Friendzy and Federal Education Programs: What does a school leader need to get started?
FRIENDZY AND FEDERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS: WHAT DOES A SCHOOL LEADER NEED TO GET STARTED
Know your students’ needs and the best programs to meet those needs. If everyone puts students’ and their teachers’ needs first, equitable services, with Friendzy as your partner, will be a huge success!
You reviewed Friendzy’s services and have decided our services are right for your students and teachers. So what now? The federal programs services calendar starts early. The sooner you gather your data and determine your needs, the better prepared you will be for consultation and applications for equitable services.
Equitable services is a cyclical process. This is a nice way to say – it might feel like the paperwork never ends! But if we can help you understand the big picture, the process will flow seamlessly like your school calendar!
Here are the basic steps for equitable services in each program:
Complete an “Intent to Participate Form”
Submit data to generate funds
Submit data to determine eligibility
Submit a needs assessment to request specific services based on data and your goals, with measurable outcomes.
Consult with your LEA on where, when, and how services will be provided based on your allocation
The LEA contracts with vendors, purchases materials, or approves participation in activities before they begin.
Students, teachers, or families begin approved equitable services
Intent to Participate
In the Spring–at the end of the school year, your local school district, aka the “LEA,” should send you an “Intent to Participate Form” for each federal education program. You can do just one or participate in all of them. This includes all four programs from the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA):
Title I: Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged
Title II: Preparing training and recruiting high-quality teachers, principals, and other school leaders
Title IIIA: Language Instruction for English learners and Immigrant students
Title IV: 21st century schools. (Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants and Part B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers)
Once you decide to participate, the LEA will follow up with you as additional information is needed in the Spring, Summer, and fall. This is your time to get ready. If you know what to expect, you will be prepared—even if you get a quick turnaround request from an LEA, which happens from time to time!
Generate Funds/ Determine Eligibility/ Submit Needs Assessments
By definition of equitable services, federal education programs are meant to serve a specific population. You need to identify that population in your school, determine if they are eligible, and suggest services to meet their needs. You have to do this separately and in a different manner based on the federal program. Additionally, depending on the size of your school district’s central office, each program may have a different point of contact.
Title I – Title I is certainly the most complicated of the federal programs, but it is also the largest slice of the federal education program pie. To generate funds, you must submit the results of a home income survey using another tool, such as tuition assistance data. How many of your students qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch? Usually, it's easiest to simply include a home income survey in your back-to-school or registration paperwork for all students.
Then, to determine eligibility for the program, submit Math and Reading academic data for students who you think would benefit from Title I Services. Provide this academic data to the LEA, and they will confirm if the students are officially eligible based on their home address –and assigned public school. The students with academic needs must also be zoned to a Title I Public school to receive services. Again, the LEA will determine that for you.
Title II – funds are generated on a per-pupil basis. The LEA is required to show you how they calculated your allocation. Submit your needs assessment, again, based on data. For example, if you can demonstrate that your students lack math skills, you can suggest evidence-based professional development to meet those needs. This could include coaching, technology, programs for certain student populations (such as students with special needs, English language learners, or gifted and talented students), workshops, or conferences. Your plan should connect these services to the needs of the students and show how you would measure their success.
Title III – funds are generated by the number of students who meet the definition of an English language learner based on a home survey. Again, it is always a good idea to include a home language survey annually in back-to-school or registration paperwork. Your school’s allocation will be determined by the proportionate share of eligible students in your schools compared to the number of students eligible in the entire LEA. You will provide the list of students who are eligible based on the home language survey, as well as any immigrant students. In order to be deemed eligible to receive services, they will be tested by the LEA.
Since this will all be discussed in consultation – collect as much academic data as you can and begin to think about what kind of services these students most need. Once they are determined to be eligible, you will be ready to start services. These services need not be limited to the student – you could suggest professional development for their teacher or family services.
Title IV - funds are generated on a per-pupil basis. The LEA is required to show you how they calculated your allocation. Submit your needs assessment, again, based on student data. Title IV consists of Parts A and B. There should be two distinct allocations, but this focus is on preparing for Title IVA.
Because Title IVA offers a broader range of services, survey or assessment tools could expand beyond academics to mental health, school climate (such as the availability of support services such as nurses, counselors, and school psychologists), and behavior (including bullying). They could include teacher surveys, parent surveys, or school climate surveys.
Needs assessments for Title IVA could consider well-rounded education activities, safe and healthy activities, and technology.
Consultation
Consultation is required by law and is an opportunity to discuss your allocation for each program and where, where, and how services will be provided based on your allocation and your needs assessments.
Remember, all of the above (student count, income or language surveys, needs assessments, service requests) may be requested by the LEA at different times for different programs and by different staff in the central office of your school district. Therefore, if you prepare your documents and anticipate their request, you will be ahead of the game!
Consultation is not a one-time event. Meetings should be ongoing before and during services, and the goal should be to reach a consensus between the LEA and school leaders. But it is the school leader’s job to show up prepared!
In summary, here is the basic checklist to prepare:
Student Counts to generate funds
Total student population
List of Low-Income Families (can be anonymous, but the home address is needed)
list of Students who Speak a language other than English at home
list of immigrant students
List of Students that are low performing academically and their academic data
Needs assessment for each of the four programs that outlines the needs of your students and teachers and the services you think will best meet those needs
Bring your copy of USDE Equitable Services Guidance in case of any disagreements.
LEA Contracts Vendor Services
A key component of consultation is determining who will provide the services. Sometimes, the LEA provides services and sometimes contracts with an outside vendor. This is where Friendzy can be your partner! An important part of the equitable services process is that schools DO NOT contract with or pay vendors directly. Friendzy will provide everything you need to demonstrate the desired services based on your student eligibility and allocation, and you can submit this services plan. Still, ultimately, the LEA will send an invoice or purchase order to Friendzy.
Begin Services!
I know what you are asking! When can we start? Ultimately, that is up to the LEA, but it should be discussed during consultation. Depending on the program, services might start at different times throughout the year. We are eager to begin! As soon as the LEA has approved your school’s services plan in writing, we will get to work!
Is it worth it?
This may seem like a lot. But don’t worry—we are here to help! Once you go through the process, it will all make a lot more sense. As you get to know your LEA and develop a relationship, working together will become increasingly smooth.
Your best bet is to become an expert in federal programs. Be informed and prepared. Know your students’ needs and the best programs to meet those needs. If everyone puts students’ and their teachers’ needs first, equitable services, with Friendzy as your partner, will be a huge success!
This blog was written by Jennifer Daniels, a federal funding expert and founder of The Faithful Citizenship Institute. She is also a consultant and speaker on public policy.
Want additional help navigating federal funding for your non-public school? Connect with a partnership specialist today for a 20-minute program demonstration. No commitment is necessary.
