Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Information Available for Parents

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 provides eligible students the opportunity to receive extra academic assistance, including free tutoring, called Supplemental Educational Services (SES). Other services available include remediation, academic intervention, and instruction available outside the regular school day. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is dedicated to ensuring that all eligible students are informed of the opportunity to participate in SES and that parents are provided a selection of quality SES providers. The information below is intended to equip parents with the tools and understanding needed to select a quality tutoring service provider for a student in need.

What Makes a Child Eligible for SES?

In order for a child to be eligible for SES, he or she must be eligible for free or reduced lunch and attend a school required to provide SES. Schools are required to provide SES when they fail to meet student performance criteria defined under NCLB, termed adequate yearly progress (AYP), for three years in a row. A list of schools required to provide SES can be found on the MDE Web site at www.michigan.gov/ mde-ses or by calling the Office of School Improvement at (517) 373-3921. If a district does not have enough funding to provide services for all students, which is often the case, preference will be given to students who demonstrate the greatest academic need.

Is SES Really Free for Parents?

Yes. The school district will directly pay SES providers for the tutoring a child receives. In order to ensure that parents are not billed for services, it is very important that the district’s enrollment procedures be followed. Once the district’s allocation for a child is exhausted, parents may choose to pay for additional tutoring services from the provider.

How Do Students Enroll in SES?

Districts are required to provide enrollment information to parents each year. This typically occurs in the fall through parent meetings, newsletters, or a direct mailing. Anyone needing more information is encouraged to contact the school district’s main office or the individual school. Each district has its own specific enrollment procedures. If enrollment information or other assistance related to SES is still needed, contact the MDE’s Office of School Improvement at (517) 373-3921.

Choosing an SES Provider

The district is required to provide parents with basic program and contact information for each provider in the service area. Important questions to ask providers might include the following:

1. How often is a student’s progress reported?
2. What materials are used to teach the student?
3. What qualifications do the provider’s tutors possess?
4. Is transportation provided?
5. Where are the services provided?
6. How will the provider ensure that the student is physically safe while receiving SES?
7. How are the tutoring sessions scheduled?

A full list of interview questions for providers can be found on the MDE Web site at www.michigan.gov/mde-ses.

In order for SES providers—which can come from a school entity, an institution of higher education, a nonprofit or for-profit organization, or a faith-based organization—to receive approval by the state, they must meet the following criteria:

• The provider must demonstrate a record of effectiveness in improving student achievement.
• Instructional strategies must be of high quality, based upon research, and designed to increase student achievement.
• Services must be consistent with instructional programs of the school district and with state academic content standards.
• The provider must be financially sound.

What Is Expected During the Tutoring Session?

Prior to a student’s first tutoring session, the chosen provider will meet with the student’s parents and a school district representative to set learning goals. These goals will be designed to meet the student’s unique educational needs. Providers are also expected to supply parents with regular progress reports on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

What Are the Responsibilities of the Parents?

It is important that parents make sure their child attends all of the tutoring sessions. In addition, parents should talk to their child about what he or she learns during sessions and review all progress reports. As in a school setting, parents are key partners in their child’s education.

For more information about SES, contact: Office of School Improvement, Field Services Unit, Michigan Department of Education, (517) 373-3921, MDE-SES@michigan.gov or visit www.michigan.gov/mde-ses.