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State and Federal Programs

CATEGORICAL FUNDING

Overview of Programs

 

Use of State and Federal Funds within Paso Robles Joint Unified School District

Categorical programs are a major component of our district and site services. Federal and state categorical programs were created by the legislators to serve the special needs of students that are not covered by the general fund regular education programs.  Each categorical program comes with its own program intent, rules, regulations, and exemplary practices. These funds are specially designed to close the achievement gap that currently exists across our Nation and ensure that all students learn to their fullest potential.

These programs are outlined below.

 

If you would like additional information, please call your child’s school or Pam Foster in the Department of Fiscal Services at (805) 769-1000, Ext. 30225 or email at [email protected]. Further information on State and Federal Funding may be found on the California Department of Education Website.

 

PRJUSD CATEGORICAL FUNDING PROGRAM INFORMATION FOR THE 2022/23 SCHOOL YEAR

On an annual basis Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) submits the Application for Funding Consolidated Categorical Aid Programs commonly called the Con Ap. The application is submitted in two (2) parts: Part I, which contains program and demographic information, is submitted by June 1 each year; and Part II, which contains the budget information and additional program data, is submitted by January 31 each year. The categorical programs included in the application are Title I, Part A – Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged Improving, Title I, Part C – Migrant Education, Title II, Part A – Preparing, Training and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals, and Title III – Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students. Essentially, these funds are designed to assist students in mastering state standards.

 

PRJUSD is committed to establishing a true partnership with all facets of the community and values feedback and input.  Parents continue to make positive differences in the lives of the children we all support.  We know from research that participation in your child’s education will not only bring success to your child but other children in the school. Our parents truly make a difference in the lives of our children!

 

PRJUSD is proud and pleased to offer a variety of parent involvement opportunities that improve our overall program.  Depending on the type of categorical funding a site may receive, district or school parent councils and committees are required under certain requirements and guidelines.  Such advisory committees in the PRJUSD include:

 

  • School Site Council (SSC)
  • English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
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  • District Advisory Committee (DAC) and School Advisory Committee (SAC)
  • District Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
  • School and District level School Assessment Review Team (SART)

 

We encourage all parents and guardians to become involved with their child’s education, at the classroom level, the school-wide level as well as the district level. Each school’s Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) describes the school’s basic educational program and the categorical supplementary programs/services that are designed to support student achievement of each and every student.  Parental involvement is a necessary and vital part of developing the SPSA as well as our overall program.  At the district level, parent committees provide input into each of the site’s SPSA and to the District’s Local Education Agency Plan (LEAP).  If you would like additional information on any of the District Parent Councils or Committees, please call your child’s school. The Principal or Guidance Specialist would be happy to assist you, or go: to www.pasoschools.org.  These two school committees meet on a quarterly basis. The committees are comprised of administration, staff and parents. Students are also involved at the intermediate and secondary level.

 

Listed below are several parent committees that assist with categorical programs and funding. For more information, please call your school or go to www.pasoschools.org.

 

School Site Council (SSC):  All schools receiving categorical funds are required to form a SSC. The SSC is composed of parents, students at the secondary level and school personnel.  It is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating the Single Plan for Student Achievement programs. Members serve for two years and are elected by their peers.

 

District Advisory Committee (DAC) & School Advisory Committee (SAC):  The entirety of the SSC acts as the SAC. The SAC serves as an advisory committee for the purpose of advising schools regarding supplemental education programs and acting as a liaison for their school community. They serve to share information and comments both at the district and site level. These education programs are supplemental education opportunities provided to students who are disadvantaged, English learners, foster youth and/or at-risk. The SSC has approved to designate our SSC pursuant to California Education Code (EC) Section 52852 to function as the School Advisory Committee.

 

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC):  All schools enrolling 21 or more English learners are required to form an ELAC. The ELAC is composed of parents and school personnel. The ELAC provides input and makes recommendations to the principal, staff and SSC regarding services for English learners as well as conducts an annual survey.  Members serve for two years.

