Federal Title I

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Title I, became law on April 11, 1965. Since then, the law has been amended four times: In 1988, 1995, and 2001 and most recently amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.

Schools: Title I is designed to help students served by the program achieve proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards. Title I schools with percentages of students from low-income families of at least 40 percent may use Title I funds, along with other Federal, State, and local funds, to operate a “schoolwide program” to upgrade the entire school's instructional program. Title I schools with less than the 40 percent schoolwide threshold or that choose not to operate a schoolwide program offer a “targeted assistance program” in which the school identifies students who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet the State’s challenging academic achievement standards. Targeted assistance schools design, in consultation with parents, staff, and district staff, an instructional program to meet the needs of those students. Both schoolwide and targeted assistance programs must use instructional strategies based on scientifically based research and implement parental involvement activities. (from U.S. Department of Education, Title I, Part A)

School-wide Program Components:  There are three required components of a schoolwide program that are essential to effective implementation:

1. Conducting a comprehensive needs assessment that considers the academic needs of children, particularly those who are failing or are at risk of failing, to meet the challenging State academic standards.

2. Preparing a comprehensive schoolwide plan that describes how the school will improve academic achievement throughout the school, particularly for the lowest-achieving students, by addressing the needs identified in the comprehensive needs assessment. This plan may be integrated into an existing improvement plan.

3. Annually reviewing and revising, as necessary, the schoolwide plan using data from the State’s assessments, other student performance data, and perception data to determine if the schoolwide program has been effective in addressing the major problem areas and, in turn, increasing student achievement, particularly for the lowest-achieving students. (from US DOE Title I Schoolwide Non-Regulatory Guidance)

District: The District, analyzing data to assess student needs and planning with available funds, determines the appropriate programs and the grade levels focus upon to improve student achievement. While all buildings in a district may be eligible to be served by Title I funds, the District may concentrate on the buildings with the most significant student need.

The Girard City Schools utilize Title I funds to provide services in each of the following Title I schoolwide buildings:  

• Prospect Elementary School

• Girard Intermediate School

• Girard Junior High School