Strategic Waiver School System (SWSS) Application Process Overview
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1
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
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2
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
•
Overview
of
SWSS
Changes
•
Resources
&
Supports
Available
•
Contract
Development
&
Approval
Timeline
•
Application
Process
(Online
Portal)
•
Suggested
Next
Steps
2
0
2
4
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W
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s
:
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e
s
3
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
•
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
R
e
s
o
u
r
c
e
s
A
v
a
i
l
a
b
l
e
For
district-
specific
questions,
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
S
W
S
S
C
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t
r
a
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t
S
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e
s
5
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
S
W
S
S
A
p
p
l
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c
a
t
i
o
n
T
i
m
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e
F
e
b
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a
r
y
Application
Open
to
Districts
Support
Provided
by
GaDOE
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h
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o
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D
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e
M
a
r
c
h
2
5
A
p
r
i
l
GaDOE
Review
of
Applications
F
e
e
d
b
a
c
k
P
r
o
v
i
d
e
d
t
o
D
i
s
t
r
i
c
t
s
b
y
A
p
r
i
l
2
6
M
a
y
Local
Board
Approval
of
Contracts
L
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c
a
l
B
o
a
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d
R
e
s
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l
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t
i
o
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D
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o
G
a
D
O
E
b
y
M
a
y
2
4
J
u
n
e
State
Board
Reviews
&
Approves
Contracts
J
u
n
e
1
3
6
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
A
c
c
e
s
s
i
n
g
t
h
e
A
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
All
SWSS
Superintendents
will
receive
an
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
A
c
c
e
s
s
i
n
g
t
h
e
A
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
8
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
A
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
U
s
e
r
s
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
A
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
C
o
m
p
o
n
e
n
t
s
District
Information
•
Identify
any
schools
NOT
part
of
SWSS
contract
10
10
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
Flexibility
Component
•
Specific
details
about
requested
waivers
District
Strategic
Plan
•
Include
copy
of
current
plan
Confirmation
Page
•
Superintendent
must
sign
off
on
submission
F
l
e
x
i
b
i
l
i
t
y
C
o
m
p
o
n
e
n
t
o
f
A
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
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
11
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
F
l
e
x
i
b
i
l
i
t
y
C
o
m
p
o
n
e
n
t
o
f
A
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
12
12
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
There
are
3
sub-sections:
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
Academic
Programs
Flexibility
Human
Resources
Flexibility
Financial
Flexibility
T
h
e
g
o
a
l
f
o
r
e
a
c
h
w
a
i
v
e
r
a
n
d
v
a
r
i
a
n
c
e
s
h
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b
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i
m
p
r
o
v
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m
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u
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p
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2
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-
8
2
(
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)
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F
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i
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y
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m
p
o
n
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f
A
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
Note:
Character
Limit
for
Implementation
Strategy
is
1,000
(including
spaces)
and
for
Academic
Rationale
is
1,500
(including
spaces)
13
13
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
N
o
t
e
s
A
b
o
u
t
W
a
i
v
e
r
s
14
14
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
O.C.G.A.
§
20-2-
82(e)
prohibits
the
waiver
or
variance
of
certain
laws,
rules,
and
regulations
including,
but
not
limited
to:
N
o
t
e
s
A
b
o
u
t
W
a
i
v
e
r
s
Certain
waivers
have
parameters
around
their
implementation.
15
15
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
N
o
t
e
s
A
b
o
u
t
W
a
i
v
e
r
s
Certain
waivers
have
parameters
around
their
implementation.
16
16
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
S
u
g
g
e
s
t
e
d
N
e
x
t
S
t
e
p
s
17
17
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
C
o
n
t
a
c
t
O
u
r
T
e
a
m
18
18
Richard
Woods,
Georgia’s
School
Superintendent
|
Georgia
Department
of
Education
|
Educating
Georgia’s
Future
Susan
Walker,
Director
of
Policy
Kerry
Pritchard,
Assistant
Director
of
Policy
strategicwaivers@doe.k12.ga.us
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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Presentation Transcript
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