 

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC):  Whenever there are 51 or more EL students in the district, there shall be a functioning District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).  It is important that each school site ELAC elect a DELAC representative and arrange to have that representative attend every DELAC meeting. Currently the DELAC bylaws require each DELAC representative to be 1) a parent/guardian of an EL or former EL (i.e., a reclassified fluent English proficient student) currently enrolled at the site he/she represents, and 2) elected to serve as the DELAC representative by the site ELAC.

 

The following is an overview of the categorical funding and programs in PRJUSD.  These funds are further discussed and outlined in each school’s SPSA and at the committee meetings.

 

Rationale

General District funds provide support for the District’s base/core curriculum program.  Some children have special characteristics, not reflective of the general school population, that affect their success in the base/core programs. Some come from economically disadvantaged homes; some are educationally disadvantaged or lack English language proficiency because they have a primary language other than English.  Children, such as those described above, require supplemental services and materials not generally provided through the base/core curriculum program. The needs of our children are identified and supplemental services and materials are planned and targeted to meet their special needs. Categorical funds are to be used to provide the financial support to meet these special needs.

 

Philosophy

All PRJUSD schools offer students with special needs the same kinds of high quality learning opportunities and access to the core curriculum in all curricular areas.  Categorical funds are designed to support additional assistance to help students succeed in the regular classroom program (base/core curriculum) and address any learning gaps. The focus is on the effective utilization of supplementary materials, personnel, and staff development.  Staff development activities are used to improve instructional practices and strategies to increase the ability of teachers and other staff to challenge and assist all students to reach their fullest potential.

 

Categorical Program Descriptions

  1. After School Safety and Education Funds (ASES): This state funded and administered program provides three year grant funding to establish or expand after school programs that provide students with academic support and intervention, enrichment opportunities and supportive services to help the students meet state and local standards in core content areas. The purpose of the ASES program is to create additional educational and recreational opportunities for students within the learning community while providing a safe environment for students. The goals of this program are to: 1) improve academic achievement, and 2) provide enrichment opportunities that reinforce and complement the academic program.
  2. Title I, Part A (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged):  A federal-funded program to provide high-quality opportunities for students in high-poverty schools to meet district and state content and performance standards.
  3. Title I, Part A, Title X, Part C, Education for Homeless Children and Youths: Title I, Part A funds provide comparable services to homeless children that assist them to effectively take advantage of educational opportunities as provided to children in schools funded under Title I, Part A. These comparable services shall be provided to homeless children in public and private schools, shelters and other locations where children may live, institutions for neglected children and, where appropriate, local institutions such as local community day school programs. This reservation requirement is not formula driven.
  4. Title I, Part C (Migrant Education Program): A federal-funded program focused on providing services for migratory students and their families.
  5. Title II, Part A (Preparing, Training and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals): A federal-funded program focused on teacher and principal training and recruitment programs.
  6. Title III (Language Instruction for English Learners (ELs) and Immigrants): A federal-funded program focused on assisting school districts in teaching English to limited English proficient students (English learners) and immigrants and helping these students meet the same challenging State standards required of all other students.
  7. Title VI (Indian Education Formula Grant): A federal-funded program focused on helping Native American/Alaskan Native students meet the same challenging state standards required of all other students.

 

The goal of the PRJUSD staff is to create and maintain the best educational environment possible. This can be accomplished with your support and input. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to become more involved in the educational process at your school, please contact your school principal. Your school can assist you in learning more about categorical programs. You may want to become involved in your school’s School Site Council (SSC), English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) and/or attend the Annual Title I Parent Meeting. During the fall each school will send additional information about these activities. At the district level, we encourage you to become involved with our DELAC. We encourage and look forward to your involvement in the programs we offer our learning community.

 

If you have any questions, please call your child’s school or the PRJUSD Department of Fiscal Services (805) 769-1000, additional information may be found www.pasoschools.org.