ABOUT TITLE I PROGRAMS
The purpose of Title I is to support school efforts to ensure that all children meet challenging academic standards and have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. We accomplish this goal by providing supplementary resources such as additional teachers to lower class size, more technology to enhance instruction and more materials for student use to high poverty schools. These added resources are always in addition to what the district and state provide.
Title I provides flexible funding that allows schools to make site decisions on how to best serve their students. The additional funds can be used to lower class size, extend the school day, purchase technology, fund books or programs for children, hold summer school, or provide additional training for teachers. Title I adds accountability to school administrators to ensure scientifically based instruction and challenging academic content for all children.
F.A.Q.
WHAT IS A TITLE I SCHOOL?
Title I is a federal education program that supports low income students throughout the nation. Funds are distributed to high poverty schools, as determined by the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. The funds can be used to hire additional teachers or teaching assistants, to provide computers or software, to fund before, after and summer school programs, and to purchase additional materials or equipment.
HOW WAS OUR SCHOOL CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN TITLE I?
Our school was selected because of the percentage of our students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and breakfast.
WHICH STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL PARTICIPATE IN THE TITLE I PROGRAM?
Because all of our Title I schools are designated as “school-wide” Title I schools, all children in the Title I schools are eligible for services. When data indicate the need for interventions either because of low performance or at-risk behaviors, any student is eligible for Title I services. Your child may qualify for tutoring, before or after school programs, technology support or a classroom with fewer children. They may also qualify to attend a Title I preschool. In addition, when Title I schools receive additional programs, they are available to all students for which they are designed regardless of their free or reduced lunch status.
HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT MY CHILD?
All children in Title I schools benefit from the additional teachers and assistants. Because there are more adults to help children, all children receive more individualized and small group instruction. The goal of Title I services is to accelerate academic achievement so that all children meet or exceed state and federal standards of performance.
WHAT IS THE SCHOOL/PARENT COMPACT?
A major purpose of Title I is to increase the involvement of parents in a child’s education. Under Title I regulations, all schools receiving Title I funds have developed a compact, an agreement between the school and the parents. The compact is designed to help parents and teachers work together to provide the best possible education for each student. Parents have opportunities each fall to provide input and participate in the School/Parent Compact.
HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED IN MY CHILD’S EDUCATION?
There are many ways to get involved in your child’s education. To begin, Title I funding is based on the percentage of children who qualify for free or reduced lunch. You can help your child’s school by filling out the Federal Lunch Program application online. You can also help by volunteering in your child’s classroom or by serving on the school Community Council. This committee makes decisions about school programs, safety, goals and how funds are used in your child’s school. To volunteer, contact the school office or school principal.