SOA Timelines and District Responsibilities

FY22 SOA Plan Amendment Timeline

The state's Student Opportunity Act (SOA) requires an annual amendment process through which districts and schools can make changes and updates to their SOA plans. The window for districts to submit FY22 SOA Plan amendments is now open. Plan amendments are due by Friday, April 1, 2022. Charter school districts' FY22 SOA Plan amendments are due by Monday, August 1.

Once again, DESE will collect SOA plan information via an electronic survey tool. The survey tool has been improved to further streamline the submission process and capture important information that will enable DESE to report publicly on the effective use of increased funding across the Commonwealth. The tool will also contain pre-populated information from each district's prior SOA plan submissions to make the amendment process as easy as possible (i.e., if information does not need to be revised, the district can simply use its previous responses).

SOA Plan Implementation

Implementation of SOA plans was originally expected to take place during the 2020-2021 school year. Due to the pandemic, the timeline for year 1 implementation of SOA plans now extends through the 2021-2022 school year. The FY22 SOA Plan Amendment Template includes items that address districts' current progress in implementing the evidence-based practice areas highlighted in their amended SOA plans.

Funding

Funds for implementing the evidence-based practice in district SOA plans are expected to come from a combination of Chapter 70 state education aid; federal ESSER funding, other local, state, and federal funds; and other sources (e.g., grants from foundations).

Last Updated: December 7, 2021