Title I is a federal program that provides funding to local school districts to improve the academic achievement of educationally at risk students. The goal of Title I is to provide extra instructional services and activities that support students struggling to make academic growth.
The Title I program will provide your student with extra educational assistance beyond the regular classroom.
The federal program serves students in elementary and secondary schools who have demonstrated that extra assistance is needed. Title I also serves students who attend private schools.
In our school district, Gockley, Steckel, and Zephyr Elementary receive targeted assistance in grades K-5.
First, the federal government provides funding to each state. Then, each State Educational Agency sends money to its school districts. How much money is received is determined by the number of low-income students attending the school. Finally, Title I schools:
Identify the students at their school who need the most educational assistance based on the criteria that school has chosen. Students do NOT have to be from low-income families to receive Title I services.
Set goals for improving the skills of educationally disadvantaged students at their school.
Measure student progress to determine the success of the Title I program for each student.
Develop programs for each individual in order to support/supplement regular classroom instruction.
Title I programs generally offer:
Smaller classes or special instructional spaces
Additional teachers and para-professionals
Opportunities for professional development for school staff
Extra time for teaching Title I students the skills they need
A variety of supplementary teaching methods
Additional teaching materials which supplement a student's regular instruction
Parents, you can influence the success of your student in school more than any teacher or federal program. By becoming an active participant in the Title I parent involvement plan at your school, you will:
Serve as a role model, showing your student that you support his/her education.
Assure that you are aware of your student's educational progress, thereby demonstrating how important that progress is to you.
Teach your student that your input at the school is appreciated and that you support its efforts.
Research shows that how well students do in school depends a great deal upon how much their parents get involved in their education. You can become more involved by:
Joining our local school/parent organization
Serving on the Title I Parent Advisory Committee
Supporting school extra-curricular activities
Volunteering at the school
Attending parent-teacher conferences and Title I parent meetings
Communicating with your student's teacher regularly by writing notes, telephoning the school, etc.
Keeping your student's teacher(s) informed about events in his or her life that may affect his/her performance at school