From: To: Subject: Date: Attachments:

Margaret-Ann Tookes Complaints Management HISD not Entering Enrollment Forms Monday, December 27, 2010 4:37:29 PM Scan_Doc0008.pdf

To whom it may Concern, Houston Independent School District parents and students have been calling my company every week trying to understand why their child has not been contacted or entered into the system for services for the free tutorial program. Many of these students are and have struggled or failed courses and have not been allotted services due to Houstons refusal to follow guidelines or changing enrollment application submissions requirements that were not outlined in their contract. My organization has followed the state outlined guidelines without any other problem in any other district, and has just received notice that we were reported to the state for not following proper recruiting practices. To date we have submitted over 150 enrollment applications and have only seen 11 entered into the system. Attached are documents that will confirm HISD SES department inability to follow guidelines and create false accusations to refuse the servicing of students with this program. I have elected that my organization not go out and fund additional recruiting events until this district follows guidelines outlined by the state. Between the district SES teams not imputing enrollment forms within 10 business days and campus administrators never returning phone or email request to recruit on campus student within this particular district were not service during this first semester and the district is stating that they are closing the enrollment period even early because they have other responsibilities within their department. Enrollment applications for my organization and others were submitted more than 90 days ago and only a few students have been entered into the system. We have contacted the parents that have enrolled in our program and made the necessary corrections required by the district. I have requested from Ms. Coffee (Director of SES for HISD) if applications with errors would be returned; although particular providers (JET Learner Lab & APC) are constantly given the opportunity to received forms to make the necessary corrections. In the monthly meetings in which we are required to attend, Ms. Coffee addresses all questions with profound disrespect and threatens our contracts with the district if we email or call the state regarding any concerns about enrollment. It is becoming rather difficult dealing with parents that have students that are failing and need services. I am losing valuable staff members that were hired to service students in the Houston area due to the lack of student input into the system I cannot provide them with steady employment. Even TAKS retester, were not able to receive services to assist with their ability to possibility master the exams in which they need for graduation. Each meeting addresses the same concerns about SES providers renting out campus spaces which have been limited to three providers per campus, providing students with technology devices, recruiting, and etc... As a provider, I have my own location to service students, and it is rather expensive to constantly recruit new parents which are never input into the system. As a small business, we were required to have a certain amount of reserves in our accounts to ensure that any delay in payment from the district. Yet, this type of delay in services begins to take an effect on our organization. I am asking for some type of assistances from the state regarding this matter to not only assist the servicing of students in the Houston area, but our ability to make an effective difference in this program.

General Issues with Houston ISD SES Department & Campuses:

1.

Houston ISD Provider Fairs a. We are invited out to campuses to meet with parents and then locked away in the library or cafeteria. But parents are not allowed in to speak with any Provider that was in attendance, and Providers are threatened by Campus Coordinators that if we speak with parents during the event our contracts with the district will be termination. b. Adminstrators on campuses do not return request to recruit after-school on campuses.

2.

Missing a 2 nd & 3 rd choices a. If our employees are recruiting at different events or location we are being forced to know which other companies would provide similar services. b. Some parents refuse to add additional provides after visiting different providers or question our request to have them add one. c. Many of our applications were already completed before information was provided by the district and we are told not to write on the forms. d. HISD is placing all these applications in a separate stack where they will call each parent to assist them in identifying other providers. (According to the state, if the parents request assists with the issue the district can provide assistants.) e. Yet, these calls and corrections have been made by my organization.

3.

Enrollment Forms Returned for Correction a. These forms were submitted to the district on September 3 rd , not reviewed until October 4 th, and were not returned to me for corrections until December 1. b. I was informed that these forms needed a check for the type of tutoring to be checked. Yet once I pulled them from the envelope and reviewed these forms had that information already checked. All the red ink is information proved. c. These students were approved for services yet never entered into the system and have not been entered into the system as of today. d. According to the Attachment 2 we were required to choose one rate.

4.

