The development of the consolidated application is a shared responsibility between Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Office of School Improvement, Field Services Unit. The shared goal for the coming year (2008-09) is to have all applications submitted in substantially approvable form by LEAs in time to receive prior MDE approval before funded activities begin.

Increasingly, the federal government is placing emphasis on a thorough needs assessment, a strong improvement plan and compliance with federal and state guidance. The plan should be nearing completion in each LEA for the 2008-09 academic year. The consolidated application can then be prepared and submitted early in the summer so that it can be reviewed, questions answered and approved before the requested supplementary services begin next fall.

MDE has prepared a Consolidated Application Schedule and Q & A. Some of the key elements include:

• What’s due when?
• A definition of “substantially approvable” applications and amendments.
• How do we get a July 1 obligation date?
• When will we get access to our carryover funds?

A single strong improvement plan is the foundation to the consolidated application. MDE sees a wide variety of improvement plans but they say the best have the following characteristics:

1. The plan is built upon a thorough analysis of data and this analysis is summarized in a clear description of student needs!

2. The plan is focused on student achievement – everything is tied to helping students learn!

3. The plan does a limited number of very important things well!

4. The plan is built with the input of the people who will implement it, and it is communicated widely to all stakeholders!

5. After the plan is adopted, appropriate funding sources are tapped to support the plan!

6. It’s not done until you know what worked and what can be improved!