SOLSD Title 1 Parent Page - Title information

What is Title?

Title 1 is the largest federal aid program for public schools in the United States. Today, Title 1 is part of the Every Student Succeeds Act, but originated from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty”. This landmark educational bill, passed during Johnson’s “Great Society”, changed the funding of school districts from a local level to a national responsibility. Title 1 provides federal funds to schools with high percentages of low-income students. These funds pay for extra educational services to help at-risk students achieve and succeed regardless of any disadvantages through no fault of their own.

Title I is a federal entitlement program that gives funds to schools in need based on student enrollment, the free and reduced lunch percentage for each school, and other informative data. The US Department of Education distributes Title 1 funds to State Departments of Education that, in turn, distribute the funds to individual school districts. Each school district divides its funding among qualifying schools based on their numbers of low-income children. In addition, under Title 1, participating school districts must provide supplemental educational services for eligible private school students

What is School-Wide Title 1?

Switzerland of Ohio Schools operates a school-wide Title 1 Program. As a school-wide program, this means that FCS may use their funds to improve student achievement throughout their entire school; therefore every child benefits from the added services and programs, not just the students identified as eligible to participate. All of the school staff focuses on upgrading the entire educational program and improving the achievement of all students, in particular, the low-achieving ones. A school improvement plan must be developed and implemented with the involvement of parents, teachers, principals, and administrators.

What is a Parent Engagement Plan?

The district has a Parent Engagement Plan as well as each school in the Switzerland of Ohio School District. The district plan sets the expectation and establishes the framework for parent engagement at each building. A school-level plan explains how each school will involve Title I parents in their child’s education. The plan is available at each building, distributed to parents, the community and can be found on the district website. The Parent Engagement Plans are developed with input from Title I parents. They are reviewed and updated annually.

Why is Parental Engagement a Factor in title 1 Funding?

Parental involvement is a crucial factor in Title 1 legislation. Schools receiving Title 1 funding must implement programs, activities, and procedures that include and promote parent involvement in school-related activities. Schools must also provide opportunities that encourage parents to increase their knowledge and skills as they relate to their child’s education. One of the objectives of these programs and activities is to help parents understand and show them how important their involvement is in shaping the lives of their children in becoming successful and productive contributors to our society

What is a Parent-School Compact?

The parent-school compact states the goals and responsibilities of both the parent and school that are necessary in order to provide a quality education for all students. Each school in the district has a parent-school compact that is distributed to parents and the community. The Parent-School Compact was developed with input from Title I parents. It is reviewed and updated annually.

School Parent and Family Engagement Policies

Woodsfield

St. Sylvester

Beallsville

Powhatan

Skyvue

River

Parent Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) help implement successful and effective parental involvement policies, programs, and activities that lead to improvements in student academic achievement and that strengthen partnerships among parents, teachers, principals, administrators, and other school personnel in meeting the education needs of children.

Projects assist parents to communicate effectively with teachers, principals, counselors, administrators, and other school personnel; and help parents become active participants in the development, implementation, and review of school improvement plans.

Additionally, projects generally develop resource materials and provide information about high-quality family involvement programs to families, schools, school districts, and others through conferences, workshops, and dissemination of materials. Projects generally include a focus on serving parents of low-income, minority, and limited English proficient (LEP) children enrolled in elementary and secondary schools.