Consolidated Federal Programs
Halifax Elementary Schoolwide Plan (SWP) for Consolidated Federal Programs
Schoolwide Programs Plan (SWP) Stakeholder Input Form
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a CFP SWP?
A Schoolwide Plan (SWP) for Consolidated Federal Programs (CFP) details the goals and measures for school improvement that relate to SWP grant investments. SWP grant investments may use funds from Title 1, Title IIa or Title IV.
Why are you telling me about this CFP SWP?
Federal law requires that we involve community stakeholders in developing the SWP, so we want you to know about it in case you would like to share input.
How does the SWP relate to other strategic plans?
The SWP is a more focused version of our Strategic Plan for Student Success 2022-2027, which was created using our Portrait Vision along with the WSWSU Recovery Plan and WSWSU ESSER III plan. Unlike those plans, the SWP is specific to our school, with more short-term specifics about which strategies we will use to achieve our goals, and more information about measures and resources we will use to support those strategies. Our SWP is 100% aligned with the Windham Southwest SU Strategic Plan for Student Success.
How can I give input?
You can complete the Form linked at the top of this page to offer input.
Assurances connected to our Consolidated Federal Programs
Right To Request Information On Assessments:
Parents or guardians of students in Title I schools (like our school) have right to request information regarding any State or local educational agency policy regarding student participation in any Federal, State, or locally required assessments, which shall include a policy, procedure, or parental right to opt the child out of such assessment, where applicable.
Required State Assessments, administered in spring:
VTCAP (Vermont Common Assessment Plan)
TYPE: SUMMATIVE, to assess proficiency compared to grade level expectations
A computer adaptive assessment of English Language Arts and Math proficiency relative to grade level with open-ended constructed response questions included. Families receive Individual Score Reports in summer after spring assessments. School-wide, WSWSU-wide and state-wide results are released in Fall following spring assessments.
VTCAP English Language Arts grades 3-9
VTCAP Math grades 3-9
VTCAP grades 5, 8 and 11
Alternative VTCAP ELA and Math (for students with certain special needs)
WiDA Consortium Assessments for English Language Learners (required by VT AoE)
WiDA (World Class Instructional Design and Assessment) Screener: for all new English language learners (with another first language and possible limited English proficiency) within 30 days of enrollment to determine needs for services
WiDA ACCESS for ELLs: Annual summative assessment of English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing to inform possible support services
Common Local Assessments
FAST (Formative Assessment System for Teachers)
TYPE: BENCHMARK, to assess baseline and progress that predicts success or risk level for struggle in grade-level learning
All students take FAST benchmark assessments in Reading and Math, which are mostly computer adaptive or timed assessments totalling 20-25min for most students, except younger students who also take some one on one oral assessments with teachers. FAST benchmark assessments predict a student’s risk for struggling to learn at grade level (High Risk, Some Risk, Low Risk or College Pathway).
FASTtrack Reading (grades 2-12)
FASTtrack Math (grades 2-12)
Early Reading (K-1)
Early Math (K-1)
For some students:
CBM (Curriculum Based Measures Reading; for progress monitoring of students with High/Some Risk)
CBM Math (Curriculum Based Measures Math; for progress monitoring of students with High/Some Risk)
WSWSU teachers use FAST assessments along with other classroom assessments to inform discussions of supports and differentiation for students.
IXL (K-8, optional by school)
TYPE: DIAGNOSTIC and/or PRACTICE, to identify gaps in skills or to assign targeted standards-based practice
K-8 Schools and teachers in WSWSU have the option to use the IXL platform to diagnose gaps in students skills (10-20min/week), and/or to assign standards-based practice on a particular learning outcome.
IXL Reading, diagnostic and targeted standards-based practice
IXL Math, diagnostic and targeted standards-based practice
Read Live Naturally (K-8, optional by school for targeted learning intervention)
K-8/elementary schools and teachers in WSWSU have the option to use the Read Live Naturally platform to support students struggling to read at grade level with targeted learning opportunities addressing their specific needs.
TYPE: INTERVENTION for students struggling to read at grade level
Right To Request Information On Teacher Professional Qualification:
Parents and Guardians in our school of have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers, including:
if the teacher has met state licensing criteria for the grade levels and subjects taught,
whether the teacher is teaching under a licensure waiver,
the teacher’s degree major, and
whether their child is provided any services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications.
This may be accomplished for educators by providing parents with access to the “Look Up an Educator” database on the AOE website.
English Language Learners
All English learners will be identified within 30 days of enrollment, and, not later than 30 days after the beginning of the school year (or, for those children who have not been identified as English learners prior to the beginning of the school year but are identified as English learners during the school year, within the first two weeks of the child being placed in a language instruction educational program), the local educational agency shall notify the children’s parents of an English learner identified for participation or participating in such a program.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A TITLE I SCHOOL?
WHAT IS A TITLE I SCHOOL?
Title I is a federal education program that supports low income students throughout the nation. Funds are distributed to high poverty schools, as determined by the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. The funds can be used to hire additional teachers or teaching assistants, to provide computers or software, to fund before, after and summer school programs, and to purchase additional materials or equipment.
HOW WAS OUR SCHOOL CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN TITLE I?
Our school was selected because of the percentage of our students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and breakfast.
WHICH STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL PARTICIPATE IN THE TITLE I PROGRAM?
Our schools is designated as a “school-wide” Title I school, all children in the Title I schools are eligible for services. When data indicate the need for interventions either because of low performance or at-risk behaviors, any student is eligible for Title I services. Your child may qualify for tutoring, before or after school programs, technology support, or summer school. In addition, when Title I schools receive additional programs, they are available to all students for which they are designed regardless of their free or reduced lunch status.
HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT MY CHILD?
All children in Title I schools benefit from the additional teachers and assistants. Because there are more adults to help children, all children receive more individualized and small group instruction. The goal of Title I services is to accelerate academic achievement so that all children meet or exceed state and federal standards of performance.
WHAT IS THE SCHOOL/PARENT COMPACT?
A major purpose of Title I is to increase the involvement of parents in a child’s education. Under Title I regulations, all schools receiving Title I funds have developed a compact, an agreement between the school and the parents. The compact is designed to help parents and teachers work together to provide the best possible education for each student. Parents have opportunities each fall to provide input and participate in the School/Parent Compact.
HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED IN MY CHILD’S EDUCATION?
There are many ways to get involved in your child’s education. To begin, Title I funding is based on the percentage of children who qualify for free or reduced lunch. You can help your child’s school by filling out the Federal Lunch Program application and turning it in at the office of your local elementary school. You can also help by volunteering in your child’s classroom. To volunteer, contact the school office or school principal.
School compact