Federal Programs

Title I

Title I - Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged: Mustang Public Schools has five elementary sites that qualify for Title I services. Services include additional educational opportunities to qualifying students in the areas of math and reading. There are currently twelve teachers and five paraprofessionals who provide these additional services. Funding from this grant pays for teacher and paraprofessional salaries, materials, supplies, required professional development and parental involvement opportunities.

Title IIA

Title III

Title III - English Language Learners: This grant provides services to bilingual students who qualify for English Language (EL) supports. The goal is to ensure that these students master English and are prepared to meet the same rigorous standards for academic achievement as other students are expected to meet. All district sites receive EL services. Currently there are six elementary teachers and three secondary teachers serving students. Funding from this grant pays for materials, supplies, testing and required parental involvement and professional development opportunities.

Title IV

Title IV - Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants: The purpose of this grant is to improve students' academic achievement by increasing the capacity of the States local educational agencies, schools, and local communities. Each will provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; improve school conditions for student learning; and improve the use of technology in order to increase the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.

Title VI

Carl Perkins

Carl Perkins: This federal grant from the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology is used to supplement the District’s ten career tech programs which include Agricultural Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, Marketing, Business and Information Technology, and Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Funding from this grant is used to pay for technology, materials and supplies, and professional development opportunities for teachers in these programs.

Career Tech

Use of Funds

USE OF FUNDS PLAN & AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

The federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) provides coronavirus stimulus relief for public schools. Mustang Public Schools is committed to the Safe Return and Continuity of Services as we enter the 2021-2022 school year and plan to utilize the funds available through ARP. The funds available require 20% to be used to address student learning loss, with all other funds being eligible for any activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in addition to activities to help with the response to COVID-19.

Mustang Public Schools has developed the district Learning Plan, which addresses the Safe Return and Continuity of Services expectations. With the assistance of stakeholders, a plan is in place to provide appropriate in-school opportunities for all students. As we examine the district needs, we have areas to address with the funds provided through the American Rescue Plan. The following information includes the district Use of Funds plan.

Part 1: Strategies for Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19

The 2020-21 school year provided data to support the need for in-person learning at our schools. Students learn and perform at a higher level when they have a structured learning environment with a teacher in a face-to-face setting. While we understand the pandemic could cause continued disruption of services, prevention and mitigation strategies are critical for the continuity of services.

Use of ARP funds may include the integration of services to assist in prevention and mitigation strategies. We plan to purchase devices to provide students learning options in the event of quarantine or school site closure. Implementation of our Learning Management Systems, Canvas and SeeSaw, allow students to continue learning content if they are away from the school site. Teachers provide lesson information and content in the Learning Management System and can provide learning opportunities. The district will continue the successful cleaning and mitigation practices put in place last school year. Plant Operation will also be addressed as it relates to COVID-19 mitigation. We ensure buildings are cleaned and sanitized to limit student exposure to COVID-19; these cleaning and mitigation practices provide a safe learning environment.

Part 2: Strategies for Addressing Learning Loss

The district will reserve 20% of allocated funds under section 2001(c)(1) of the ARP Act to add interventions to address the academic impact of lost instructional time with the implementation of evidence-based interventions. The chance to provide interventions provides a unique opportunity, and we look forward to providing additional supports to our students needing resources for success. We have plans to utilize our ARP funds to implement interventions that will reach students with academic deficiencies. These interventions will be supplemental to our comprehensive learning opportunities provided in the school day by certified instructors. We will continually monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and work to ensure all students in need of intervention receive needed resources.

Extended School year	MPS intends to provide students with disabilities who are at the greatest risk for learning loss an extended school year program. Utilization of programs such as Lexia, ALEKS, etc. may be used to determine learning gaps and/or provide remediation. STAR 360 would enable certified staff to measure growth through progress monitoring.
Social Emotional Learning	Social emotional learning programs and supports will be provided to students as they contend with lost academic opportunities and social experiences that regular school attendance provides. Academic settings that foster positive choices such as Project Connect or enrollment at CCEC may be options for some students.
Technology	Software licenses and programs such as Lexia, ALEKS, etc. and devices may be purchased for student use to remediate and regain academic skills. Students may need support in the development of computer skills to adequately manage devices and the programs MPS will ask them to utilize.

Part 3: Other ARP Expenditures

The use of ARP funds, beyond the 20% dedicated to learning loss, will include items mentioned previously in Part I to address prevention and mitigation of COVID-19. Additional expenditures will contribute to activities authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Expenses may include staffing to ensure opening and maintaining safe schools, technology infrastructure to ensure any distant learning opportunities are successful, expenditures related to plant management/operation, the purchase of property/building to expand opportunities for secondary students, the construction of classroom space for elementary students, provision of quality mental health supports, and expenditures related to the district’s desire to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.

