The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, and represents good news for our nation’s schools. This bipartisan measure reauthorized the 50-year-old elementary and Secondary Education Act, the nation’s national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. The law provides financial assistance to local educational agencies and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.
The purpose of Title I, Part A is to provide resources to schools and districts to ensure that all children have a fair, equitable and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and close educational achievement gaps.
At Denver Public Schools, our department oversees the Homeless Education Network, Foster and Kinship Care, Migrant and Military-Connected programs. These programs:
Are part of Title I and support the compliance of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Provide supplemental resources, basic need items, and community navigation for parents, guardians and school staff.
Provide direct service and support from liaisons.
Highly Mobile Students Resources for Colorado Council Handbook
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary piece of legislation related to the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Specific provisions ensure the enrollment, accessibility, and educational stability for students lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. HEN supports students to reduce barriers to educational success.
The Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA) authorizations for foster care students went into effect in 2017. We ensure DPS is in compliance with these federal guidelines but we have also worked to increase services to include resources and direct support. We can identify foster or kinship students in formalized out of home placement, which involves child welfare.
The Migrant Education Program (MEP) is a national program designed to meet the unique needs of children of migratory agricultural workers. The program was established in 1966 by an amendment to Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It provides both supplemental educational and support services.
The DPS Military-Connected program was developed as part of the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA). A section of the re-authorization includes adding a military identifier number to students with parents on active duty in the armed forces. We can identify military-connected students and provide supplemental school readiness items as well as emergency basic needs. We can also serve as a resource navigator and liaison between school and home.