APPLICATION FOR Title II, Part AImproving Teacher Quality

APPLICATION FOR Title II, Part A
Improving Teacher Quality

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Transferring Funds (Must be reflected in the FGM System)

Title II, Part A Coordinator	Debbie Huff
Telephone Number	870-653-7557; 903-824-2969
E-mail	dhuff@dragons.k12.ar.us

Please use the boxes to answer the following questions.

Describe the activities to be carried out by the LEA and how these activities will be aligned with challenging State academic standards.

The district will use Title IIA funds to employ an Instructional Technology Facilitator (ITF), certified and and highly effective (0.37 FTE), to provide classroom embedded instruction: 1)that will improve the knowledge of teachers, staff, and principals, in classroom practices that will improve teaching practices utilizing technology that already exists in the classroom and student academic achievement through these effective instructional strategies, methods, skills, and use of challenging state academic content standards and academic achievement standards in preparing students for the state assessments, and 2)carry out programs and activities that are designed to improve the quality of professional development programs that focus on technology literacy promoting professional growth in content areas and instructional strategies. The program implementation is based on the comprehensive needs application.

The IFT will attend conferences for one-of-a-kind opportunities to gain hands-on learning experiences with the latest in education technology solutions. The ITF will provide learning opportunities to equip educators with the skills and knowledge necessary for digital age learning.

Year long professional development opportunities are offered in our district by the ITF based on teacher's need/professional growth plans, school(s) and district goals. The ITF is available to staff all summer to assist in classroom or in offices to incorporate active learning. The ITF collaborates at monthly "tech events" on each campus and central office during the school year; Wednesday's with Wright at the high school, Wired Wednesday's at the elementary, and Techie Thursday at the middle school. The ITF provides coaching and models effect practices daily in the classrooms for teachers/students and offices for administrators and other staff. The ITF is a member of the District Leadership team and participates in all meetings.

Describe the LEA’s systems of professional growth and improvement, such as induction for teachers, principals, or other school leaders and opportunities for building capacity of teachers and opportunities to develop meaningful teacher leadership.

The district will use the Title IIA funds to provide ongoing, job embedded professional development, based on needs as well as professional growth plans, student achievement needs, school(s) and district goals and to provide a model for alternate modes of instruction. The primary focus of job embedded technology professional development will be based on the SAMR model. This activity will assist teachers, staff and administrators in becoming more highly effective in leadership and instructional practices which will help to recruit and maintain highly-effective teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals and facilitators.

Describe how the LEA will prioritize Title II, Part A funds to serve Comprehensive Support Schools, Targeted Support Schools, and schools with a high percentage of children in poverty.

There are currently no schools in the district designated as focus or priority. The job embedded professional development, ITF, will be a district position and will serve all three schools equally. The comprehensive needs assessment and the outside Model School team, identified technology integration as a need for all three campuses. Each campus is close to being 1:1 campus and this support person will give staff and leadership the support and guidance needed to increase student achievement. Modeling methods in the classroom to keep students at the center of educational activities.

Describe how the LEA will use data and ongoing consultation with stakeholders to continually update and improve activities funded by Title II, Part A.

The District Leadership Team meets on a regular basis. Team members consist of the Superintendent, Administrators, Federal Programs Director, School Counselor, ITF, LIF, parents and community representative. All Title IIA funds are used with the intent of improving teacher quality. The District Leadership Team regularly discusses how the district will implement practices of hiring and retaining teachers and administrators who are highly effective, how to improve job embedded professional development and how to increase student achievement. Data will be reviewed on teacher recruitment and retention regularly to determine if strategies and practices being utilized are effective. The Federal Programs Director will report to the Board of Education annually regarding Title IIA funds and school improvement.

The LEA assures that consultation with private schools within the district will occur.

The LEA assures that professional development with Title II, Part A funds will be coordinated with professional development activities provided through other Federal, State, and local programs.

The LEA assures that districts will use Title II, Part A funds to provide equitable access to high poverty and high minority schools.

Section 427 of the United States Department of Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) requires each applicant for funds to include in its application a description of the steps the applicant proposes to take in order to ensure equitable access to, and participation in, its Federally-assisted programs for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs.

GEPA allows applicants discretion in developing and describing the activities that are occurring to meet this requirement. The statute highlights six types of barriers that may impede equitable access or participation: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. Based on local circumstances, LEAs should determine whether these or other barriers may prevent their students, teachers, etc. from such access or participation in the Federally-funded project or activity. The LEA may use information they have obtained through their comprehensive needs assessment process. The description(s) provided need not be lengthy. Information to support as writing your statement may be found here: https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/gepa427.pdf

Statement to ensure equitable access to and participation in Federally assisted programs should be described in the box below:

The Genoa Central School District will take all appropriate measures to mitigate the six types of barriers: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, and age that may impede equitable access or participation.

Title II funds will be used to employ an Instructional Technology Facilitator to ensure that all students and staff have the technology skills and resources needed to strengthen our academic programs and improve teaching and learning through embedded professional development and blended learning. Resources will provided to all teachers and all students, regardless of the six type of barriers listed above, for onsite instruction as well as blended and/or virtual learning.

By typing my name in the space provided, I hereby certify that all facts, figures, and representations made are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Debbie Huff, Director of Federal Programs	4/23/2021
Signature and Title of Authorized Representative	Date

Once this form is complete, please click on the "Save & Send for Review" button located at the bottom of the form. Once ADE has reviewed the form, they will send it back to the district. Please review ADE feedback, make suggested updates, and submit a final copy on Tab 3(Submit Forms/Reports) of the ACSIP dashboard.

ADE Feedback:

MUST ADDRESS GEPA

04/26/2021 - Gail Betts - Recommend approval.

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