Part 4: Ensuring Most Vulnerable Populations, Unique Needs Are Addressed

Mustang Public Schools will ensure that the interventions it implements, including but not limited to interventions implemented under section 2001(e)(1) of the ARP Act, address the academic impact of lost instructional time. The activities will respond to the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students, and particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and migratory students.

The interventions will be provided to all students and particularly our students disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Those disproportionately impacted include students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and migratory students. Our district is committed to providing needed support and resources for our students that have the greatest need. A braided funding stream will allow the district to maximize services to vulnerable populations.

Students of Low-income Families	The ability to read is the single most important determination for academic success. In conjunction with the LETRS training provided to teachers, utilization of research-based reading programs such as Lexia and assessment tools to monitor growth such as STAR 360, and ACT suite of assessments (PreACT 8/9, the PreACT, and the CCRA ACT), MPS is focused on closing any reading deficits experienced by students.
Students of Color	Salaries and benefits for teaching personnel maybe used for compensating teachers to attend professional development beyond the school day to develop and/or broaden their skills in researched- based interventions. Development of our instructional coaches will allow them to support students of color by modeling for teachers the interventions that have a stronger positive correlation; i.e., correct use of formative assessments. Identified students will be provided an opportunity to receive tutoring and enrichment through an extended school day.
English Learners	The district intends to support English learners in language development and acquisition through researched-based programs such as but not limited to Learning A-Z, Reading Eggs, National Geographics English Insights, etc. Teachers that focus on the needs of the EL student will be provided new devices such as Chromebooks, iPads to support the use of web-based programs.
Children with Disabilities	MPS intends to provide Extended School Year Services to students with disabilities. This may include but may not be limited to employment (salaries and benefits) of certified personnel and the purchase of instructional materials for use by students. Because teachers with very specific certifications are required for instruction within the population of children with disabilities, stipends for teacher recruitment may be made available.
Homeless Children	Transportation is provided and any subsequent costs are paid for by the district. Families are provided support through access to a district liaison that provides social emotional support as well as housing assistance when needed. As the bus fleet is stretched to accommodate social distancing, the district plans to purchase vehicles so that there are no delays in getting these students to school in a timely fashion.
Children in Foster Care	MPS is very fortunate to have a public entity that supports a Students in Need fund financially. The School Counselor Corps grant has made additional assistance available to support the social emotional development of these students in conjunction with social emotional learning programs such the 7 Mindsets.
Migratory Students	Migrant students may need additional support to succeed in school and fill learning gaps. For younger students, growth is measured through standards-based grading. Teachers may be compensated for attending training on the appropriate means to assess whether or not a student has mastered a standard. Assistance through the use of technology may be provided to the migrant student to help fill any gaps in learning as the student transitions from one school to a new school.

Mustang Public Schools is excited about the opportunity to utilize the American Rescue Plan funding. Our students will benefit from the resources and interventions made available with this program. Through the difficulties of the pandemic, we know our students will need additional supports to be successful. Addressing learning loss is desired, and addressing social, emotional health is critical for student progress.

Safe Return Plan

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plans (ARP) Act was signed into law. In it, the U.S. Department of Education is providing an additional $121.9 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III Fund). This legislation will award grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) for providing local educational agencies (LEAs) with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation.

This plan describes how the LEA or district will provide the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services for all schools, including those that have already returned to in-person instruction as per the law.

A district’s plan must include how it will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other school and LEA staff, and the extent to which it has adopted policies or practices and a description of any such policies or practices, on each of the CDC's safety recommendations including: universal and correct wearing of masks; modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding); hand washing and respiratory etiquette; cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation; contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the state, local, territorial, or Tribal health departments; diagnostic and screening testing; efforts to provide vaccinations to educators, other staff, and students, if eligible; appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies or practices; and coordination with state and local health officials.

MPS Safe Return Plan

Spending Plan

USE OF FUNDS PLAN & AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

The federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) provides coronavirus stimulus relief for public schools. Mustang Public Schools is committed to the Safe Return and Continuity of Services as we enter the 2021-2022 school year and plan to utilize the funds available through ARP. The funds available require 20% to be used to address student learning loss, with all other funds being eligible for any activity authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in addition to activities to help with the response to COVID-19.

Mustang Public Schools has developed the district Learning Plan, which addresses the Safe Return

and Continuity of Services expectations. With the assistance of stakeholders, a plan is in place to provide appropriate in-school opportunities for all students. As we examine the district needs, we have areas to address with the funds provided through the American Rescue Plan. The following information includes the district Use of Funds plan.

