Special Programs

The Special and Federal Programs Department can assist you with the following:

Bilingual Program
Elementary Spanish
English as a Second Language Program
Homeless Services
Migrant Education
Pre-Kindergarten
Safe Schools and Healthy Students Advisory Council Co-Chair
Section 504
State Compensatory Education
Title I-At Risk
Title II- Teacher and Principal Recruitment and Training
Title III- Language Instructions for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students
Title IV- Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities

Midlothian Independent School District offers a wide variety of special programs for the purpose of reducing the achievement gap between all students of the school population.

State, Federal and Student Support Programs focus on funding for strategies that assist students most "at-risk" of failing and/or dropping out of school.  Strategies include: supporting schools in providing direct instruction and necessary support to help them stay in school and be successful, including passing state mandated tests, analyzing programs and data to provide the best opportunities for student success; present program ideas to help schools "close the gap" between successful students and at-risk students; and manage appropriate campus funding.  Programs include: State Compensatory Education; Title I, Part A (No Child Left Behind) Support Services, including Reading, Math, and Science Facilitators; Title III Bilingual and ESL Support Services, Migrant Services; Parent and Community Involvement Programs; Safe & Drug Free Schools & Communities; McKinney-Vento Homeless Services; District Spanish Language Translation Services; Pre-Kindergarten Services; and Section 504.  For more information contact Lisa Knight, Director of Special and Federal Programs at 972-775-8296.

Bilingual

The MISD Bilingual Program provides instruction in the student’s first language to those whose first language is Spanish. Students in Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade who speak or hear Spanish in their home and may have difficulty in English may be eligible.

Bilingual education and English as a Second Language programs are integral parts of the total school program. Such programs use instructional approaches designed to meet the special needs of English language learners.

The goal of the bilingual education program is to enable English language learners to become competent in listening, speaking, reading, and writing of the English language through the development of literacy and academic skills in the primary language.

Download the Brochure in English or Spanish

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English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language (ESL) is designed to provide English instruction to second language learners. Students in pre-kindergarten through high school who speak or hear a language other than English in their home and who have difficulty in English may be eligible.

The ESL program emphasizes mastery of English language skills to enable students to communicate effectively and therefore, participate equitably in school. Integrating language and literacy skills across the curriculum provides students with the opportunity to acquire a high level of literacy and fluency in English while continuing to develop their native language. The ultimate goal of the ESL program is for students to participate successfully in the mainstream curriculum while becoming independent and creative thinkers in an increasingly complex society.
 
The ESL program provides instruction that develops oral and written comprehension and reading and writing in English. An ESL program uses the academic and cultural experiences of the student as a platform to provide the appropriate instruction in English. As the ESL student develops competence in English, he/she becomes more successful in all academic subjects.
 
For questions about the Bilingual or ESL program please contact the campus your student attends or Lisa Knight, Director of Special and Federal Programs, at 972-775-8296.

Download the Brochure in English or Spanish

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Federal Title Programs

Federal programs offered at Midlothian ISD cover a wide range of special population students. Students must meet certain criteria to receive services from Title programs. Title I, in grades K-5 offers extra assistance in basic reading, math and science instruction for students identified as the most at risk. Eligible students receive additional assistance from Title I teachers. These services are provided in addition to the regular classroom. All Title I teachers work with both the identified students and also provide parent informational and training meetings.

Title II funds are utilized in the area of staff development for teacher and principal training and recruitment. Instructional Technology is supplemented with Title II, Part D funds to integrate technology into the classroom. Bilingual and ESL programs are supplemented with Title III funds. District-wide drug awareness and prevention education is covered under Title IV. For more information, contact Lisa Knight, Director of Special and Federal Programs at 972-775-8296.

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Head Start Program

For three and four year olds who meet the criteria, we offer the Head Start Program, which is housed at LaRue Miller Elementary. The purpose of Head Start is to promote school readiness and enable children to obtain their full potential. Questions regarding Head Start should be directed to Michelle Lewis at 972-775-4361.

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Pre-Kindergarten

Midlothian ISD offers a one-half day pre-kindergarten program. To be eligible for enrollment in a pre-kindergarten class, a child must be four years of age on September 1 of the current school year and must be:

- unable to speak and comprehend the English language; or
- educationally disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42 U.S.C.S. Section 1751 et seq.); or
- homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C.S. Section 11302, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child; or
-have a parent that is on active military duty.

For more information, contact the campus the student would attend or Lisa Knight, Director of Special and Federal Programs at 972-775-8296.

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Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program

Title IV, Part A- Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, provides state and LEAs with supplemental funding to develop and enhance education programs targeting violence prevention and drug prevention strategies in elementary and secondary schools for all students and employees.

MISD offers a comprehensive Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program based on the Principles of Effectiveness. The purpose of the program is to support comprehensive drug use prevention and violence prevention programs that address the four goals below:

(1) prevent violence in and around schools;
(2) prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs;
(3) involve parents and communities; and
(4) coordinate with related federal, state and community efforts and resources to foster safe and drug-free schools and communities.

The Mission of Safe and Drug Free Schools:
is to create safe schools, provide drug abuse and violence prevention, thereby ensuring the health and well being of students and promoting development of good character and citizenship.  Midlothian ISD is committed to this mission and has adopted several programs to ensure that the needs of our students, families, and staff are supported.

It is our hope that our students and families partner with us in maintaining a safe and drug free environment in Midlothian ISD.

Child safety guide for parents

For more information, contact the campus your student attends or Lisa Knight, Director of Special and Federal Programs at 972-775-8296.

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Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a broad base civil rights law administered by the Office of Civil Rights, which protects the rights of persons with disabilities. The purpose of the Act and these procedures is to prohibit discrimination and to assure that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to non-disabled students.

Based on evaluation data gathered from a variety of sources, a Section 504 Committee will meet to answer the following questions to determine a student’s Section 504 eligibility:

(1) Does the student have a physical or mental impairment? This is an educational determination only, and not a medical diagnosis for purposes of treatment.
(2) Does the physical or mental impairment affect one or more major life activities?
(3) Does the physical or mental impairment substantially limit a major life activity?
(4) Does the student need Section 504 services in order for his/her educational needs to be met as adequately as those of non-disabled peers?

If all four questions are answered “Yes,” the student is eligible for a free, appropriate public education under Section 504, and an Accommodation Plan should be developed. If any answer is “No,” the student is not eligible for Section 504 services.
 
If you have questions concerning 504, please contact the Section 504 Coordinator (Counselor) at the campus your student attends or Lisa Knight, Director of Special and Federal Programs at 972-775-8296.

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State Compensatory Education

Compensatory Education is a legislatively funded program designed to strengthen educational opportunities for students at-risk of failing and/or dropping out of school. Programs serve students in kindergarten through grade 12. The goal of state compensatory education is to reduce any disparity in performance on assessment instruments administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39, or disparity in the rates of high school completion between students at risk of dropping out of school and all other district students (Section 29.081, Texas Education Code).

Compensatory Education is offered through supplemental classes such as tutorials, RISE (Reading Intervention), TAKS preparation classes, math labs, and disciplinary alternative school classes.

Also provided is support for campus and district compliance with policies and regulations established by federal and state law, the Texas Education Agency, the U.S. Department of Education and local board policy.

Questions regarding Special Programs may be referred to the counselor at the campus where the student attends, listed below, or to Lisa Knight, Director of Special and Federal Programs at 972-775-8296.

The designated person to contact regarding options for a child experiencing learning difficulties or a referral for evaluation for special education is:

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It is the policy of Midlothian Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap in its programs, services, or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.