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Federal Programs

What is the purpose of Federal Funds?

 

The vision of Mississippi State Board of Education is to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens. In support of this vision, the mission of the Office of Federal Programs (OFP) is to provide leadership in the effective use of federal funds so that all students are prepared to compete in the global community.

 

Title I, Part A- Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides financial assistance through State educational agencies (SEAs) to local educational agencies (LEAs) and public schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Title I funds may be used for children from preschool through grade 12.  LEAs target the Title I funds they receive to public schools with the highest poverty rates.  Public schools with poverty rates of at least 40 percent may use Title I funds, along with other Federal, State, and local funds, to operate a schoolwide program to upgrade the entire educational program. Schools with poverty rates below 40 percent, or those choosing not to operate a schoolwide program, offer a targeted assistance program. In a targeted assistance program, the school serves Title I-eligible students who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet challenging state academic standards.  The school then designs, in consultation with parents, staff, and district staff, an instructional program to meet the needs of those students. Both schoolwide and targeted assistance programs must be based on effective means of improving student achievement and include strategies to support parent and family engagement. 

 

Title I 1003(a) Funding

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the purpose of building the capacity of schools to increase student achievement, in accordance with section 1003 of ESEA as reauthorized by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and as approved in Mississippi’s ESEA Flexibility Request (Request).

Schools may use funds to support interventions needed to address the school’s reason for receiving the designation. As these funds are a part of Title I, the same limitations to expenditures apply (e.g., Supplement not Supplant).

 

Title II, Part A – Supporting Effective Instruction

The purpose of Title II, Part A is to increase student academic achievement consistent with the challenging state academic standards; improve the quality and effectiveness of teacher, principals, and other school leaders; increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.

Use of Funds

  • To develop, implement, and improve rigorous, transparent, and fair evaluation and support systems;
  • To support the effective recruitment, selection, hiring and retention of effective educators;  
  • To recruit qualified individuals from other fields to become educators;
  • To reduce class size to a level that is evidence-based;
  • To provide high-quality personalized professional development that is evidence-based;
  • To develop programs and activities that increase educators’ ability to meet the needs of all learners;
  • To support activities and programs that increase educators’ ability to meet the needs of students through age 8; Carrying out in-service training for school personnel;
  • To support the instructional services provided by effective school library programs;
  • To develop feedback mechanisms to improve school working conditions; and
  • To carry out other evidence-based activities that meet the purpose of this title.

 

Title IV, Part A - Safe and Drug Free Schools

The Safe and Drug Free Schools (Title IV, Part A) program is designed to support programs that prevent violence in and around schools; that prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs; that involve parents and communities; and that are coordinated with related federal, state, school and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that supports student academic achievement.

Use of Funds             

  • Violence prevention;
  • Comprehensive health education;
  • Mentoring programs;
  • Professional development for drug, alcohol, and violence prevention (district, parents, community, etc.);
  • Implementation of strategies (i.e., intervention, family counseling, community services and referrals);
  • Security measures such as safe zones of passage, metal detectors, and hiring security personnel;
  • Student assistance programs;
  • Needs assessments;
  • Character education;
  • Student drug testing;
  • Program evaluations; and
  • Conflict resolution programs.
  • Drug prevention and education programs (pre-K-12)

 

Title VI, Part B – Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP

The Rural Education Initiative is designed to address the unique needs of small, rural local education agencies (LEAs) that frequently lack the personnel and resources needed to compete effectively for Federal competitive grants and receive formula grant allocations under other programs in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes.

There are two programs under the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) that an eligible LEA may be able to receive funds:

  • Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program and
  • Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) Program. 

 

Parent & Family Engagement

The purpose of Parent and Family Engagement under Title I, Part A is to provide support to schools, family, and the community in the development of partnerships and building relationships.  Parent and Family Engagement focuses on increasing active participation, communication, and collaboration between all stakeholders, reaching beyond barriers of culture, language, disabilities, and poverty to improve education and other important outcomes for children, youth and adults.  In order to implement these beliefs, the Quitman County School District submits the following:

  • Each school in Quitman County School District maintains a Parent Center that offers many services including:  educational materials for home use; assistance in obtaining health related services; parenting skills training; techniques for motivating students.
  • At least 1% of the district’s annual Title I allocations is allocated to parental involvement.
  • Annual Open House and Title I Activity nights will be held to inform parents and the community of the activities carried out by Office of Federal Programs.
  • The district will conduct an annual needs assessment survey to get input from parents on their needs and the needs of their students.

 The Parent Cordinators are available at each school:

  • Reshard Jemerson--Quitman County Elementary School
  • Shanethria Morgan--Quitman County Middle School
  • Cavotta Pryor--Madison Shannon Palmer High School

 

Walter Atkins
Federal Programs Director
 
 
 
Angler Washington,
Administration Asst.
Phone: 662-326-8178
Fax: 662-326-8177