All three elementary buildings in the Little Falls School District receive federal Title I funds. These funds are used to support student learning needs in the areas of mathematics and reading. Until 2013, the buildings had implemented Title I "Targeted Services." This meant that in order to receive support through Title I, a student had to be identified and have parent approval for this support to begin. The service that Title I teachers could provide to students was thereby limited and students were nearly always pulled out from regular instruction to receive these services. As a result of changes in the regulations surrounding the use of Title I, the schools applied for and were granted the ability to now implement "School-wide Services" instead of "Targeted Services". This means that Title I teachers can serve any student who needs assistance and that Title I funds will benefit all students. Over time, these funds will continue to positively impact core curriculum, in addition to Title I teachers assisting students as needed.
The change to a School-Wide Program instead of continuing with Targeted Services is a result of the district comprehensive needs assessment. This assessment indicated more attention needs to be focused on core instruction in order to ensure all students are making adequate growth and allowing for those in need of additional support to receive a high quality core instruction, as well as a research based intervention.
Through this process, all students in the three elementary buildings are now "Title I" students and funds are dispersed based on per pupil units. Through family engagement activities, information regarding Title I is shared out with families.