Federal Programs
The goal the City of Satsuma School System to provide the best learning environment that is available to meet the needs of our students. The funds provided by the ESSA legislation supplements our efforts by providing additional teachers and aides to work with struggling learners and supplemental materials for those students who need a variety of strategies to meet the state's standards for achievement. The Title programs described below assist us in meeting those standards. On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a long-awaited overhaul of the federal education law. This law replaces the No Child Left Behind Act. ESSA represents a shift from broad federal oversight of primary and secondary education to greater flexibility and decision making at the state and local levels. This measure reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation's national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. ESSA requires each state to develop a plan that is designed to close achievement gaps, increase equity of instruction and increase outcomes for all students. The state of Alabama is still working to transition to this new law and the SDE committee work will continue throughout 2016, culminating with a final recommendation to the Governor. However, additional information can be found here. You can also find additional information regarding programs for Homeless, Migrant, ESL, and other Federal programs by clicking the links to the left.
Title I - Improving Academic Achievement funds certified teachers and paraprofessionals who work directly with those students who either are failing or at risk of failure. Title I funds provide classroom supplies, reading and math instructional materials, and computer software programs that are used to target the needs of those students identified for services. Non-public school students who meet the same or equivalent criteria for assistance and attend schools that meet the assurances previously listed may also be served through Title I. Satsuma City Schools receives approximately $250,000.00 in Title I funds each year.
Title II, Part A - Preparing and Training High-Quality Teachers and Administrators provides funding for principals, teachers, and paraprofessionals to meet the standards set by the legislation. Satsuma City Schools provides staff development opportunities that are available to all system staff. Satsuma City Schools receives approximately $55,000.00 in Title II funds each year.
Title II, Part D - Enhancing Education through Technology (EETT) is a competitive grant process that funds equipment, software, and staff development opportunities that will improve classroom instruction through the use of technology. Non-public schools may participate in consortia with public schools to develop and implement one of the EETT grants. These schools must also meet the assurances required by the federal government. Currently, there is no funding for EETT.
Title III - officially known as the English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act. The Act states that LEP students must not only attain English proficiency but simultaneously meet the same academic standards as their English-speaking peers in all content areas. Federal funding is provided to assist State Education Agencies (SEAs) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in meeting these requirements. Satsuma City Schools does not receive Title III funds.
Title IV - Safe and Drug-Free Schools provides funding for safety projects at schools and provides materials for events such as Red Ribbon Week. Although funding for Title IV has been eliminated, Satsuma City Schools continues to provide materials for students that cover such topics as Making Healthy Choices, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse, Drug Awareness and Abuse, Violence topics, and Cyberbullying.
Title V - Informed Parental Choice and Innovative Programs provides funding for a variety of training opportunities for parents at all school levels. Satsuma City does not receive Title V funds.
Equity and Comparability
The City of Satsuma Board of Education ensures that all schools in Satsuma receive comparable services from state and local sources. This includes the assignment of personnel (to include teachers, administrators, and staff) and the distribution of curriculum materials and instructional supplies and equipment. This assignment and distribution are based on student enrollment statistics for each school.
Title I attendance area eligibility is calculated based on free and reduced lunch and enrollment data from the first forty days attendance report. Schools are rank-ordered according to poverty level with the school having the greatest percentage of children in poverty ranked first. Title I funds are distributed based on per-pupil allotment multiplied by the number of poverty-level students to all eligible schools. The City of Satsuma Schools also ensures that all persons are afforded equal access to instructional programs. Participation in other selected programs is based on criteria included in Board policy. No student will be categorically denied participation in a program due to gender, race, national origin, color, disability, age, or migrant status, limited English proficiency, Head Start enrollment, neglect or delinquency, or homelessness.
A copy of the District's Continuous Improvement Plan can be found here.
If you would like to become involved in school planning/review committees, or for additional information, please contact Steve Cochran, Director of Federal Programs at scochran@satsumaschools.com
