Program Description

Responsible for directing the educational and administrative efforts of the System, through regulations, public policy and the evaluation of academic and administrative processes at all levels. This process is managed by the Secretary of Education, who exercises the executive faculties inherent in his position or when it is understood that it is necessary to safeguard the harmony and the interests of the Public Education System, in accordance with the Department of Public Education of Puerto Rico Organic Act, Act 49-1999, as amended. All educational and administrative actions are circumscribed in the mission of the educational system, which is to guarantee a free, non-sectarian education that develops the capacity and talents of all the students in order for them to be productive, independent citizens, lifelong learners respectful of the law, the environment, and capable of contributing to the common welfare. The main objective of this Program is to achieve the effective and agile coordination of the administrative and fiscal systems, in relation to academic goals, through systematic processes of institutional strengthening.

Public in General

Program Description

The Program is ascribed to the Auxiliary Secretary of Educational Services to the Community. It provides 16 years old to adults, who have not initiated or completed their studies, educational services that respond to their needs and interests, diversifying the offering with flexible and alternative hours that permit them to develop their academic formation. The program offers flexible and alternative hours that allow the students to complete their academic formation. This program includes: Basic and Secondary Education, Conversational English, Exams Unit, Diplomas and Certifications, the Project of Alphabetization, Juvenile Institutions and the Program of Integrated Services to the Communities. Through competitive proposals, eligible qualified providers can offer services in diurnal, afternoon, nocturnal and Saturday schools of adult education. These can be located in community schools of the Department of Education and Public and Private Institutions of proven educational efficiency. Also, in grass-roots organizations of proven educational efficiency, duly accredited correctional and rehabilitation institutions and institutions of higher learning. They can also be located in facilities of public and municipal agencies, consortiums of organizations of proven efficiency with experience in andragogy and any other accredited agency that provides educational services of alphabetization up to the fourth year of high school.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Population served	21,495	21,925	22,363

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

Young people age 16 years and over and adults who have not initiated or completed their studies and want to become alphabetized or obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Program Description

Prepare human resources to strengthen the economic development of the country. Its philosophy is centered on the preparation of individuals who possess the occupational, technical, basic academic, ethical and employability skills that allow them to acquire a job, maintain it and progress in it to effectively contribute to the dynamic society in which we live. The program has over 100 vocational and technical courses in 7 areas. These services are offered in diurnal and evening hours, in accordance with the needs of the clientele in 557 schools with a non-occupational offer. The Vocational and Technical Programs give students the opportunity to participate in industry internships as part of the courses.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Customers served	31,580	31,580	32,600

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

Youths participating in the technological programs at the secondary level.

All students who desire to participate.

Its principal function is to design, produce, implement and evaluate the curriculum of all academic programs and to attend to the needs of all the students in the educational system, promote the ongoing training of teachers and implement and develop innovative, special and individual projects for each academic subject. The curriculums of Spanish, English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies will Fine Arts, Physical Education and Health Education; as well as technology at all levels of the educational system.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Regular normal students	478,484	458,631	437,807

Schools	2011	2012	2013
Elementary Schools (PK-6)	896	865	859
Intermediate Schools (7-9)	215	212	210
High Schools (10-12)	162	166	164
Post-Secondary Institutes	6	6	6
Post-Secondary (Others)	3	3	3
Secondary (7-12)	39	39	39
Second Unit (K-9)	172	169	168
All the levels	15	23	23

Customers

Students and teachers of all Community Schools

Program Description

Act 149-1999, as amended, known as Organic Act for the Department of Education of Puerto Rico, created the Administrative Training and Advisory Institute School. Enable and facilitate the administrative and learning processes that advance and strengthen the schools and districts of Puerto Rico. The program train counsel and support the Regional Directors, Superintendents, Auxiliary Superintendents and Directors of Schools.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Principals attended	500	400	400
Regional Directors attended	0	7	7
School Superintendents attended	55	60	60

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

All the Directors of Schools, Superintendents of Schools and other management personnel.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Guayama Premises	612	588	588
Manati Premises	803	882	900
Ponce Premises	680	677	677
San Juan Premises	711	721	742
Tool and die making workshop	82	93	93

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

Students younger than 25 years old, high school graduates, who have taken the university admissions test; older than 25 who have not taken the test, or transfers from other universities.

Public Schools Maintenance

Program Description

Joint Resolution No. 3 of August 28, 1990, as amended, created the Office for the Improvement of Public Schools of Puerto Rico (OMEP), and ascribed to the Department of Education, to put in place an accelerated Program for the Repair and Beautification of School Installations and the purchase of books, desks, materials and didactic equipment for the teaching process. O.M.E.P. has the following functions:

• Rehabilitation of physical installations
• Beautification of green areas
• Capital improvements to the installations
• Preventive and routine maintenance
• Provide technical advice and monitor compliance with environmental statutes
• Empty the septic tanks at the facilities
• Respond to episodes of vandalism or occasional damage due to inclement weather that requires immediate attention of the physical premises
• Provide technical, design and structural advice
• Pest Control

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Schools attended	1,483	1,472	1,472

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

Public in General

Program Description

Develops extracurricular activities in regular hours incidences of violence, the use of fire arms in our schools. The main goal is prevention and education. Also, campaigns for environmental protection, beautification and ornamentation are developed, encouraging the participation of students, parents, directors, teachers and other members of the community. The Program establishes collaborative links with governmental agencies and/or private institutions and will develop social awareness campaigns that allow for the development of a culture of peace in the schools. In addition, the Security and Protection Program of a minimum of 100 meters around a school installation is included.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Private Guards	2,214	3,125	3,125
School Guards	223	178	178
State Policemen	115	113	113

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

School community and public in general

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Directors with access to the administrative network	1,468	1,474	1,474
E-rate ready schools	1,119	1,449	1,449
Schools with internet access	1,468	1,474	1,474

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

Public in General

Program Description

Provides food service to students in order to promote participation in the nutrition programs. It channels available resources in a way that the participants can enjoy a complementary food service. The program is composed of the State Agency and the School Food Authority.

