Federal Programs


	Department of Federal Programs
Lydia Leggett, Director 228.865.4670 Click HERE to see a list of Supplemental Educational Services Providers	About Federal Programs This department of the Gulfport School District is primarily responsible for all aspects of federal programs. On January 8, 2002 President Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001---the most sweeping reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) since ESEA was enacted in 1965. It redefines the federal role in K-2 education and will help close the achievement gap between the disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. It is based on the four basic principles: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work. The No Child Left Behind website provides more information. The Federal Programs department of the Gulfport School District also aspires to serve as the model to assist schools in removing the bonds of failure by implementing programs to educate our children, so they achieve and exceed the state’s challenging academic standards and become productive members of society. Some of the major components for any Title I school are: Ensuring that planning for service to students is incorporated into the existing school planning process; Using effective instructional strategies that give primary consideration to increasing the amount and quality of learning time and providing a high quality curriculum; Providing instruction by highly qualified staff; (You may request qualifications of staff, if desired) Providing opportunities for high-quality professional development; and Providing strategies to increase parental involvement.
Title I Basic This program provides financial assistance through State educational agencies to local educational agencies and public schools with high numbers or percentages of poor children to help ensure that all children meet challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards. Title I funds generally offer smaller classes or special instructional space, additional teachers and aides, opportunities for professional development for school staff, extra time for teaching Title I students the skills they need, a variety of supplementary teaching methods, an individualized program for students, and additional teaching material which supplement regular instruction. Title I ARRA The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funds are used to assist schools in recovering from economic down-turn by improving programmatic offerings in schools. Title II - High Quality Teachers and Principals The purpose of Title II, Part A is to help increase the academic achievement of all students by helping schools and school districts ensure that all teachers are highly qualified to teach. Title II, Part A replaced the Eisenhower Professional Development and the Class-Size Reduction programs. . Title III These purpose of these funds is to promote high quality education for English Language Learners by ensuring that limited English proficient children, including immigrant children and youth, master English and meet the same rigorous standards for academic achievement as all children are expected to meet, including meeting challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards by developing high-quality language instruction educational programs. Title IV Safe and Drug Free Schools funds are used to support efforts to provide a safe learning environment for students. Title X, Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Act Title X funds are used to provide activities for, and services to, homeless children and youth including preschool-age children that enable these children and youth to enroll, attend, and succeed in school. Grants for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program are awarded to local educational agencies on a competitive and yearly basis. For more information, please visit http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/innovative_support/index.html

The mission of the Gulfport School District is to inspire each student to become a problem solver, lifelong learner, and productive member of society.

Gulfport School District • 2001 Pass Road • Gulfport, MS 39501 • 228.865.4600