Title 1

Title I, Part A federal funds provide supplemental academic support to students in need of additional assistance. At the beginning of the school year, the principal and school team identify which students would benefit from this help. They use results and recommendations from assessments, which may include:

• Recommendations from classroom teachers
• State assessments, such as the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)
• District reading and math assessments, such as iReady
• District and curriculum-based assessments
• Math and reading grades from the previous year

The school team helps students who need extra help with their schoolwork. This help may include:

• Extended class sessions or summer school
• Small groups of students working together
• One-on-one teacher support
• Technology tools to help with math and reading
• Communication with parents or home visits
• Professional development for teachers
• Social and emotional support
• Family events focused on math and literacy

Please ask your student's school for more information about these programs.

Title I, Part A includes one of the strongest Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) components among all federal Title programs. Research indicates that Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) in a student’s education is a stronger indicator of academic success, regardless of income level. This is why Title I, Part A programs require active PFE initiatives at every school receiving federal funds to support effective teaching and learning.

Students with parents and families who are involved in their learning are more likely to:

• Learn to read faster.
• Achieve higher grades and test scores.
• Be promoted and take more challenging classes.
• Adapt better to school and maintain better attendance.
• Develop better social skills and behavior.
• Graduate.

Here are some ways families can be involved in education:

• Communicate: Read and respond to all messages from the school or school district as soon as possible.
• Be an Example: Show your student that education is important by reading, going to parent-teacher conferences, and attending open houses.
• Volunteer: Offer your time at your student's school and assist with after-school activities. Support and participate in parent and family events. 
• Learn: Discover how to help your student with schoolwork, homework, and future education plans.
• Get Involved: Join school or parent groups, school improvement teams, Title I, Part A, parent advisory councils, and other parent committees.
• Collaborate with the Community: Engage in activities with other families. Explore and utilize local resources (such as libraries, universities and community centers) to enhance your skills and talents, which can benefit your school. 

The Superintendent or a designated representative will ensure that the District's Title I parent involvement policies, programs, and activities comply with federal law. They will also make certain that the information and reports provided to parents are easy to understand and presented consistently. Additionally, efforts will be made to ensure the information is available in parents' communication language.

The school district will work with parents of students who are in Title I programs. Together, they will create and agree on a written plan for how parents will be involved.

1. The district will include parents from Title I schools in making and reviewing the district's overall Title I plan, programs, and services.
2. The district will provide help, training, and other support to Title I schools. This will help the schools plan and carry out activities that involve parents. The goal is to improve student learning and how well the schools are doing.
3. The district will create activities that help the schools and parents work together better.
4. Work with schools to find ways to get parents involved in programs.
5. Make sure parents are part of a yearly review of the policy. This review should look at how well the policy is helping to improve schools that get Title I funding.
6. Identify strategies to support parents who may face challenges in being fully engaged in their student's education. This includes: a) parents of students who move frequently; b) parents who speak English as a second language or have students learning English; c) parents experiencing financial difficulties; d) parents who may have difficulty understanding or managing current programs and policies due to cultural differences or their own learning disabilities.
7. Use the results of yearly evaluations to create plans for better parent involvement.
8. Include parents in the activities of schools that get Title I funding.

The Board expects its schools to implement programs and services that align with the law’s definition of parent involvement. The Board will continuously review and approve the Title I Parent Involvement Policy for Title I parents.