Federal Programs

Greetings from the Office of Federal Programs!  It is our goal to assure federal funds are used to promote educational excellence for all students, build capacity among teachers, principals, and support staff, and to recruit and retain highly qualified educators.  The Office of Federal Programs works collaboratively with the Office of Curriculum and Instruction to ensure the academic needs of students are being met.  As we venture through the 2019-2020 school term, it is our aim to assure a quality educational experience for all students.

-Jason Hamilton, Director of Federal Programs

Jhamilton@wilkinson.k12.ms.us

The Wilkinson County School District has elected to submit the application for a 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant to focus on the students at William Winans Middle School for the 2019-2020 school year.

Dear Parents/Legal Guardian:

In accordance with ESEA Section 1111(h)(6) PARENTS RIGHT-TO-KNOW, the Wilkinson County School District is notifying every parent of a student in a Title I school that you have the right and may request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher. This information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher include, at a minimum, the following:

1. Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction. 

2. Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived. 

3. The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.

4. Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

In addition to the information that parents may request, a school that receives funds under this part shall provide to each individual parent the following:

1. Information on the level of achievement of the parent's child in each of the State academic assessments as required under this part; and

2. Timely notice that the parent's child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks, by a teacher who is not highly qualified.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Office of Federal Programs is to provide support to the Wilkinson Co. School District in improving the academic success of students and in enhancing the professional growth of the staff.

FYI:

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides funding to state educational agencies to meet the academic needs of eligible students residing within the state. The Mississippi Department of Education is the recipient of most ESEA funds allocated to the State. The WCSD is a sub-recipient of three grants funded through ESEA--Title I, Title II and Title VI. These funds are managed through the Office of Federal Programs.

The Office of Federal Programs primary responsibilities are to:
- Serve as liaison between the district and the Mississippi Department of Education,

- Assist the district and schools with interpreting and carrying forth provisions of federal regulations,

- Monitor procedures utilized in conducting annual needs assessments and planning and implementing programs designed for school improvement,

- Provide assistance in developing and implementing the school’s federal programs, and

- Provide guidance in fiscal management.

Title I

Title I is the largest federal funding source to local educational agencies under ESEA. It is designed to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging state academic standards and state academic assessments. The Title I mission is to ensure that each child successfully meets or exceeds Mississippi's proficient and advanced levels of student performance and meets or exceeds expectations on local, state, and national assessments.

Title I funds in WCSD provide:

    - Lead teachers
    - Paraprofessionals/Intervention Assistants
    - Opportunities for professional development for school staff
    - Additional learning time for Title I students
    - Classroom materials and programs
    - Opportunities to update classroom technology through the purchase of computers, iPads, and Smartboards
      - Districtwide Pre-K program
      - Supplement all programs for English Language Learners

Title II

Title II funds are used to increase the academic achievement of students by improving the quality of the overall educational staff by providing districtwide, school-based and individual professional development.

Title II funds in WCSD provide:

    - Professional development for staff
    - Instructional coaches
    - Materials for professional development

Title VI

The Title VI provides financial assistance to rural districts to assist them in meeting their state's definition of annual measureable objectives. Under the RLIS program, the US Department of Education awards funds by formula to SEAs, which in turn make sub-grants to LEAs.

Title VI funds in WCSD are used to provide:

    - Tutoring for students
    - Supplemental classroom materials and programs
    - Opportunities to update classroom technology through the purchase of computers, iPads, and Smartboards