Part 1: Strategies for Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19

The 2020-21 school year provided data to support the need for in-person learning at our schools. Students learn and perform at a higher level when they have a structured learning environment with a teacher in a face-to-face setting. While we understand the pandemic could cause continued disruption of services, prevention and mitigation strategies are critical for the continuity of services.

Use of ARP funds may include the integration of services to assist in prevention and mitigation strategies. We plan to purchase devices to provide students learning options in the event of quarantine or school site closure. Implementation of our Learning Management Systems, Canvas and SeeSaw, allow students to continue learning content if they are away from the school site. Teachers provide lesson information and content in the Learning Management System and can provide learning opportunities. The district will continue the successful cleaning and mitigation practices put in place last school year. Plant Operation will also be addressed as it relates to COVID-19 mitigation. We ensure buildings are cleaned and sanitized to limit student exposure to COVID-19; these cleaning and mitigation practices provide a safe learning environment.

Part 2: Strategies for Addressing Learning Loss

The district will reserve 20% of allocated funds under section 2001(c)(1) of the ARP Act to add interventions to address the academic impact of lost instructional time with the implementation of evidence-based interventions. The chance to provide interventions provides a unique opportunity, and we look forward to providing additional supports to our students needing resources for success. We have plans to utilize our ARP funds to implement interventions that will reach students with academic deficiencies. These interventions will be supplemental to our comprehensive learning opportunities provided in the school day by certified instructors. We will continually monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and work to ensure all students in need of intervention receive needed resources.

Educational Technology

Educational technology programs such as Lexia Learning Systems for PreK-6, STAR 360 Assessments, Mastery Connect, Imagine Learning Online Platform, FlexPoint Education, ASGI Assessment and Progress Monitoring, and PreACT testing for 9^th grade students will be offered as we continue to address learning loss needs of our students through targeted interventions and instructional support.

Part 3: Other ARP Expenditures

The use of ARP funds, beyond the 20% dedicated to learning loss, will include items mentioned previously in Part I to address prevention and mitigation of COVID-19. Additional expenditures will contribute to activities authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Expenses may include staffing to ensure opening and maintaining safe schools, technology infrastructure to ensure any distant learning opportunities are successful, expenditures related to plant management/operation, the purchase of property/building to expand opportunities for secondary students, the construction of classroom space for elementary students, provision of quality mental health supports, and expenditures related to the district’s desire to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.

Part 4: Ensuring Most Vulnerable Populations, Unique Needs Are Addressed

Mustang Public Schools will ensure that the interventions it implements, including but not limited to interventions implemented under section 2001(e)(1) of the ARP Act, address the academic impact of lost instructional time. The activities will respond to the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students, and particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and migratory students.

The interventions will be provided to all students and particularly our students disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Those disproportionately impacted include students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and migratory students. Our district is committed to providing needed support and resources for our students that have the greatest need. A braided funding stream will allow the district to maximize services to vulnerable populations.

Students of Low-income Families	The ability to read is the single most important determination for academic success. In conjunction with the LETRS training provided to teachers, utilization of research-based reading programs such as Lexia and assessment tools to monitor growth such as STAR 360, and ACT suite of assessments (PreACT 8/9, the PreACT, and the CCRA ACT), MPS is focused on closing any reading deficits experienced by students.
Students of Color	Salaries and benefits for teaching personnel maybe used for compensating teachers to attend professional development beyond the school day to develop and/or broaden their skills in researched- based interventions. Development of our instructional coaches will allow them to support students of color by modeling for teachers the interventions that have a stronger positive correlation; i.e., correct use of formative assessments. Identified students will be provided an opportunity to receive tutoring and enrichment through an extended school day.
English Learners	The district intends to support English learners in language development and acquisition through researched-based programs such as but not limited to Learning A-Z, Reading Eggs, Lexia English, Renaissance Freckle IPADS will be purchased to support our newcomers providing support for the use of translation earbuds and google translate.
Homeless Children	Transportation is provided and any subsequent costs are paid for by the district. Families are provided support through access to a district liaison that provides support as well as housing assistance when needed.
Children in Foster Care	MPS is very fortunate to have a public entity that supports a Students in Need fund financially. The School Counselor Corps grant has made additional assistance available to support students in choices that support healthy mindsets.

Mustang Public Schools is excited about the opportunity to utilize the American Rescue Plan funding. Students benefit from the resources and interventions made available with this program. Through the difficulties of the pandemic, we know our students will need additional supports to be successful. Addressing learning loss is desired continues to be a presenting need.

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