Companies use of abbreviations

a. We have used this in all other districts and it has not been an issue, since all enrollment forms are placed in an envelope. b. Our envelopes have pre-printed labels with the companys full name and abbreviation sample of (YMCUTM). Yet Ms. Coffee states that they remove them from the envelopes and combines them with other applications. This process is not being done with any other district and does not make a lot of sense when you have a time stamp, sign-in sheet, and an envelope that identifies which company those initial represent. Parents do not have time when we are recruiting to write out so much information and typically request stamps (which are not allowed). At this time many SES providers had already submitted forms that have not been submitted to the district. The problem is not that we have chosen not to follow guidelines issued by the district, but

changing the rules once applications have been submitted is completely unfair to the students that have been awaiting services. We are dealing with concerned parents that have a child or children that need to be services before the end of the first semester. I feel powerless in this situation and fearful that because I am writing these concerns about Houston ISD, will make Ms. Coffees threats true. In this last meeting when one provider stated that he was going to have the parent call her, his contract was threaten. The purpose of this program is to work with school districts to increase low-performance and general students with assistance to improve or enhance their ability to master learning. Although, over 13,000 students are eligible for services only 1,000 have been approved, but more than 6,000 applications have yet to even been reviewed due to these new requirements been implemented without prior notice to provides. As a new SES provider, I have found that some campuses follow the guidelines outlined by the state without a problem, yet some campuses refuse too. We are not treated as individual organizations that are approved by the state to assist student struggling, and constantly spoken to with disrespect for being a part of this program. The goal of this program is to assist students that cannot typically afford these types of services, while assist districts with campuses on the school improvement list. Many of us have the best interest of the students at heart and decided to service siblings as well that need additional academic assists. But these types of delays are creating additional expenses in calling parents to complete new applications, revisiting the homes of parents that have already submitted a complete applications, and the lost of valuable staff to services students that need tutorial services. It is difficult finding qualified employees that have the knowledge and skills to properly tutor each student. But waiting over 60 days to begin working is not something many people are willing to do. I received a complaint regarding my recruiting in the district that was submitted on October 27, 2010 yet I have not conducted any recruiting since September. All applications submitted into our office were based on parents submitting forms directly to us.

Please review attachments and advise.

Sincerely,

Brandy Tookes Director of Education, CEO mtookes@yomisscanuteachme.com www.yomisscanuteachme.com Become the Change You Want to See! -Ghandi

Yo Mi~~! Can U Toaeh Mo?

Houston Independent School District

Attachment 2

SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (SES)

2010-2011 PROVIDER INFORMATION FORM
Please answer all questions as they are reflected on your TEA application, and return this form via e-mail to ext.funding@houstonisd.org

PROVIDER INFORMATION
N~me of Provi~ j}!lcll,l~_e ~BA):_ District Contact Person:
-------

-------1
~o--, --;
I

-~o

Miss! Can U Teach ~~? Educational Services ----

--'--,

wH--lisIIDP~ooVrid2eOrlo-serv20ell-~. ~ Yes-

--,---Margaret Tookes

---

------

E~Mail-' - --~- , ------'Pho~e~--832-582-8312' Address: mtookes@yomlsscanuteachme.com ~ - , Fax: 713-750-9646 _

-----_._------

Mailing Address: 9950 Westpark Dr Ste #118, Houston, TX 77063 JCit}'L?tate, ?ip)____ ., Delivery Address: : (If differen!)~ _

-----!

The mailing address will be placed on the contract, unless otherwise *CONTRACTS CANNOT BE DELIVERED TO P, 0, BOXES
PROVIDER INFORMATION
Description of Services Provided (as reflected on the TEA application):

directed,

Yo Miss! Can U Teach Me? Ed. Srvs provides academic tutorials (grades 3 thru 12) in all subject areas either individual or small groups. We offer innovative strategies that build confidence and skills while bridging academic gaps through comprehensive assessments. Through the use of innovative strategies, students are eager to tackle difficult concepts that fuel anxiety in the classroom and on statemandated examinations. Our at-risk and low-performing students are encouraged and motivated by their transitions in learning which assist in achieving college readiness. We align our strategies with supplemental materials utilized on district campuses, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) objectives. Each session consist of 120 minutes of instruction with a minimum of two sessions per week during the school year, and four per week during the summer to continue enhancing : their proficiencies. Our tutors work with the same student's while fostering positive relationships to provide the best learning environment.
Description of Instructor's Qualifications (as reflected on the TEA application):

Teachers will be hired based on No Child Left Behind (NCLB) with two years of growth on Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) in their curricular area. Background checks are required by all personnel in accordance to SES provider requirements. Transcripts are verified to ensure that each tutor meets outline qualifications in subject area being taught. All tutors are required to attend schedule meetings and trainings to learn new strategies or materials to incorporate in student curriculum plan. College tutors are provided with additional training on special populations to include low income, at-risk, bilingual families, and students. To ensure the best results, we hire qualified personnel that are committed in mentoring, communicating with parents, and challenging students to be open in expressing academic or personal goals.

---

Description of Evidence of Effectiveness (as reflected on the TEA application):

--,--

-- --

-,-----

--

- --

-- --- -

-- --

- --

--

----

-- ----

r=>.

