Federal Programs

This department coordinates several federal grants in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Education. We also act as a fiscal agent for private schools and other facilities in our physical school district boundaries that accept federal funds. Listed below are some of the federal grants we currently coordinate.

Harrison County School District uses Title I funds in all K-12 schools. This program provides financial assistance to schools to improve the existing state and district-funded programs. Title I funds may provide additional staff, professional development for staff, supplemental equipment and/or supplemental supplies. Each school develops a continuous improvement plan based on needs identified withing the school. The Title I school plans include evidence-based strategies for improving student achi8evement and family engagement. For more information about Title I school plans, please contatct the school principal. 

The school district also acts as the fiscal agent for private schools within the district’s physical boundaries for the use of federal funds. This is done through the “meaningful consultation” cycle in conjunction with the private school. 

Private Schools Equitable Services Dispute Resolution PrivateSchoolsEquitableServicesDisputeResolutionPolicy
 

Harrison County School District receives Title II funds to support content specialists to provide professional development for district staff. The funds are also used to provide evidence-based, high-quality professional development that improves the knowledge of all teachers and principals in the district.

Title III grants are awarded to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to help ensure that English Learners, including immigrant children and youth, attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English; assist all English Learners, including immigrant children and youth, to achieve at high levels in academic subjects so that all English Learners can meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet; assist teachers, principals, and other school leaders, and LEAs to develop and enhance their capacity to provide effective instructional programs designed to prepare English learners, including immigrant children and youth, to enter all-English instructional settings; and promote parental, family, and community participation in language instruction educational programs for the parents, families, and communities of English Learners.

Our district uses Title III money to provide for parent liaisons to engage the parents of English Learners, professional development for teachers to design effective instructional programs for English Learners, and the purchase of supplies to help English Learners meet challenging State academic standards.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) includes a flexible block grant program under Title IV. Title IV, Part A that authorizes activities in three broad areas: 

1. Providing students with a well-rounded education (e.g. STEM, arts, civics, IB/AP, health and physical education).
2. Supporting safe and healthy students (e.g. school mental health, drug and violence prevention, training on trauma-informed practices, health and physical education).
3. Supporting the effective use of technology (e.g. professional development, blended learning, technology devices)
   
   Title IV is used in Harrison County School District to support Advanced Placement assessment, Dual Credit, ACT/ACT Work Keys Assessments and various technology and safety initiatives. 

Please contact the school prinicpal or Melissa Garrison, Director of Federal Programs for further assistance.

11072 Highway 49
Gulfport, MS 39503
Phone: (228) 539-6500
Fax: (228) 539-6507