outlined in its approved flexibility application.

Written comments will only be accepted from February 13, 2013 through March 6, 2013.

Comments must be addressed to:

Maria E. Lamb, Director
Program Improvement and Family Support Branch
Division of Student, Family and School Support
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
mlamb@msde.state.md.us

If you have any concerns regarding this notice, please do not hesitate to contact Maria E. Lamb by phone at 410.767.0286

Thank you for your consideration.