Federal and State Legislation has greatly impacted the District and the Department of Grants, Contracts & Compliance.  The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) as well as other mandates/regulations have influenced the following:

• The testing of at least 95% of all students—Regular Education, Special Education and English Language Learners (no exemptions).
• Requirements identifying areas of certification and licensing status for all District teachers.
• Requirements for all District paraprofessionals.
• Federal and State classification of Schools In Need of Improvement.
• Parental rights defining the homeless student and displaced families.         

It is the responsibility of the Department of Grants, Contracts & Compliance to assure that all State and Federal requirements/mandates are implemented.

The Department initiates funding for and manages approximately twenty-five (25) successful programs that supplement the general education curriculum in the District.  These programs total more than $20 million in supplemental funding.  The programs include the following:

• Title 1 – Academic Intervention Programs (AIS) for the at-risk student population
• Title II A – School Improvement and Staff Development
• Title III – ELL
• Title III – Immigrant
• Title IV - Student Support and Academic Enrichment

Other Grant Programs:  Universal Pre-Kindergarten, Teacher Center, Teachers of Tomorrow, Refugee School Impact Grant, School Improvement Grants, Bank Street Education Center, Learning Technology Grants, Empire State After School Grant, McKinney-Vento Grant, VTEA-Perkins Grant, Bilingual Education Grant,  IDEA Section 611 & 619 Grants, 21st Century Learning Centers - Round 7, and My Brother’s Keeper Challenge Grant.