OVERVIEW
Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides financial assistance to states and school districts to meet the needs of academically at-risk students. The goal of Title I is to provide extra instructional services, resources, and activities that support students who are identified as those who would benefit from Title I services the most in order to meet the state’s challenging performance standards in mathematics, reading, and writing.
PROVISIONS
So, what exactly does Title I provide?
Students who have demonstrated a need for extra educational assistance receive additional support, such as tutoring and/or intervention programs.
Parents receive an avenue through our parent and family engagement plan to work with their school and district, to assist in planning, and to provide input as a valued partner as we work together to support our shared goal of student academic success. You can view Haralson County’s Parent and Family Engagement Policy here.
Schools can use the funds to provide additional teachers and/or paraprofessionals, additional training for school staff, additional time for instruction, teaching materials, and parent and family engagement activities.
FUNDING
Where do Title I funds come from?
First, the federal government provides funding to each state.
Then, the State Educational Agency send money to qualifying school districts.
Finally, the school district distributes the funds to eligible schools. The number of attending students who receive free/reduced lunch determines the amount the school receives.
What do schools do once they receive the Title I funds?
They identify students who would benefit most from additional educational assistance based on specific criteria. Students do NOT have to be from low-income families to receive Title I services.
Set goals and make plans for improving skills of academically at-risk students in their school.
Measure student progress to determine the success of the Title I program for each student.
Develop programs including intensive support and/or intervention based on their achievement data in order to support/supplement regular classroom instruction.
Districts that receive an allocation of more than $500,000 must reserve at least 1% of their total Title I, Part A allocation (plus transfers) to assist schools with parent and family engagement activities.