Federal Programs
Bridging Gaps, Fostering Achievement
Federal programs at Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS) play a pivotal role in our commitment to inclusive education. These programs provide crucial funding and support, enabling us to prioritize academic assistance for disadvantaged students and ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to the resources they need to succeed. The purpose of this webpage is to inform our community about the various federal programs available within FSPS, highlighting their roles in enhancing educational opportunities and fostering equitable learning environments for every student.
Neglected, Delinquent and Students at Risk (Title I, Part D)
The Neglected and Delinquent Program encompasses two subparts aimed at improving educational opportunities for youth who are neglected, delinquent, or at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system.
Under Subpart 1, the program focuses on:
- Enhancing educational services to help these students meet state academic standards.
- Supporting successful transitions from institutional settings to further education or employment.
- Preventing dropouts and ensuring continued education for students returning from correctional facilities.
Subpart 2 supports programs that collaborate with locally-operated facilities to:
- Provide high-quality education programs preparing students for secondary school completion, training, employment, or further education.
- Facilitate smooth transitions from correctional facilities to educational or employment settings.
- Operate educational programs within local schools for children and youth returning from correctional facilities, including those at risk.
At Fort Smith Public Schools, Title I, Part D funds support students residing in local facilities, including shelters like the Fort Smith Boys Home and Fort Smith Girls Shelter, as well as programs such as Fostering Change For Children. These funds cover expenses for materials, supplies, technology devices, and instructional support from tutors. The program addresses specific needs such as transitional lessons aimed at equipping students with essential skills as they prepare for adulthood.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Felicia Smith
Supervisor of Assessments and Support Programs
Arkansas School Recognition Program
The Arkansas School Recognition (ASR) program provides financial awards to public schools that experience high student performance, student academic growth, and for secondary schools, a high graduation rate.
Arkansas State Code Ann. §6-15-2107 authorizes rewards of an amount up to $100 per student who attends a public school that ranks in the top 5% of all Arkansas public schools in student performance or student academic growth. Also, the state awards up to $50 per student to public schools between the top 5% and the next 5% (schools in the top 6-10%) of all public schools in Arkansas for student performance or academic growth. Student performance and academic growth include high school graduation rates for secondary schools under criteria set forth by the State Board of Education.
In the 2023-2024 school year, two Fort Smith Public Schools (Woods Elementary and Chaffin Middle School) received ASR funding for outstanding performance. Fort Smith Public Schools received $141,200.00 from the ASR Funding.
For more information, please contact:
Title I, Part A
Fort Smith Public Schools operates a Schoolwide Title I, Part A Program across twenty-six campuses, ensuring all students receive a high-quality education and achieves proficiency in academic standards. This initiative targets schools with high poverty levels, providing effective instructional strategies and rigorous academic content.
Title I, Part A offers financial assistance to schools serving children from low-income families. It mandates directing funds to schools with the highest poverty rates. Schools above 40% poverty can implement a schoolwide program, enhancing overall instruction. The program aims to improve student achievement through effective strategies and ensure equitable services for eligible students.
For more information, please contact:
Migrant Education (Title I, Part C)
The Title I Part C - Arkansas Migrant Education Program is a federally funded initiative that supports children whose families move for temporary or seasonal work in Arkansas’s agricultural and fishing industries. These students face unique challenges due to poverty, language barriers, cultural differences, and the transient nature of their lifestyle. The Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program designed to enrich and respond to the educational and health needs of migrant children.
At Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS), the Migrant Education Program is dedicated to ensuring these students achieve academic standards equal to their peers. It provides supplemental educational and health services tailored to meet their specific needs, aiming to help them earn a high school diploma or GED. This prepares them for successful citizenship, continued education, and meaningful careers.
By enriching and responding to the educational needs of migrant children, FSPS strives to enhance their overall academic achievement and well-being, fostering a supportive environment that promotes their long-term success.
For more information, please contact:
Krystle Smith
Supervisor of Special Programs, AP Program Coordinator
School:
479.784.8182 ext. 73514
Families in Transition (Title IX, Part A)
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, also known as Title IX, Part A is a federal law designed to support the educational needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It ensures that these students have access to the same high-quality education as their peers. The act defines homelessness broadly to include children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in shelters, motels, cars, or doubled-up with others due to economic hardship.
At Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS), the Families in Transition (FIT) program implements the McKinney-Vento Act's provisions. The FIT program is dedicated to identifying homeless students promptly and ensuring their immediate enrollment in school. This involves close collaboration among the district FIT liaison and school-based FIT liaisons, along with partnerships with local shelters and service providers. Together, they work to remove obstacles and provide essential services that support the academic success and well-being of every homeless student in FSPS. The goal is to create a supportive educational environment that helps students thrive despite the challenges of homelessness.
For more information, please contact:
Indian Education (Title VI)
The Title VI Indian Education program at FSPS focuses on meeting the educational and cultural needs of Native American students, ensuring they reach state academic standards. We aim to enrich students' understanding and appreciation of their cultural heritage, including art, history, and traditions. Our initiatives include hands-on learning experiences, visits by Native American artists and writers, and educational field trips throughout the school year.
Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded educational programs, this initiative ensures that all students have equal access to educational opportunities.
The Title VI Indian Education Formula Grants program is the largest federal investment specifically designed to address the unique academic and cultural needs of American Indian and Alaska Native children. It supports services that are tailored to their cultural, language, and educational requirements, helping them excel academically. School districts that receive these grants collaborate with parents and local tribes to develop services that enhance and enrich regular school programs.
For more information, please contact:
Krystle Smith
Supervisor of Special Programs, AP Program Coordinator
School:
479.784.8182 ext. 73514