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On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed a bill reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The bill has come to be called the "No Child Left Behind" act as its main premise was that no child, regardless of ethnicity, disabilities, socioeconomic level, or language status, should be denied access to educational opportunities that allow them to be successful.
In Johnson County, we are utilizing federal funds to offer our students enhanced educational opportunities by providing highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals to all students in Title I schools and by further broadening our program offerings to students by increasing access to technology, providing more resources in core academic areas, and by affording our teachers and administrators quality, research-based staff development activities which are data driven and sustained over time.
Access the "No Child Left Behind" Act of 2001
Federal Programs in Johnson County Schools:
Title I: Debra Wilcox
Title II-A, C, D; Titles V, VI: Dr. David Timbs
Title III, Title IV: Morris Woodring
Title I - "Improving Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged":
Title I is a federally funded program to support reading and math skills in selected schools as identified by socioeconomic levels. All elementary schools in Johnson County are Title I schoolwide projects. Title I funds are utilized to supplement local and state funded programs. Examples include further reducing class size by hiring additional staff, employing classroom paraprofessionals, providing counseling services to students, funding research-based and ongoing staff development opportunities for staff, and providing additional educational materials and equipment at the school level.
Paraprofessional Requirements:
NCLB requires that all paraprofessionals employed in a Title I school be "highly qualified" by demonstrating proficiency through passing a standardized test or by completing two years of post-secondary education. Employees hired before January 8, 2002, have until the end of the 2005-2006 school year to meet this requirement. Those hired after this date must meet this requirement immediately.
When it become available, Johnson County Schools will offer the online assessment currently in development by Educational Testing Service (ETS). For more information about this assessment, click here: About the ParaPro
ParaPro Assessment Main Site (login required)
Title II-A - "Preparing High Quality Teachers and Principals":
Title II-A funds are utilized in Johnson County to help further reduce the class size ratios at several schools. In addition, Title II-A funds help to supplement staff development efforts to ensure that all Johnson County teachers and paraprofessionals are highly qualified. Staff development activities are planned and implemented K-12 in the core academic areas. These activities are research based and implemented in a fashion that allows our system to evaluate their effectiveness over time by analyzing data from a variety of sources.
Title II-C - "Math and Science Partnerships" :
The ESEA reauthorization specified that $1 billion was to be spent to develop math and science partnerships between universities and K-12 education systems. Johnson County Schools has entered into a 5 year relationship with the "Appalachian Math and Science Partnership" which will total over $22 million. Our school system is one of only nine Tennessee systems to be involved in a partnership funded through the National Science Foundation.
Click here to read a news release regarding the partnership
Appalachian Math Science Partnership
Title II-D - "Enhancing Education Through Technology" :
Title II-D funds are specifically designated for improving technology and for offering teacher technology training for employees. Further infusion of technology into the curriculum and enhanced opportunities for students to use technology in the learning process.
Johnson County School Technology Plan (as specified in Title II-D)
Enhancing Education Through Technology (TN EdTech Main Site)
Title III - "Language Instruction for Limited English Students" :
Title IV-A - "Ensuring Safe and Drug Free Schools" :
Title IV funds in Johnson County are used to support a school based student assistance program through the employment of a school counselor.
Title V-A - "Innovative Programs" :
Title V funds in Johnson County have been designated for technology improvement, research-based educational materials, library media materials to increase offerings, and programs to provide for the educational needs of gifted and talented students.
Title VI-B - "Rural Education Initiative" :
Title VI Rural Technology funds have been utilized to support the continued expansion of technology access to all students in Johnson County.
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