How to Pay for an ABCS Academic Coach

An ABCS Coach is an independent consultant who has been prepared to work on a contract basis with a high priority school. Schools and districts can use a variety of funds (Title I - regular and School Improvement, general fund) for this purpose in order to meet requirements outlined in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

No Child Left Behind requires schools Identified for Improvement and schools Continuing to be Identified for Improvement to use at least 10 percent of their Title I funds for professional development to support a revised school improvement plan. In the case of schools identified for Corrective Action as well as Restructuring, NCLB requires districts to take at least one corrective/restructuring action in that school; one possible action is to appoint an outside expert to advise the school. An ABCS coach qualifies as such an outside expert.

Districts can also apply to the Michigan Department of Education for additional Title I funds to support their school improvement efforts. These funds are ear-marked for schools with the highest need and funding amounts vary.

For more information, click here www.michigan.gov/mde , or contact Linda Brown at BrownLQ@michigan.gov