Student Support Programs
Title 1 - At Risk
Tile I ...
- Is the largest federal aid program in our nation’s schools.
- Requires a high-quality education for every child.
- Provides extra help for those students who need it most.
- Makes certain that all teaching strategies are backed by research.
- Requires teachers to be well-trained and highly qualified to teach.
- Involves parents in their children’s education to provide assistance and a voice.
How do schools qualify for Title 1 Services
To qualify, schools and districts, must have above system average of students living “in poverty.” The district's free and reduced-price lunch numbers are also used as the “poverty indicator.”
Title I provides a variety of services designed to support student success. These include smaller class sizes, extra academic materials, and computer-assisted learning opportunities. The program also promotes parent and family engagement through activities and training, offers additional in-class support for students, and provides professional development for staff to ensure they have the highest qualifications possible to help every child succeed.
For more information, contact:
John Popp, Assistant Superintendent and Federal Programs Coordinator
Phone: 620-793-1500
What can parents do to help?
- Look at your child’s performance and be sure you understand where your child stands in reading and mathematics.
- Talk with your child’s teacher(s) and principal to find out how you and your school can work together to improve your child’s performance.
- Look for the annual School Report Card and be aware of your school’s performance under ESSA.
- Communicate your school’s successes to your community and look for ways to support your school in challenging areas.
- Educators cannot improve schools alone. In Kansas, we’ll reach these high standards through a partnership with parents, local districts, and communities.
Quality Teachers and Paraprofessionals
USD 428 is committed to providing quality instruction for all students, doing so by employing the most qualified individuals to teach and support every student in the classroom.
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires school districts to notify parents of children attending a Title I school of their right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct their child. As a recipient of these funds, Great Bend USD 428 will provide this information promptly upon request. Specifically, you have the right to request the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers:
- Whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grades and core academic subjects they teach.
- Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status because of special circumstances.
- The teacher’s college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
- Whether teacher assistants provide services to your child, and if so, their qualifications.
As a parent, you have a right to:
- Provide suggestions and ideas for the development of the school's Title I plan.
- Receive information in a format and language you understand.
- Conference with your child’s teacher, observe or volunteer at your child’s school.
- Have your student's test results explained to you annually.
- Provide suggestions to and annually receive information regarding family engagement.
- Attend and participate in an annual Title I parent meeting/event.
- Meet at other times in the year in a place and time convenient for Title I parents.
- Receive written notice if your child’s school becomes a school in need of improvement.
- Help design the Title I Parent and Family Engagement Program.
- Receive training in how to help your child succeed academically.
- Provide input for teacher training related to helping teachers increase their skills and understanding of working with parents as equal partners.
- Receive information on the qualifications of the staff teaching your children.
- Receive a description of your school’s Title I services and the school curriculum.
- If you are also a parent of an ESL student, you have the right to receive annual written notice of the different ESL programs available to your child and your right to not participate in them.
- Provide annual feedback on the success of the Title I Parent and Family Engagement program.
- Receive a list of parent resources.
Migrant Program
Kansas Title I, Part C Migrant Education Program
The Kansas Title I, Part C Migrant Education Program provides additional educational support and resources for eligible children of migratory agricultural and fishing workers. The program helps reduce the challenges that can result from frequent moves, ensuring students have the opportunity to succeed and receive the same high-quality education as their peers.
Eligible students may receive supplemental academic support, tutoring, advocacy services, assistance with school transitions, and connections to community resources such as health, dental, legal, and family support services. Program staff also work closely with schools and families to identify student needs, develop educational goals, and promote educational continuity when families move.
Who May Be Eligible?
Children and youth ages 3–21 who have not graduated from high school or earned a GED may qualify if they have moved within the past three years because they, or a parent, guardian, or spouse, sought or obtained temporary or seasonal agricultural or fishing work.
If you believe your family may qualify or would like more information about the Kansas Title I, Part C Migrant Education Program, please contact your child's school office. Staff can help connect you with the appropriate program representatives to determine eligibility and available services.
USD 428 Title Liaisons:
- Chuy Loera, Great Bend High School
- Sara Castruita, Great Bend Middle School
- Shacha Sandoval, Elementary Schools
- Gloria Bogan, District Title Liaison
English Language Learners
English Learner (EL) Program
At Great Bend USD 428, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. Our English Learner (EL) Program provides specialized language instruction and support to help students develop English proficiency while fully participating in classroom learning and school activities.
Our EL teachers work alongside classroom teachers to provide individualized instruction that builds students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English while supporting academic success across all subject areas. We value the diverse languages and cultures our students bring to our schools and partner closely with families to ensure every child feels welcomed, supported, and connected.
Students who qualify for English Learner services receive instruction based on their individual language needs and are regularly assessed to monitor progress toward English proficiency. As students develop the skills needed for academic success, they transition from the program while continuing to receive support from their school community.
Our goal is to empower multilingual learners with the language skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive in school and beyond.
McKinney Vento
Support for Homeless Students
Great Bend Public Schools – USD 428 is dedicated to supporting students and families experiencing homelessness by providing essential resources and ensuring that every student has equal access to education. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in shelters, motels, or sharing housing due to economic hardship, are entitled to crucial services.
Removing Barriers - How We Can Help:
We recognize that families facing homelessness often struggle with meeting basic needs, which can disrupt a child’s education. Our McKinney-Vento liaison works closely with families to ensure they are aware of available resources within USD 428 and the community.
- Identification and Enrollment: Our school secretaries are trained in identifying students experiencing homelessness and refer them to our district-wide McKinney-Vento liaison to ensure they are enrolled quickly and have full access to school services.
- Free Meals and Transportation Resources: Homeless students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. Additionally, we can help navigate public transportation options where available.
- Academic Support: We work to remove barriers that prevent students from succeeding, such as helping them recover credits for courses completed at previous schools, covering fees for coursework, and ensuring they have equal access to educational opportunities.
- Health and Wellness: Assistance is offered to obtain medical records and provide access to necessary health services.
If you or someone you know is struggling with homelessness, please reach out to the school principal or John Popp, McKinney-Vento Liaison, for support. We are here to help ensure that no child’s education is interrupted due to housing instability.
We are committed to the success and well-being of every child. For more information or assistance, contact the District Education Center.
John Popp - McKinney-Vento Liaison, Phone: 620-793-1500
USD 428 District Education Center, 1809 24th Street, Great Bend, KS