Our staff has over 10 years experience working with inner-city at-risk students. We have improved student conduct by 55%, reducing suspension/expulsion by 35%, and amplified high school retention rates. Our programs are significant to students that unsuccessfully completed a grade level due to comprehension or failed a portion of TAKS, As a result of our meticulous effort academic abilities have improved, confident levels increased, incentives goals are met, and students are envisioning higher educational goals. Learners make positive educational gains at least one grade level within 36 hours of tutorials, as re-testers are mastery state-mandated exams. Student improvement data is consistently updated every 6 to 9 week by school reports (Standford 10, TAKS, and report cards) and our diagnostic test provide both student and parent(s) with growth, as well as intervention procedures that monitors deficiencies and advancements. Our college preparation program had an enrollment of over 100 at-risk students accepted into universities based on their academic abilities with proficient scores on the SAT/ACT national exam. All entering college level courses with the need to enroll in developmental courses,

STUDENTS
lL ; What is the Provider's exact hourly rate per student? "ft. For contract purposes, please submit 2Dlx SU!~.
A rate that is different from the amount on the !E~ applicatio~ may delay con~act pro~~u-,"e~ _ What grade levels will be served? What is the tutor/student ratio? What is the minimum number of students the Provider will serve per campus? What is the maximum number of students the Provider will serve per campus?
-- -

--

$ 75.00

[81

K-5

[816-8

[81

9-12 6:1 10 250

FEES")
- - -

OTHER:

Will supplemental educational services be provided at the campus? (SEE "RENTAL

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---

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-- -

--

- ---.- ------

[81

Yes

If the Provider location of the supplemental educational services is off campus, is transportation provided?

--- --------

No No

-,

Yes

[81

SESSIONS
- How many sessionsper week? 5 How long are the sessions? 2

CONTACT INFORMATION
HISD SES Team Department of External Funding Phone: 713-556-6928 ext. funding@houstonisd.org

Print

From: Coffee, LaWanda N (LCOFFEE@houstonisd.org)

To:
Date: Wed, December 1,2010 12:59:22 PM Cc: Subject: Enrollment Forms

Attaehm~nt 3

Please pick up enrollment forms in room 2E23 and return due to no tutoring requested, no assistance requested and/or no back side of-forms.

laW1Uld1l eollllll Grants Administrator Houston ISO- Department of External Funding Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center 4400 W.l8th Street Houston, TX77092 Phone: 713-556-6928 Fax: 713-556-6946 IcoHee@houstonisd.or9 Clicb the linb below to tabe a brief optional customer satisfaction survey:

http://www.surveymonbey.com/S/3XDYHCD

http://us.mg3.mail.vahoo.comldc/launch?&.gx=1

1'1rY7nf\1f\

Print

Yo Miss! Can U Toaeh M~7

From: Coffee, La Wanda N (LCOFFEE@houstonisd.org) To: mtookes@yomisscanuteachme.com; Date: Thu, October 28,2010 12:38:37 PM Cc: Subject: RE: Enrollment Forms Question

Attaehmgnt 4

If there are problems with the forms which do not violate the district contract, then the forms are returned to the provider for corrections. Please keep in mind the 4 reason mentioned at the meetings and provided in the updates as to why the forms are not entered into EZSES. Lawanda Coffee Department of External Funding Phone: 713-556-6928 Fax: 713-556-6946 -----Original Message----From: Miss College Prep [mailto:mtookes@yomisscanuteachme.com] Sent: Thursday, October 28,2010 12:10 PM To: Coffee, LaW anda N Subject: Enrollment Forms Question Good afternoon Ms. Coffee, I wanted to know if application that may not have been processed do to problems will be returned to make corrections before the end of the Fall enrollment period? We have only seen one approved student from two weeks ago and have checked multiple times at the district. But nothing had been returned. Thank you for following up or responding because I do realize you are busy with many things. Brandy Tookes Director of Education, CEO www.yomisscanuteachme.com

http://us.mg3.mail.yahoo.comldc/launch?&.gx=1

1)/') 7 I? {)1 0

Print

From: Margaret-Ann Tookes (mtookes@yomisscanuteachrne.com) To: LCOFFEE@houstonisd.org; Date: Tue, November 30, 201011:14:21 AM

