| Summary: | <p>The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) requires that each school district throughout the state employ a licensed administrator serving as the federal programs coordinator, director, or administrator in a full or part-time capacity (Mississippi Department of Education, 2013).</p><p>The federal program director is responsible for the management and implementation of federal funds in public schools. Federal funds are defined by law and used to improve student achievement, enhance teacher quality, increase equity and access to educational resources, and provide innovative strategies for recruiting teachers and improving graduation rates (No Child Left Behind, 2001).</p><p>The work of federal program directors involves a number of activities such as promoting student achievement through strategic planning, administering professional development, providing research-based curriculum and instructional materials, and organizing extended school day and school year tutorial or enrichment learning opportunities for students.</p><p>Federal program directors in Mississippi are required to be properly licensed and endorsed by the Mississippi Department of Educations Office of Teacher Certification
and Licensure (Mississippi Department of Education, 2015).</p><p>In addition to certification, several other factors are associated with the role of the federal programs director. These areas include working knowledge of federal program requirements, legal issues, personnel evaluation, and effective school reform initiatives.</p><p>In terms of educational leadership, the federal programs directors role includes establishing the vision and direction of a school districts federally funded programs, resolving complex issues and problems, and continually staying abreast of new state and federal regulations (Lunenburg & Ornstein, 2004).</p><p>Role definition varies from school district to school district. For example, some federal programs directors may also function as assistant superintendents and are integral members of the district leadership team. Conversely, other federal programs directors may be given leadership roles such as technology coordinator, special education coordinator, or curriculum director.</p>
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