What is Title I?

Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides financial assistance to states and school districts to meet the needs of educationally at-risk students. The goal of Title I is to provide extra instructional services and activities which support students identified as failing or most at risk of failing the state’s challenging performance standards in mathematics, reading, and writing.

What will Title I do for my child?

The Title I program will provide your student with extra educational assistance beyond the regular classroom.

Which schools does Title I Serve?

The program serves students in elementary and secondary (middle and high) schools who have demonstrated that extra assistance is needed. Title I also serves students who attend private schools.

How does our school receive Title I money?

First, the federal government provides funding to each state. Then, each State Educational Agency sends money to its school districts. How much money each school receives is determined by the number of low-income students attending that 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 student in order to support/supplement regular classroom instruction.

What do Title I programs offer?

Title I programs generally offer:

●      Smaller classes or special instructional spaces

●      Additional teachers and aides

●      Opportunities for professional development for school staff

●      Extra time for teaching Title I students the skills they need

●      A variety of supplementary teaching methods

●      An individualized program for students

●      Additional teaching materials which supplement a student’s regular instruction

How can I get involved?

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.

What does research tell us?

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 local and national school/parent organizations

●      Supporting school extra-curricular activities

●      Volunteering at the school

●      Attending parent-teacher conferences

●      Communicating with your student’s teacher regularly, by writing notes, telephoning the school, etc.

●      Keeping your student’s teacher informed about events in his or her life which may affect his/her performance at school

●      Discussing with your student’s teacher and parent organizations other ideas for parent involvement