Atta~hmQnt5

Cc:
Subject: Questions Regarding SES Tutoring
I have been receiving a number of calls from parents that are still awaiting service from their applications that were submitted during September. The only applications that have been entered for my organization were ones submitted in October. I do understanding that you are requesting 3 providers and then not to use abbreviations, but it is becoming rather expensive for my organization to resend employees from house to house, as well as dangerous because I do not recruit in this manner to correct these forms. Many on these parental concerns are that their child needs assistant with courses that they have been failing and needed tutorial assistance before final exams is needed. I have encouraged some parents to visit my location by having them attended an information sessions on Saturday, but it conflicts with their weekend scheduled plans as well. But the general concerns has been that why do they need additional providers, can they just tell me over the phone, or what does the district want the students to fail. Each call is taking between 15-30 minutes trying to explain our failure to obtain that additional information and why new forms are needed. My question to you is that if my organization presents a call log and corrected/completed copy of the original is that sufficient enough since no enrollment forms have been issued back for correction. Ms. Coffee, I do understand that this program can be troublesome this being my first year trying to learn the correct methods of providing tutorial services to student. As a former HISD educator, I began this program to assist my students that needed SAT & ACT prep, re-testers for TAKS to not dropout of school, and assist them with college enrollment. Not all of us are just out here for personal gains, but do have the best interest of these students at heart. But if you are new to this system and see were better guidelines should have been implemented to avoid all of the confusion and con's by some, I do agree with the firmness of you enforcing better guidelines. But it is difficult for my organization to foot additional expenses to makes corrections, and believe me I have tried. Some of these situations the students are having difficulty with their are others in the same household not at a qualifying campus or grade level. But we are willing to assist those students as well! I am not asking you to bend the rules for my organization, but to assist in limited the number of failing students this semester to assist me in providing them with some type of assistances before finals. Many of the students that enrolled in our program have been serious about improving test scores and academics, but we have not been able to assist them due to our lack of knowledge regarding this new program. I ensure you that no additional forms submitted will have such errors, but can you consider the 38 applications that I have made corrections on the copies via phone conferences with the parent for input. We are not trying to services more than enough students that will ensure that each students is able to show some type of progress, but just to assist those who have obtainable goals that can be met. If you could provide feedback on these concerns it will be greatly appreciated.

Brandy Tookes Director of Education, CEO mtookes@yomisscanuteachme.com www.yomisscanuteachme.com Become the Change You Want to See! -Ghandi

http://us.mg3.mail.vahoo.comldc/launch?&.Qx=1

1,")/',),,7nnln

Print

Yo Miss! Can U Teach Mo?

From: Coffee, LaWanda N (LCOFFEE@houstonisd.org) To: mtookes@yomisscanuteachme.com; Date: Thu, December 2,2010 11:42:54 AM Cc: Subject: RE: Enrollment Forms

Atta(!hmgnt 6

Yes, at this time please go ahead submit any forms you have. We have received such a large number of forms that the enrollment period may end before February 11th. We will discuss more about the enrollment process at the meeting on Monday.
Lawanda Coffee
Department of Ex terna I Funding
Phone: 713-556-6928 Fax: 713-556-6946 --- --- ----------_ .. _---- ..-

_.-

--.. _--_.-

..--

..

---_.----- ._------------_
]

..._-----

From: Miss College Prep [maHto: mtookes@yomisscanuteachme.com

Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 2:39 PM

To: Coffee, LaWanda N

Subject: Re: Enrollment Forms Did you have time to review the message that I sent you yesterday regarding enrollment forms? Brandy Tookes Director of Education,CEO www.yomisscanuteachme.eom On Dee 1,2010, at 12:59 PM, "Coffee, LaWanda N" <LCOFFEE@houstonisd.org> wrote:

Please pick up enrollment forms in room 2E23 and return due to no tutoring requested, no assistance requested and/or no back side of forms.

lawMd. Bollu
Grants Administrator Houston ISD - Department of Extemal Funding Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center 4400 W. 18th Street Houston, TX 77092 Phone: 713-556-6928 Fax: 713-556-6946 IcoHee@houstonisd.org Clicb the linb below to tabe a brief optional customer satisfaction survey:

hHp://www.surveymonbey.com/S/3XDYHCD

http://us.m!2J.mail.vahoo.eom/de/launch?&_o-x=l

Yo'Mis'Sl Can'U Teach Me?

.... ,.
.,'"

Educational Service"

'(./\bbreviatioi1:YM't:lrriVl:\ ~ . . I
'l=ree SES Tutorh'lg AppJ'icatim1'

Attaehment 8

1701 North Congress Ave. Austin, Texas 78701-1494

512463-9734

512463-9838

FAX www.tea.state.tx.us

December 20, 2010

Pamela Evans, Manager Department of External Funding Houston Independent School District Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092-8501 Subject: SES Providers Houston Independent School District Recruitment Practices Dear Ms. Evans This letter serves to acknowledge receipt of the complaint sent to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on October 27,2010. Your complaints concern the following providers of supplemental educational services (SES) in the Houston Independent School District (district): 1. Wonder-Space Mobile 2. Tutors with Computers 3. Yo Miss! Can U Teach Me? 4. Learn-It Systems 5. Leaps and Bounds Tutorial Center 6. Diverse Learning 7. Apex Academics 8. American Rising Starts Alternatives Unlimited 9. 100 Scholars 10.1 to 1 Tutor 11. 1 on 1 Education Concerns Based on the review of the documentation sent to the TEA, it is our understanding that the district's complaint concerns the recruitment practices of the SESproviders. More specifically, the district believes that the SES providers have submitted student enrollment forms that were hot signed by an authorized person. In addition, certain SES providers do not always follow district policies and procedures in the provision of SES.

Ms. Pamela Evans, External Funding Houston Independent School District SES Providers Page 2 The district finds that the SES providers do not comply with certain local, state, or federal requirements for SES under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The district requests TEA to determine whether any of the SES providers have violated state or federal law based on the district's findings and documentation. State-level Review The district is responsible for ensuring that SES providers comply with local, state, and federal requirements and the terms of the SES Agreement. In addition, the district must accept and resolve complaints alleging non-compliance of a local, state, and federal requirement under NCLB. The TEA does not have jurisdiction over local policies and procedures. However, the TEA accepts and resolves complaints alleging non-compliance of a state and federal requirements under NCLB after receiving the district's investigation report that includes (a) documentation that it has provided the SES'provider an opportunity to review and respond to the allegations, (b) considered all relevant information in establishing the findings of fact, and (c) a determination of whether a state or federal requirement has been violated based on the evidence. TEA Review and Determination 1. The district's October 27, 2010 complaints include copies of student enrollment forms -and amansrrom sctf601-staff express1flg-collceniabouftfieSES proviaers following campus visitation procedures. 2. The district explains that it discovered a number of discrepancies on student enrollment forms through its "enrollment verification process." The district states that school staff researched the discrepancies by reviewing student records or contacting parents. However, the documentation to support these findings is not included. 3. The documentation regarding Tutors with Computers includes one parent complaint. However, the SES provider's response to the parent's complaint or discrepancy on the enrollment form was not included. r: 4. The documentation regarding Learn-It Systems makes reference to a police report; however, the response from Learn It System or the determination of the matter as it relates to compliance with local, state, or federal requirements is not included. 5. The district communicated its concerns to some of the SES providers, through meetings or email communication. The results or status of those local resolution efforts are not included. 6. .There is no documentation that each SES provider had an opportunity to review and respond to the district's complaints that were filed with TEA. 7. The district continues to receive services from the- SES providers under the current Agreements. The complaint did not include documentation of local findings and determinations.

- ---

__ __

The complaint did not allege a violation of federal or state requirement.

Ms. Pamela Evans, External Funding Houston Independent School District SES Providers Page 3

__

The complaint did not include a finding that a federal or state requirement was violated.

_X_ The complaint did not include sufficient evidence to support the district's findings and conclusions. If the district further investigates the allegations, the district may submit its investigative report to TEA and include the evidence on which it bases its findings. The district must provide a copy of its complaint and final investigative report to the parties involved. In light of the extensive scope and nature of the district's concerns regarding SES student enrollment, we wish to inform the district's Office of Inspector General. The concerns involve a number of SES providers district-wide and may have implications to the data entered in the Texas EZSES, the software application used to manage, monitor and report SES data from enrollment to billing. Written findings and supporting documentation may be submitted to TEA by mail, fax, or email.
Attention: NCLB Complaint Correspondence and Complaints Management Texas Education Agency 11701 N. Congress Avenue 1Austin, Texas 78701 Fax (512) 463-9008 or Email complaintsmanagement@tea.state.tx.us

This concludes our review and resolution of the October 27, 2010 complaints. The NCLB complaint procedures are enclosed for your reference. For technical assistance regarding SES, please contact the School Improvement Resource Center (SIRC) at (512) 919-5313 or visit the SIRC website at http://www5.esc13.net/ses/index.html.

~~

Anita Villarreal, Director Title I School Improvement Division of NCLB Program Coordination Enclosures: cc: NCLB complaint procedures

SES Provider Robert E. Moore, Inspector General Office of Inspector General, Houston ISO Leticia Govea, SES Program Coordinator SIRC