Title I » What is Title I?

What is Title I?

Title I is a part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). Title I is a federally funded program, which provides services to schools based on student economic need. Schools are ranked according to percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunches and are funded in descending order until funds are depleted. Title I is designed to support state and local school reform efforts tied to challenging state academic standards in order to reinforce and enhance efforts to improve teaching and learning for students. Title I programs must be based on effective means of improving student achievement and include strategies to support parent-family engagement..

 

Title I programs are either schoolwide or targeted assistance. Schools must have a 40% free and/or reduced lunch count for students to qualify as a Title I school. In Glynn County, nine of ten elementary schools and four middle schools receive Title I, Part A funds to support their schoolwide programs. Additionally, Morningstar Academy receives Title I, Part A funds to support their targeted assistance program. Funds at each facility are used to hire additional personnel to reduce class size and to purchase supplemental instructional and technological materials to help impact student achievement.

 

Schoolwide programs have plans that address the following ten components:

 

1.  A comprehensive needs assessment of the school
2.  Proven methods and strategies for student learning, teaching, and school management based on scientific research and effective practices
3.  Instruction by professionally qualified teachers
4.  High quality, ongoing, professional development based on scientifically based research for teachers, principals, and paraprofessionals
5.  Strategies to attract high-quality, professionally qualified teachers to high-need schools
6.  Strategies to increase parent involvement, such as family literacy services
7.  Plans for assisting pre-school children in the transition from early childhood programs
8.  Measures to include teachers in decisions regarding the use of academic assessments
9.  Activities to ensure that students having difficulty mastering the proficient or advanced levels of academic achievement standards are provided with effective, timely, additional assistance
10.  Coordination and integration of federal, state, and local services and programs 
 
The instructional program at St. Simons Elementary is designed to provide a supportive learning environment and high-quality curriculum for every student. A strong school-family partnership is a critical link to creating an environment in which students can reach high standards and expectations. Our Student Parent Compact is a written agreement of shared responsibility.
 
Other documents and web pages that pertain to the Title I components are: