What does the ATT’s Government Programs Department do? It ensures that our schools receive the Federal funds they are entitled to and that these funds are used appropriately to close the achievement gap and increase student achievement. These funds must be supplemental and not supplant regular school budgets and programs. They must also be secular and neutral, reasonable and necessary. The current programs are part of the Federal program called ESSA – Every Student Succeeds Act.
Federal funds are allocated directly to the state and the state allocates these funds to the local public educational agencies. Chicago Public Schools works closely with the ATT to distribute services/materials associated with these funds according to specific government guidelines. The ATT attends consultation meetings with Chicago Public School officials every month to advocate for its schools and has been doing so for over 30 years. When comparing the funds safeguarded by ATT to other states across the U.S., ATT comes out ahead in its per pupil funding across all Title programs.
Beneficiaries of Federal funds include the Jewish school populations in Chicago and the suburbs, including yeshivos. Funds provide resources to schools, administrators, teachers, and students.
Federal Title Funding secured for 2019-2020 topped $2 million and impacted close to 4000 students and teachers. Since 2000, the ATT has secured and processed over $19 million in Federal Title Funding for its schools!
Specific funding programs that are available are:
- Title I for students experiencing academic difficulties – math/reading remediation, academic coaching, professional development, fine arts, and parent involvement programs,
- Title IIA for professional development of teachers and administrators,
- Title III for supporting materials and tutoring services for limited English proficient students,
- Title IV for technology, program enrichment, and social emotional student health,
- IDEA Proportionate Share for special ed student referrals and services. Over 100 students from ATT schools were serviced for learning disability instruction, speech/language, and social work during the past year.
ATT is proud of its role in these programs. Its schools are appreciative of ATT’s activism on their behalf and the ATT’s expertise in safeguarding the funding year after year.