What is Title I?
Title I is a federally funded program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Through Title I, money is given to school districts around the country based on the number of low-income families in each district. Each district uses its Title I money for extra educational services for children most in need of educational help. The focus of the Title I program is on helping all students meet the same high standards expected of all children.
Under the Title I legislation, schools and families form partnerships to help students who need support in meeting high academic standards.
What Schools/Students are eligible for Title I?
Schools in which the percentage of low-income families is at or above the district average are eligible for Title I services. Schools will be identified as either:
1. Targeted Assistance schools in which students are selected by specific criteria to participate in Title I; or
2. Schoolwide schools with 40% or more children from low-income families. The school is eligible to develop programs to serve all students. Parents and educators decide how Title I will b
e used in a schoolwide project.
Children residing in an eligible school attendance area are considered for participation regardless of their family’s income.
The following Jefferson Schools qualify for Title I funding and services:
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East Elementary - Schoolwide (All students served)
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West Elementary - Schoolwide (All students served)
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Jefferson Middle School - Schoolwide (All students served)
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Jefferson High School - Targeted Assistance
Parent Engagement
In Title I, parents and teachers build a close, cooperative partnership. Parents help to plan and review their school and district Title I program. Local involvement ensures that the program meets the needs of Title I students. Parents are also encouraged to participate in Title I family events that support the joy of learning together. (po2261.02)
Research Shows that parent involvement is critical to student success and student achievement. Parents can positively impact their child’s school success by being positively involved in their child’s school experience in the following ways: (Marzano, 2003)
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Keep the lines of communication open - attend meetings and events, monitor grades
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Participate in the day-to-day running of the school such as working as a teacher assistant, guest reader, or as a volunteer
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Create a supportive “at home” environment. Teach your child in ways that will add to what the teacher is doing
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Be involved in the planning and implementation of the parent involvement program in your school
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Request information about the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher(s) including the degrees and certifications held, and whether the teacher is certified in their respective area of instruction
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Help to decide if Title I is meeting your child’s needs, and offer suggestions for improvement
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Help develop your school’s plan for how parents and schools can work together
Your Right to Know
ESEA directs schools and districts to notify parents about key requirements of a Title I, Part A program.
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Professional qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals who instruct
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Notification if your child’s teacher is not highly qualified
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Individual report card that lets you know how your child is progressing
What is the School’s Role in Supporting My Student’s Success?
In the qualifying schools, staff work to improve the school’s educational program in an effort to increase the achievement of all students, particularly those who are low achieving and thus could benefit from extra support or services. Title I schools are responsible for the following actions:
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Send notifications to parents about the school’s policy in an understandable language and format
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Hold an annual meeting, at a convenient time for parents, to discuss the school’s parental involvement plan, budget, how funding is spent and the rights of parents to be involved
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Develop jointly, with the parents of participating students, a school-parent compact
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Develop/design instruction to reinforce and supplement classroom learning
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Offer parental meetings at various times (schools may also pay for transportation and childcare, when reasonable and necessary)
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Involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of Title I programs, including the school parental involvement policy
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Build capacity by supporting the development of parent advisory councils or parent leadership teams
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Provide information to parents about the state standards and curriculum and how parents can monitor their child’s progress
SDoJ Comprehensive School Improvement Plan
A comprehensive plan for long-term improvement, created with stakeholders and designed to address identified needs.
SDoJ Comprehensive School Improvement Plan
School Parent Compact
Parents will be asked to review the compact. The compact is an agreement between the parents, student, and school to help ensure each child’s academic success. This acknowledges a shared commitment that all involved are going to work together to improve learning. This compact is required by the Federal Title I guidelines.
Required State and District Assessments
Students in grades 4K-12 are annually assessed to monitor progress and identify students in need of intervention and/or enrichment. Please see this link to access the SDoJ assessment calendar and for more information about required state assessments and locally determined assessments.
All parents have the right to opt their child out of state and local assessments. For more information, please contact your building principal.
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