Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (formerly known as No Child Left Behind, ECIA, ESEA or Chapter 1) is the largest federally funded educational program. This program, authorized by Congress, provides supplemental funds to school districts to assist schools with the highest student concentrations of poverty to meet school educational goals.
How do schools qualify to receive Title 1 funds?
Schools qualify based on demonstrating that the K-12, ages 5-17, membership has a sufficiently high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Schools enrolling at least 40 percent of students from economically disadvantaged families are eligible to use Title I funds for school wide programs that serve all children in the school.
Which children are Title I children?
There is a common misconception that a Title I child is a child eligible for free or reduced price meals, but this is false. Because the Title I program in this district operates at the school level in the form of School wide Programs, there are technically no Title I children in the district; only Title I schools. The children within each Title I school have no designation related to Title I.
How can Title 1 funds be used at the school site?
Title 1 funds must be used to promote:
High academic/achievement for all children;
A greater focus on teaching and learning;
Flexibility to stimulate local initiatives coupled with responsibility for student performance;
Improved linkages among schools, parents and communities.
In general, funds cannot be used to purchase/lease/rent or improve facilities or provide routine transportation costs for the transport of students to and from school or supplant funds the school is already entitled to from other sources.
What is Carroll Elementary’s Title 1 program?
The campus program is a school-wide program, which allows Title 1 funds and resources to be used to benefit the entire campus student population. As outlined by federal regulations, Title I schools with percentages of low income students of at least 40 percent may use Title I funds, along with other Federal, State, and local funds, to operate a "school wide program" to upgrade the instructional program for the whole school. Title I schools with less than 40 percent low income students or that choose not to operate a school wide program offer a "targeted assistance program" in which the school identifies students who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet the state's challenging academic achievement standards. Targeted assistance schools design, in consultation with parents, staff, and district staff, an instructional program to meet the needs of those students. Both school wide and targeted assistance programs must use instructional strategies based on scientifically based research and implement parental involvement activities.
How do campus faculty/staff support the Title 1 program?
Fostering parental involvement is one of the most important components of the Title 1 program. Title 1 campuses are required to complete several specific actions to involve parents. To meet part of these requirements, teachers must hold parent conferences throughout the year. The district provides a parent/teacher conference day to help with this process. During parent conferences, teachers must review the campus parent compact, provide information to parents regarding their child’s achievement and behavior, and educate parents on ways to work with their child to improve achievement. The partnership you build with your students’ parents should be viewed as a valuable tool to increase student achievement. Examples of parental involvement opportunities at Carroll Elementary include fall/spring parent conference, AVID night, Pastries with the Principal, parenting workshops, etc.
How can teachers involve parents? By encouraging volunteers to…
Assist during our daily work time when the students are involved in a variety of activities in their classroom (Centers, Reading Group, and Daily Jobs)
Provide assistance for individual students to meet specific needs (Take a group of students to work on a specific skill or to practice a specific skill - sight words, time, money, math facts, oral reading...)
Compile classroom work and projects
Give short presentations of your choice (e.g. a dentist talking about care of teeth, a baking demonstration, sharing information about a hobby or something of interest.)
Attend field trips
Help students with editing in writing workshop
Listen to students practicing oral reading
Assist in planning special days in the classroom (e.g. Christmas party)
Book Orders (Filling out Classroom Order Form)
Technology Docents - Scanning/saving student work, organizing classroom pictures for website, etc.
Office Helper - Make Copies, Check Daily Work, File Items, Check Books, and Get crafts ready...
Our campus volunteer meeting is held at the beginning of the year. Parents who attend receive campus volunteer guidelines and procedures, including various areas to serve on campuses. It is important to ask parents what kind of things they would like to do and what kind of things they would not like to do. Parents are always encouraged and welcome to assist in areas on the campus.