Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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1. What is Title 1?
2. What are my rights as a Homeless Student?
3. What is ESOL and what are the requirements for it?
4. How do I know if my Child’s teacher is Highly Qualified?
5. How do I access the Districts State Assessment Scores?
6. What is the purpose of the Kansas At-Risk Assistance program?
7. What does the term “additional educational opportunities” mean?
8. Does an at-risk student have to be a free lunch student?
9. What is the definition of an at-risk student and what criteria identify an at-risk student?

Answers

1. Q. What is Title 1?
   • A. Title One is a federal program developed to help all students get a good education and meet academic standards. Title One funds are based on a school’s percent of children from low-income families. However, a student’s economic status does not determine whether he qualifies for Title One services. Title One services can be provided through a targeted assistance program or through a school-wide program, depending upon the percent of students who qualify for free and reduced lunches. Macksville Elementary is a targeted assisted school. It is the goal of the Title One program to assist students who are struggling academically so that they can meet the achievement benchmarks set by the schools and by the state of Kansas. For more information, you may contact the USD 351 district office or the superintendent at super351@usd351.com.
2. Q. What are my rights as a Homeless Student?
   • A. Attendance: As it applies to Homeless Students K.S.A. 72-1046 states that: Any child who has attained the age of eligibility for school attendance may attend school in the district in which the child lives if (1) the child lives with a resident of the district and the resident is a parent or a person acting as a parent of the child; or (2) the child lives in the district as a result of placement therein by district court or by the secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services; or (3) the child is a homeless child. The definition of a Homeless Student: An indication of nighttime residence of students who lacked, at any time during a school year, a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and had a primary nighttime residence that was 1) shared with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; 2) a temporary shelter such as a hotel or motel room or campground; 3) a supervised, publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill); 4) an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or 5) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. For more information see Board Policy JBCA, Homeless Students.
3. Q. What is ESOL and what are the requirements for it?
   • A. ESOL requirements: The district will use a district-wide home language survey to identify every student in the district who has a primary home language other than English. The district then will use the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment (KELPA), normed on limited English proficient students, to determine proficiency in reading, writing and speaking/understanding English for every student who has a primary home language other than English in the district. Students who based on this measure are determined to be limited in their English proficiency, are to be placed in the district’s English Speakers of Other Languages/Bilingual program. This assessment data, along with information on native language ability and past school performance, will be used to set goals for each limited English proficiency student.
4. Q. How do I know if my Child’s teacher is Highly Qualified?
   • A. USD 351 Macksville schools must meet federal regulations related to teacher qualifications as defined in the No Child Left Behind Act. These rules allow parents to learn more about their children’s teachers’ training and credentials. The district will provide this information to parents. At any time, parents may ask: Whether the teacher(s) met state qualifications and license requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching. Whether the teacher(s) received an emergency or conditional license through which state qualifications were waived. Parent may also ask: What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher(s) hold(s), including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration. Parents also may ask whether their children receive help from a paraprofessional. For parents whose child receives this assistance, the district can provide information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications. The district’s staff is committed to helping children develop the academic knowledge and critical thinking he/she needs to succeed in school and beyond. That commitment includes making sure that all of our teachers and paraprofessionals are highly skilled. Parents who have any questions about their children’s assignment to a teacher or paraprofessional may contact the district at 620-348-3415.
5. Q. How do I access the District State Assessment Scores?
   • A. You can look at the Districts State Assessment Scores by clicking on SCORES.
6. Q. What is the purpose of the Kansas At-Risk Program?
   • A. The purpose of the Kansas At-Risk Program is to provide at-risk students with additional educational opportunities and instructional services to assist in closing the achievement gap.
7. Q. What does the term “additional educational opportunities” mean?
   • A. The intent of the At-Risk Pupil Assistance Program is to provide “additional educational opportunities” which are educational services offered to at-risk students that are above and beyond what is offered to all students.
8. Q. Does an at-risk student have to be a free lunch student?
   • A. No, free lunch applications determine the funding while the academic needs determine who is identified and served.
9. Q. What is the definition of an at-risk student and what criteria identify an at-risk student?
   • A. At-Risk student can be defined by one or more criteria. Predominantly, a student who is not working on grade level in either reading or mathematics is the major criteria used. An at-risk student is one who meets one or more of the following criteria: ·
   • Is not working on grade level (i.e. reading and/or mathematics)
   • Is not meeting the requirements necessary for promotion to the next grade; is failing subjects or courses of study. · Is not meeting the requirements necessary for graduation from high school. (e.g., potential dropout)
   • Has insufficient mastery of skills or is not meeting state standards (e.g., is below “meeting standards” on state assessments).
   • Has been retained.
   • Has a high rate of absenteeism.
   • Has repeated suspensions or expulsions from school.
   • Is homeless and/or migrant.
   • Is identified as an English Language Learner.