The Federal Programs department manages federal money in an effort to ensure that all students have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.   There is a focus on all students, at a minimum, meeting proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and state assessments. Federal money is directed to students who are most at-risk of failing to meet these standards, especially those who are adversely affected by poverty. The goal is to close the achievement gap between high- and low-performing students, especially the gap between disadvantaged children and their more advantaged peers.