Title I
The purpose of the federally funded Title I program is to help disadvantaged students meet the same high academic standards expected of all children. Recognizing that the quality of Title I programs depends on the skill of staff, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) emphasizes highly qualified staff and continuous, sustained professional development. Decision-making is centered at the school level with parent involvement as a key component.
Title I distributes funds to schools based on the number of children from low-income families rather than on achievement scores. Title I monies are provided to supplement state and local efforts. These federal funds may not be used in a manner that replaces regular education responsibilities and programs. Title I funds are to be used to create opportunities that extend learning time, and implement accelerated curriculum strategies based on scientifically based research.
All Logan County Schools are school-wide Title One programs. A school wide program must include the following components:
- A comprehensive needs assessment of the entire school based on information on the performance of children in relation to the state content and performance standards.
- School wide reform strategies that provide opportunities for all children to meet the advanced and proficient levels of student performance, use effective instructional strategies, address the needs of all children in the school, and are consistent with the state’s Continuous Improvement Plan and local school improvement plan.
- Instruction by highly qualified professional staff.
- Professional development for teachers and educational assistants (and, where appropriate, pupil services personnel, parents, principals, and other staff).
- Strategies to increase parental involvement, such as family literacy services.
- Plans for assisting preschool children in the transition from early childhood programs to local elementary programs.
- Measures to include teachers in making decisions about assessments. Activities to identify, and ensure timely assistance to, students who experience difficulties. A description of how the school will use resources under Title I and other sources to implement the above components.