Strategic Waiver School System (SWSS) Application Process Overview
The Strategic Waiver School System (SWSS) application process for superintendents in Georgia involves key changes for the year 2024. These changes aim to provide consistency, accountability, interventions, flexibility, and streamlined processes for districts participating in SWSS. The process includes contract development, application timelines, available resources, and stages of the SWSS contract. District-specific questions can be directed to strategicwaivers@doe.k12.ga.us.
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Introduction to the Strategic Waiver School System Application Process SWSS Superintendents February 2, 2024 Susan Walker, Director of Policy Kerry Pritchard, Assistant Director of Policy 1 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Agenda Overview of SWSS Changes Resources & Supports Available Contract Development & Approval Timeline Application Process (Online Portal) Suggested Next Steps 2 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
2024 SWSS Process: Key Changes Consistency in process for all SWSS districts to allow for 6- year contracts beginning July 1, 2024 Updated accountability measures aligned with Georgia s ESSA plan Interventions and supports aligned with existing school improvement systems Increased focus on flexibility and the utilization of waivers to enhance student achievement Streamlined application and contracting process 3 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Resources Available For district-specific questions, email strategicwaivers@doe.k12.ga.us. FAQs will periodically be shared via Community. 4 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
SWSS Contract Stages 5 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
SWSS Application Timeline Application Open to Districts Support Provided by GaDOE GaDOE Review of Applications Feedback Provided to Districts by April 26 State Board Reviews & Approves Contracts June 13 March May February April June Local Board Approval of Contracts Local Board Resolution Due to GaDOE by May 24 Application Submission Due March 25 6 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Accessing the Application All SWSS Superintendents will receive an email invitation to the online application. Note: Only the district Superintendent can access the online application initially. 7 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Accessing the Application 8 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Application Users Superintendent Highest level of access Can create, submit, and edit an application Only user able to complete the Confirmation tab, which provides legal assurance of the accuracy of the information provided in application Designee A person added as a user with permission of the Superintendent Can create and edit an application *ONLY 2 designees can be assigned* 9 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Application Components District Information Identify any schools NOT part of SWSS contract Flexibility Component Specific details about requested waivers District Strategic Plan Include copy of current plan Confirmation Page Superintendent must sign off on submission 10 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Flexibility Component of Application State law requires districts to include at least one of the following areas in their flexibility contract: Class Size Requirements Expenditure Controls Certification Requirements Salary Schedule Requirements 11 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Flexibility Component of Application There are 3 sub-sections: Academic Programs Flexibility Human Resources Flexibility Financial Flexibility Required within each sub-section: Provide overarching rationale for requesting the waiver category Select each individual law or rule requested to waive Provide implementation details for each waiver requested The goal for each waiver and variance shall be improvement of student performance. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-82(e)) 12 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Flexibility Component of Application Note: Character Limit for Implementation Strategy is 1,000 (including spaces) and for Academic Rationale is 1,500 (including spaces) 13 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Notes About Waivers O.C.G.A. 20-2-82(e) prohibits the waiver or variance of certain laws, rules, and regulations including, but not limited to: Civil Rights, Insurance, Health, and Safety Asbestos Remediation Unlawful Conduct Student Conduct & Discipline Prohibition on Discrimination Reporting Requirements Brief Period of Quiet Reflection Tuition Individual Graduation Plans FERPA HIPAA QBE Formula Earnings Funding Early Intervention Programs Divisive Concepts 14 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Notes About Waivers Certain waivers have parameters around their implementation. Waiver Category Code or Rule Section Description Parameters of Waiving this Law or Rule This is a waiver of the minimum eligible percentages for remedial education. Additional funding is not provided above the minimum percentages Remedial Education Academic Programs 20-2-154 FTE funding rules for the gifted program cannot be waived. LEAs may only earn FTE at the gifted weight if they abide by Option A or Option B of this rule for gifted student identification and the established guidelines for gifted teacher endorsement and program delivery. Educational Program for Gifted Students Academic Programs 160-4-2-.38 This rule may only be waived for the purpose of substitution of equivalent or higher-level requirements which will assist students in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful as they continue their education at the postsecondary level and/or enter the workforce. Graduation Requirements 160-4-2-.48 160-4-2-.47 Academic Programs 15 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Notes About Waivers Certain waivers have parameters around their implementation. Waiver Category Code or Rule Section Description Parameters of Waiving this Law or Rule Certification cannot be waived for special education. Certification waivers for some program areas may result in an impact on the earning of FTE program funding. A waiver request for these code sections must articulate specifically how the waiver will result in improved student outcomes. 20-2-108 20-2-200 20-2-201 20-2-204 Certification Requirements Human Resources Class-size and Reporting Requirements A waiver request for this code section must articulate specifically how the waiver will result in improved student outcomes. Human Resources 20-2-182 Duty-free Lunch and Teacher Planning A waiver request for this code section must articulate specifically how the waiver will result in improved student outcomes. Human Resources 20-2-218 16 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Suggested Next Steps Provide the SWSS Contract Application Guidance document to key members of your team Access the online application via the email Consider designating a secondary user in the online application Discuss the SWSS application process and timeline with your local board Review the full text of laws and rules your system would like to waive Reach out to the GaDOE team with questions Join us on March 8 at 9:00 am for our next webinar 17 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
Contact Our Team Susan Walker, Director of Policy Kerry Pritchard, Assistant Director of Policy strategicwaivers@doe.k12.ga.us 18 Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent | Georgia Department of Education | Educating Georgia s Future