It is also responsible for the administration of the following seven services: school breakfast, school lunch, summer food, and food for the care of children and adults, federal distribution of donated food, special milk for children and education in nutrition and training.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Breakfasts served	18,754,780	19,243,772	19,243,772
Breakfasts, lunches, and snacks served in the summer program	4,284,587	4,413,125	4,413,125
Lunches served	49,443,507	50,615,881	50,615,881
Snacks served	455,421	475,811	475,811

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

All students of the public education system and some participants of private institutions.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Miscellaneous printed material	1,332,172	1,500,000	1,900,000
Paperbacks	17,850	20,000	21,000
Promotional brochures	103,240	250,000	300,000

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

The principal client is Department of Education itself, although services are offered to other agencies of the government. In the last two years, an increase in requests from other agencies has been registered. The Office of Procurement for Women, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, State Office of Historic Conservation, Department of Treasury, Department of the Family, Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, State Office for the Management of Emergencies and Disaster Administration, Administration of Mental Health Services and Against Addiction, Civil Rights Commission, among others.

Program Description

Provides educational opportunities to children and youths with handicaps, Act No. 51 of June 7, 1996 of Puerto Rico, as amended, known as Act of Integral Educational Services for People with handicaps as well as Federal Law, Public Act 105-17 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) require that efforts are made to locate children and youths with special education needs. At the same time, the right of every disabled child and youth between 3 and 21 years to receive a free and appropriate public education is established.

Under Act No. 51, supra, the Department of Education, as well as other leading agencies has the responsibility to establish strategies to locate and register participants in order to fulfill the needs of these children and youths. At the same time, they establish mechanisms and procedures to divulge the criteria of eligibility, availability of services and ways to access the these services.

Act. No. 51 of June 7, 1996, confers to the Associate Secretary of Special Education (S.A.E.E. Spanish acronym) the autonomy to establish structures and administrative processes that facilitate the offering of required services to persons with impediments up to 21 years of age.

To fulfill this responsibility, strategies are revieewed and updated in a yearly basis comply with the duties and responsibilities assigned through state and federal legislation.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Clientele attended	121,159	126,560	125,560
Students in preschool services	14,681	19,925	19,925
Students benefiting from team assistance	476	0	0
Students integrated into a regular program	99,977	105,877	105,877
Students in the regular measurement program	56,573	56,573	56,573
Students with significant impediments in the program of altering measurement	2,191	2,191	2,191

The statistical data is information provided by the Agency during the budget process for the fiscal year 2012-2013.

All children and youths from 3 to 21 years of age registered with some type of disability

Through the Youth Offenders Program, educational and to post-secondary education services are offered to youth offenders and ex-offenders throught the Corrections Administration. The program aims to qualitatively improve the process of reintegration into the community by means of opening acess to the job market and the offering of general services.

Statistical Data	2011	2012	2013
Customers served	25,550	32,000	32,000
Youth Offenders Program clients served	185	251	251

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Children and youth from the elementary level to the high school, who are high risk for school desertion based on their high school record. Also, youths and adults who are interested in obtaining a high school diploma and/or alphabetization through Act No. 217 of August 28, 2008 and the Alphabetization Program.

The proposed consolidated budget for fiscal year 2012-2013, amounts to $3,552,309,000. This amount includes $2,141,565,000 from the Joint Resolution General Fund, $21,000,000 from Special Appropriations, $10,396,000 from State Special Funds, $56,461,000 in ARRA funds, $1,267,887,000 in Federal Funds and $55,000,000 from Other Income.

Operational expenses reflect a decrease of $106,617,000 when compared to funds assigned in fiscal year 2011-2012 due to a loss of non-recurring ARRA funds and the implementation of an incentivized early retirement program.

Resources from the Joint Resolution of the General Fund will be used for student transportation services, security services at schools, services to students and the "Pruebas Puertorriqueñas".

The amount of $21,000,000 in Special Appropriations was included to increase the number of alternative education program such as: $500,000 for the Saint Gabriel High School to defray part of the educational services offered to students with auditory limitations; $200,000 for "CREARTE", a workshop that offers services to promote interest in the arts and education in children and youths in economically disadvantaged communities; $12,000,000 for the "Alianza para una Educación Alternativa" that provides educational, counseling and other support services; $7,000,000 for the "Proyecto Casa". The project has educational centers that provide psycho-social support and help potential deserters or deserters develop labor skills. These centers work to achieve the Department's goal of providing students the opportunity to become a competitive individual in today's modern society. An additional $300,000 is included for the Rafael Hernández Colón Foundation and $1,000,000 for the Pedro Roselló González Foundation.

Contributing federal programs include: Tittle 1, Grants to Local Educational Agencies, Special Education Grants to States, Special Educational Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and results for Children with Disabilities, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Vocational Education Basic Grants to States and Federal Pell Grant Program.

The amount of $55,000,000 in Other Income is the result of Act 105-2011, as amended, known as the Government of Puerto Rico Accounting Act, which allows the Department to rollover the unused portion of the budget for up to 3 years.