Mississippi Department of Education requires that all school districts are in compliance with state and federal regulations in Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, Title V, Title VI, Title X and other federally-funded grants or programs. Federal regulations require 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). For the purpose of this study, these positions will be referred to as federal programs directors. Federal programs directors are responsible for the management and implementation of federal funds in public schools. The purpose of federal funds are determined by federal legislation and are 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 (NCLB, 2001). The work of federal programs directors includes 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. There are several factors serve as common links between federal programs directors in Mississippi, which further prepare them to meet the responsibilities of this job. Such areas include working knowledge of federal program requirements, legal issues, personnel evaluation, and effective school reform initiatives. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]