Federal Programs

Students experiencing homelessness are provided assistance through the two district Homeless Liaisons. This program’s primary purpose is to ensure that educational programs for students are not interrupted while the are in transition. Additional information can be found at the link on this page.

Students in Transition Program for Homeless Children and Youth

The Students in Transition (SIT) Program originated through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. Reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), this law protects homeless students, mandating equal access to educational programs and services.

Who are Homeless Children and Youth?

Eligible children and youth are students who lack a permanent, stable, and adequate place to sleep at night. This can include students who are living in a shelter, hotel, tent, camper or car, students that are “doubled-up” with extended family members of friends because of financial difficulty, or loss of housing, students who are couch-surfing, and those in “substandard” housing. Students may be part of a larger family unit that is homeless, or may be unaccompanied youth (youth living in a previously stated situation with without a parent or legal guardian).

What can the Students in Transition Program provide?

• Immediate School Enrollment
• Free school meal benefits
• Transportation to and from school
• School Supplies
• Assistance in obtaining vital records
• Referrals to local service agencies and public programs

Why participate?

Students who don’t have stable housing face special challenges when it comes to school success. It is hard to learn if you are worried about your next meal, about staying warm at night, or about where you’ll be sleeping next. Students who frequently change schools or are frequently absent lose out on valuable learning time and often fall behind their peers.

Connect with KPBSD Students in Transition on Facebook

For more information on the SIT Program or to see if you qualify, please contact your local liaison. Homeless Liaisons can help students and families access supports and services to address these challenges.

KPBSD operates a Migrant Education program that provides supplemental support for migrant eligible students and their families. These services help ensure that students do not fall behind academically because of their migratory status.

Migrant Education is a federally funded program which is authorized through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The focus of the program is to identify and provide academic support to those students whose education is interrupted by migratory work. Students who travel more than 20 miles from home for a combined total of 8 days and 7 nights to obtain seasonal work (fishing, logging, or agricultural) are likely to be eligible for program services.

The goal of the KPBSD Migrant Program is to improve the achievement levels of eligible migrant students who have not met state proficiency standards in reading, writing, and mathematics. Other benefits may include free school lunch, tutoring outside the school day, and participation in winter and summer reading opportunities.

Please use this link to access the Migrant Education Form. Return the completed form to your neighborhood school.

What is Title I?

The KPBSD Title I program is made available through federal grants to improve the academic achievement of students in schools of high poverty. The Title I program is designed to help students be more successful in their classrooms, specifically in early literacy. Title I funds are available for teachers, materials, and support services for schools that qualify under ESEA guidelines. Each year Title I funds are allocated to neighborhood schools based on economic need, which is determined through free and reduced lunch enrollments.

Title I Eligibility

Students qualify for Title I services based on academic need. A variety of assessment data is used to target students who are struggling to meet Alaska’s challenging academic standards in literacy. Once students are identified, Title I teachers work with classroom teachers to provide individualized and small group instruction to improve academic achievement. Title I offers individual and small group instruction using a variety of teaching methods and materials. Title I and classroom teachers work closely together to support learning.

• Information and Annual Report on KPBSD’s Title I Pre-K Program
• Generic Application (This must be submitted to the attendance area school.  KPBSD attendance area information is available here.)

Title I Programs

Title I Students generally receive support in the development of early reading skills. KPBSD Title I funds are used for:

• Title I Pre-K
• Title I Teachers and Paraprofessionals
• Intervention Supplies and Materials
• Professional Development
• Family/Parent Involvement
• Extended School (before or after school tutoring)

Title I programs are required to utilize effective, research based instruction, and must also provide evidence that students receiving Title I support are showing academic growth. Such evidence is gathered through regular formative assessments and through annual state standardized tests.

To qualify for enrollment in a Title I Pre-K program children must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2018, and participate in a screening event to determine eligibility. You MUST complete a Pre-K application and schedule a screening appointment for your child at your neighborhood school. Title I Pre-K is offered at the following KPBSD schools: Chapman School, Mountain View Elementary, Nikiski North Star Elementary, Ninilchik School, Redoubt Elementary, Seward Elementary, Sterling Elementary, Tustumena Elementary, and Voznesenka School.

