Syllabus for Success: The New Federal Programs Director’s Guide to the First Quarter


Congratulations! You’ve been promoted to the title of Federal Programs Director (FPD), and you are ready to begin your first full school year in the new position. This is an exciting time of the year! The smell of freshly waxed floors in the school buildings is nostalgic, reminding us of our days in the schoolhouse. Teachers are refreshing their themes for the new year and their new students, and you see it on the walls, windows, and doors of every classroom. The local stores are busier now than they were just a few weeks ago as parents hustle to purchase last-minute supplies, shoes that fit, and socks that aren’t worn and filled with holes. In the world of K-12 education, July is our New Year’s Eve. Everyone is filled with excitement and jittery with anticipation.

As teachers prepare their syllabi for their classes, you may be left wondering if there is a syllabus you can follow to be successful in your new role. You have been entrusted with the district’s federal funds. Programming and compliance are on your mind, and you are almost certain that a CT Scan of your brain would show a swollen and brightly lit amygdala. You want to be great in your new role, and you find yourself wondering how one person can do so many things. We have good news to share! You do not need to do this alone. Our educational experts have been in your position, and we have provided you with a first-quarter syllabus for success.

806 Technologies FPD Syllabus for Success First Quarter

Objective
Successfully administer and direct the usage of federal education grant funds for the district

Rules

  • Allowable
  • Allocable
  • Reasonable

Assignments (Always reference your SEA-specific requirements)

July

  • Distribute state assessment results to parents.
  • Review/revise Supplement, not Supplant Methodology.
  • Order supplies/software.
  • Book vendors.

August

  • Meet with Title I principals and staff.
  • Schedule annual Title I parent meetings.
  • Complete Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Policies and Compacts for district/schools.
  • Plan fall activities.

September

  • Distribute Parent Right-to-Know letters and PFE Policies and Compacts.
  • Conduct meaningful consultation with non-public school leaders.
  • Conduct parent-teacher conferences in applicable grades to discuss school-parent compacts. 
  • With the assistance of parents, educate teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals, and other school leaders in the value and utility of the contributions of parents.
  • Provide parents timely notice that the student has been assigned or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet applicable state certification or licensure requirements.

Communication

Maintain communication with stakeholders, colleagues, your state department of education contacts, and vendors.

Participation

If you have not yet done so, join your state’s association for Federal Programs Directors, NAFEPA, and ESEA Network. Participating in these organizations will provide you with updated information on federal education programs and grants.

Need more help?

Our team is here to help you with your federal programs needs. Ensuring documentation compliance in your first year and even beyond can be overwhelming and confusing. Title1Crate is aligned to your state’s monitoring checklist. Reach out today to learn more about how Title1Crate can help you ensure that your school year is a success!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three core rules (Allowable, Allocable, Reasonable) for administering federal education grant funds?

These are the fundamental rules for ensuring compliance and the successful use of federal education grant funds. Allowable refers to whether the cost is permitted by law. Allocable means the cost benefits the specific federal program. Reasonable ensures the cost is necessary and comparable to what a prudent person would pay.

Why is reviewing and revising the "Supplement, not Supplant" methodology important for Federal Programs Directors?

The “Supplement, not Supplant” requirement ensures that federal funds add to (supplement) and do not replace (supplant) state and local funds that would otherwise be used for the same purpose. Reviewing this methodology is important to maintain compliance and avoid potential audit findings.

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