Title III is a supplemental grant under ESEA designed to improve and enhance the education of ELs and provides opportunities for school districts to enhance instructional opportunities for immigrant students and families.
In order to be awarded these funds, school districts must ensure that the ELD Program fulfills the following requirements. The program must:
provide activities & programs that will expand core ELD and academic programs
increase language proficiency and provide equitable access to content
provide professional development for principals, other school leaders, administrators and instructional staff
promote parent and community engagement
consult all stakeholders
ensure teachers in ELD programs are fluent in English
coordinate activities with local Head Start & Early Childhood Agencies
maintain compliance with state law and federal requirements
ensure notification of program for ELs within first 30 days of school year
maintain effective means of outreach to parents of ELs
provide a fair, equitable, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education by monitoring & evaluating it
ensure taxpayer dollars are administered and used accordingly
To ensure compliance with Title III requirements, the ELD Culture and Equity program works hard to ensure that current school district activities increase family engagement and provides opportunities for students, parents, and school and community stakeholders to work inclusively and help improve the education of underserved students.
These activities include:
parent tutorials on parent portal and school district website.
home visits
coordination and/or support of school family engagement activities
support for Early Childhood Centers
improvement of districtwide Spanish translation and interpretation services (See Interpreting/Translating Handbook)
the development of partnerships with Colorado Mesa University, the Adam's State University CAMP program, Migrant Education, Adult ESL classes and other local agencies/businesses
collaboration with the district Hispanic Parent Action Committee
the coordination of EL tutoring services thru the 21st Century After-School Program
monitoring and promotion of the Si Se Puede Award (See Si Se Puede Award Initiative)
the development of professional development on cultural responsiveness
The Si Se Puede award is intended to recognize students who are working hard in the classroom and are growing academically demonstrating extraordinary effort and citizenship. Since 2002, we have made an effort to acknowledge students who are showing outstanding success in the classroom. The “Sí se Puede” (Yes, I can!) award is one way to encourage students to do their best.
Teachers nominate a student with a diverse cultural background based on his/her academic growth, effort, leadership, citizenship, or other accomplishment. Each school presents students with a certificate and a magnetic picture frame with a photo of the student (photo is provided).
Most schools present the awards during a school assembly or home visit. A poster of the award and student picture is displayed at the entrance of the school building as well.
Local businesses donate a tax-deductible donation of $100.00 to print the Si Se Puede award as an ad in the Montrose Daily Press and serves as a way for community organizations/businesses to demonstrate support for at-risk students.