Parent Involvement

KPBSD and Title I place great importance on parent involvement in the education process. Research confirms that when parents are partners in their children’s education the results are increased motivation, higher self-esteem, improved achievement, better attendance, reduced dropout rates, and decreased delinquency.

Parents play a dominant role in influencing a child’s confidence and motivation to become a successful learner. When students see that education is important to the adults in their lives, it becomes important to them as well. The reward for becoming more involved in the education process is a more successful, safe and self-confident student.

Ways to be Involved in the Education Process

• Be a positive role model; stress the importance of a quality education
• Stay in touch with the school – call, e-mail or visit
• Limit appointments and absences during the school day. 
• Take time to review homework – set and enforce homework standards. 
• Offer praise and encouragement
• Create a warm and supportive home atmosphere
• Read a book together. 
• Regularly attend Title I meetings, parent activities, student conferences and other school events.

Resources for Parents

• US Department of Education – Especially for Parents, features checklists, tips, tool kits and more for helping your child.
• PALS (Parents as Liaisons in our Schools) – information and guidance needed in support of their child’s education.
• Alaska Parent Involvement Resource Center – (AKPIRC)  https://alaskaprincipal.org/partners/akpirc/

Websites that offer free educational programs and games

• http://www.brainpop.com
• http://www.crayola.com
• Disney Family
• www.funbrain.com
• http://pbskids.org
• www.starfall.com
• http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html
• http://www.seussville.com
• http://www.storylineonline.net
• http://www.scholastic.com/kids/ – book reviews
• http://scholasticnews.scholastic.com/ – current news source for kids

The KPBSD Title III program for English Learners (EL) is a federal program offering educational services for students to develop his/her fluency in English as effectively and efficiently as possible.

EL Forms

• Home Language Survey (HLS)
• EL Accommodations Form

Standards and Assessment

• WIDA
• Alaska Department of Education – Title III
• Plan of Service

Activities that help ensure a well-rounded education for every student, are funded through Title IV. These activities include providing support to increase access to courses for students enrolled in small schools that lack the staffing to offer broad course offerings, and also address the needs of students who aren’t necessarily homeless, but who at significant risk of dropping out due to trauma or personal crises.

The KPBSD Indigenous Education Program, supports Alaska Native/Native American students for a successful experience throughout their K-12 schooling years. The Indigenous Education Program is designed to assist and support students’ academic achievement, social and emotional development, and cultural awareness in the classroom. KPBSD Indigenous students will be supported and enabled to receive an educational foundation, and given the skills to respond successfully with adults, situations, circumstances, activities and opportunities in school and life.

Funding and Allocations

The Indigenous Education program is funded by the Federal Government’s Office of Indian Education, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education. Annual funding of the Indigenous Education program is based on the number of individual qualifying students enrolled in KPBSD. The KPBSD has approximately 1030 enrolled Indigenous students in the program. Student eligibility for Indigenous Education support is determined solely on the submission of an Indigenous Education OE506 form. 

Kenai Peninsula Native Youth Leaders

The KPBSD started the Kenai Peninsula Native Youth Leadership (KP/NYL) Program to nurture and guide emerging Native Youth Leaders among the Middle School, Junior High and High School students in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

The goal of the Native Youth Leadership program is to provide students the opportunities necessary to learn leadership skills, while having pride in their culture. Leadership skills enhance students’ personal, academic, extracurricular, and tribal-community involvements.

KP/NYL members are encouraged and guided in personal growth while developing leadership skills that are essential for academic and post-secondary career success.

Kenai Peninsula Native Youth Leaders learn to utilize and weave their leadership expertise into both their traditional and conventional lives. Native Youth Leaders honor their culture and are empowered in their diversity. Please click on the following links to learn more: 

Forms

• Consent Form
• Contact Info (Student & Guardian)
• Student Questionnaire
• Enduring Code of Conduct
• Enduring Media Release
• OE 506 Form
• KPBSD Title VI Advisory Committee Nomination Form

This form can be used to address concerns or complaints that arise regarding the delivery of services under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Download ESEA Complaint form