February 2009
Funding Your S.M.A.R.T. Program
Dear Readers,
When you compare costs…financially and personally…for students to be referred for special services, it’s clear that S.M.A.R.T. is a cost-effective way to help bring them to their appropriate grade level and perform at their highest personal level!
To help you to start or maintain S.M.A.R.T. in your school, we’ve compiled a list of funding ideas shared by other schools and principals:
FUNDING IDEAS FOR S.M.A.R.T. TRAINING,
MENTORING & SUPPLIES
• Title I (S.M.A.R.T. is for reading achievement.)
• Title II (S.M.A.R.T. is for professional development of teachers.)
• Title III (S.M.A.R.T. is for professional development of teachers.)
• Title V (S.M.A.R.T. is innovative; Title V can also include professional development and is VERY flexible with what is allowed.)
• Compensatory Funds (Minnesota) – formula funding based on Free & Reduced lunch percentage
• Parent Group funds (Several parent groups, like PTA/PTO’s, have sent teachers for training or purchased equipment for the S.M.A.R.T. Program in their school.)
• State or federal reading funds or grants (S.M.A.R.T. is for reading achievement.)
• Community groups and clubs (e.g., Kiwanis, VFW, etc. Many groups have funded teacher training or equipment. Some, such as the Lions, have a special concern about strong vision, which is also a priority of the S.M.A.R.T. program.)
• Local Foundations – many focus on building strong community and recognize that student performance is a key ingredient for both the short and long term.
• Special Education funds – now 15% can go toward early grade interventions before children qualify. If you have a disproportionately high number of minorities in Special Education, this 15% set-aside is mandatory. Spending on a S.M.A.R.T. K-2 intervention can save thousands of dollars down the road, because many children who would have been referred will no longer qualify!
CHECK www.themlrc.org FOR THE LATEST POSTINGS OF SUMMER S.M.A.R.T. WORKSHOPS AROUND THE STATE AND COUNTRY!
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