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.
FEDERAL FUNDS
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 achieve 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.
Financial OAA- Becky Mankins rmankins@fortsmithschools.org
Neglected, Delinquent, and Students at Risk (Title I, Part D)
The Title I, Part D funds support students residing in local facilities, like the Fort Smith Girls Shelter. 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.
Financial OAA- Angel Schmidt aschmidt@fortsmithschools.org
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, and cultural differences. This program is designed to enrich and respond to the educational and health needs of migrant children. 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.
Financial OAA- Dorothy Chandler dchandler@fortsmithschools.org
Title III
Our Title III program is dedicated to ensuring that English Learners (ELs) and immigrant students receive the high-quality instruction and support that they need to succeed. Through Title III funding, we provide:
- Specialized English language development (ELD) instruction to help students build strong listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
- Research-based instructional strategies that promote academic achievement across all subject areas.
- Support for recently arrived immigrant students, including orientation services and additional academic resources.
- Professional learning for teachers and staff to strengthen instructional practices for multilingual learners.
- Family engagement opportunities to help parents and guardians understand and participate in their child's education.
Financial OAA- Dorothy Chandler dchandler@fortsmithschools.org
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. The Families in Transition (FIT) program is dedicated to identifying homeless students promptly to ensure 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.
Financial OAA- Dorothy Chandler dchandler@fortsmithschools.org
Title II
Our Title II program provides grants to state educational agencies and subgrants to local educational agencies to do the following:
- Increase student achievement consistent with the challenging state academic standards.
- Improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders.
- Increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools.
- Provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.
Financial OAA- Emily Williams ewilliams1@fortsmithschools
Indian Education (Title VI)
The Title VI Indian Education program 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. These funds are 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.
Financial OAA- Dorothy Chandler dchandler@fortsmithschools.org
School Improvement Grants (1003)
Section 1003 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires that State Education Agencies allocate funds to local education agencies to support Title I schools identified for improvement to close the educational gap through goals in their school improvement, corrective action, and/or restructuring plans and thereby improve student performance. In 2024-25, Fort Smith Schools received $242,178.08.
Financial OAA- LeAnn Lee wlee@fortsmithschools.org
Title IV, Part A
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as authorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, established Title IV, Part A, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program (SSAE). The overarching goal of Title IV, Part A, is to increase the capacity of state education agencies, local education agencies, campuses, and communities to meet the following three goals:
- Provide all students access to a well-rounded education.
- Improve academic outcomes by maintaining safe and healthy students.
- Improve the use of technology to advance student academic achievement.
Financial OAA- Emily Williams ewilliams1@fortsmithschools.org
STATE FUNDS
Arkansas School Recognition
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 2024-2025 school year, two Fort Smith Public Schools (Woods Elementary and Cavanaugh Elementary) received $36,100.07 in Arkansas School Recognition funds for outstanding performance.
Financial OAA- LeAnn Lee wlee@fortsmithschools.org
Professional Development
FSPS is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning. The professional development program is designed to support our mission and values by developing the leadership potential of all employees. Our professional development program offers classes and workshops in various areas, including instruction, leadership, and technology, for all FSPS employees.
Financial OAA- Angel Schmidt aschmidt@fortsmithschools.org
English Learner (EL)
The English Learner program supports students in developing the language and academic skills needed for success in school and beyond. Through targeted instruction, culturally responsive teaching, and meaningful classroom integration, we help students build proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English-while also encouraging pride in their home languages and cultures.
Financial OAA- Dorothy Chandler dchandler@fortsmithschools.org
Alternative Learning Environment (ALE)
Arkansas ALE supports at-risk students who have barriers to learning in a traditional setting. These funds are part of the state's effort to ensure every district provides an alternative learning environment. Funds are used to operate programs with non-traditional services for at-risk students, focusing on removing barriers to learning and promoting academic and social progress.
Financial OAA- Emily Williams ewilliams1@fortsmithschools.org
Enhanced Student Achievement (ESA)
ESA is a grant provided to public schools based on the concentration of students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Funds must be used for evidence-based programs and purposes aligned with district needs to increase student achievement, reduce achievement gaps, or support student learning. Eligible expenses include:
- Academic supports and interventions (tutoring, curriculum specialists, dyslexia interventions, etc.).
- Behavioral supports.
- Physical and mental health resources.
- Access to post-secondary opportunities (career coaches, concurrent credit course, etc.).
Financial OAA- Emily Williams ewilliams1@fortsmithschools.org
Federal Programs & Strategic Initiatives
Caroline Neel
Director of Federal Program and Strategic Initiatives
