LDOE reports Title 2/4 outreach, distributes trauma kits and piloted flying-classroom STEM program

At a BESE meeting LDOE staff reported updates from the Office of Federal Grantee Relations on Title 2 and Title 4 equitable services for nonpublic schools, described distribution of trauma kits funded through Title 4, and summarized a pilot STEM professional-development event called the "flying classroom."

The presenter said statewide outreach and webinars had engaged more than 90 nonpublic schools and that many schools appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with local education agencies on shared STEM and professional-development projects. The presenter described the trauma kits as part of Title 4 safe-and-healthy services and said kits were sized to serve schools based on enrollment.

Why it matters: Title 2 and Title 4 federal funds support teacher development and school safety. LDOE emphasized that equitable services allocations can be blended or braided across LEAs and private schools to support joint activities, but blending obligates funds to a combined use while "braiding" preserves separate budget lines.

Details from the update: - Trauma kits: Kits were distributed to participating nonpublic schools with quantities based on enrollment; LDOE staff also provided kits for BESE members to keep for emergency preparedness. - Flying Classroom STEM pilot: LDOE described a hands-on STEM event conducted in January that invited nonpublic educators and generated interest in replicating the program at diocesan or regional levels; the presenter said participants asked for more such events and for collaboration between public and nonpublic schools. - Equitable services: Staff explained how Title allocations can be blended (combined and not separable) or braided (separate budget lines used together) to fund shared activities, and encouraged local collaboration and pooling of resources for professional development. - Outreach and follow-up: LDOE said it will continue statewide webinars, provide resource links and coordinate with LEAs and dioceses to expand shared offerings; speakers mentioned possible partners including NASA and local universities for aerospace programming.

The presenter closed by inviting attendees to contact LDOE staff to arrange local or diocesan-level events and to use federal equitable services allocations creatively for joint professional development.

Ending: LDOE said further documentation and photos from the flying-classroom event will be shared at future meetings and posted as resources for interested schools.