Title I Information for Families 

Welcome! For specific questions about your child’s programming or instruction, please contact your school directly. 

What Is Title I? 

Title I, Part A is a federal program whose mission is “To provide all children a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.”  It supports programs and customized services to help students meet academic standards and take an active, engaged interest in what they learn and can do. Districts and schools receive allocations based on local needs. Currently our Title I program serves students in Grades K-5 with services and staff at each of our 4 elementary schools: Ash Point Community School, Cushing Community School, South School, and Thomaston Grammar School. 

Who Receives Title I Support? 

RSU 13 participates in Schoolwide Title I, which means that funds are used to help ensure that all students in qualifying schools improve and meet academic standards. Schools use family input to help target use of funds each year to meet school-wide goals. School goals are updated each year. Please contact your child’s school if you would like more information about the current goals. 

In RSU 13, most of our Title I funds are used within our MTSS program (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) for what is called Tier 3 support. When a student is struggling to meet learning expectations in class, teachers respond by differentiating instruction and when needed, begin extra classroom level support (Tier 2 interventions.)  If students continue to struggle they may be referred to Tier 3 by the School Intervention Team (SIT).  Tier 3 interventions are provided primarily by staff funded through Title I. Throughout this process it is critical that students have good attendance so that they are receiving all the extra support that is being planned and provided. Parents are notified at each stage of this process, and if the SIT recommends Tier 3 support, you will receive a letter to sign, acknowledging your child's participation.

Beyond Tier 3 interventions, each elementary school also uses Title I funds to support family events such as math or literacy nights. Schools may also provide other support such as after-school tutoring, at home learning supplies, and /or summer learning materials.  Contact your school with specific questions or ideas. 

How Are Families Involved? 

RSU 13 schools welcome the involvement of parents and families in  Schoolwide Title I programs.  The RSU 13 Elementary Handbook includes the School-Parent Compact, which describes shared responsibilities of the school and the parent and explains how parent-teacher communications are fostered. Parent responsibilities include: 

• Ensuring excellent attendance.

• Participating in decisions relating to my child’s education.

• Contacting my child’s teachers when I have questions or concerns. 

• Staying informed by reading and responding as needed to notices from the school.

• Attending parent/teacher conferences.

• Making sure that homework is completed.

• Monitoring screen time and promoting positive use of my child’s extracurricular time.

• Volunteering in my child’s classroom.

• Becoming involved with my school’s parent organization and serving on parent advisory teams or committees at either the school, district, or school board level. 

What Kind of Support Will My Child Receive in Tier 3? 

Students participating in Tier 3 interventions have personalized learning plans (PLPs) and receive supplemental instruction co-planned with  the school’s Interventionist, a specialist with expertise in math and/or literacy.  The Interventionist works closely with the Classroom Teacher to coordinate instruction, helping to target specific areas of need and address gaps that are interfering with your child's ability to fully access classroom, grade-level instruction.  This may involve the Interventionist  working with your child individually, in small groups where students have similar learning needs, and/or through a co-teaching or push-in model during Tier 1 instruction in the classroom.  Parents are encouraged to stay in close contact with both the Classroom Teacher and the Interventionist with any questions and to support your child's progress. Families should plan to meet with both the Classroom Teacher and Interventionist during Parent/Teacher conferences. 

What If I Have More Questions? 

Your first step if you have questions about your child's learning progress is to reach out to your child's Classroom Teacher.  If your child is in Tier 3, you may also reach out directly to your child's Interventionist.  Call your school or visit the school website if you need contact information. If you have questions about your school’s instructional program, Tier 3 interventions, or ways to volunteer or participate in your child’s education, please reach out to your school principal. If you have other questions or thoughts to share about Title I Programming in RSU 13, please fill out this Title I Family Feedback Form or contact Dawn Jones, RSU 13 Federal Programs Director, at djones@rsu13.org.

Parent Resources & Links

Parent Academy (information to help families support student learning) 

RSU 13 Parent Compact: 2025-26

Family / Parent Feedback Link