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Title I

Susan Huntsinger, Title I Coordinator
5738 US Highway 25/70
Marshall, NC 28753
Phone: 828-649-9276  Ext. 10105

 

 

Title I, the fundamental component of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), is the nation's largest federal education program. Its primary aim is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education and to achieve proficiency on rigorous state academic content and performance standards.

History of Title I dates back to the enactment of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, which provided federal funding to high-poverty schools to support students who are academically behind and at risk of falling further behind. Services funded through Title I may include hiring reading specialists, tutors, technology assistants, and additional teachers to reduce class sizes; procuring instructional equipment, materials, and supplies; offering parental training sessions; extending the school day; and providing professional development opportunities.

Funding supports both Title I School-wide and Targeted Assistance programs, depending on the proportion of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch and the school's chosen approach. School-wide programs are implemented in schools where at least 40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, based on the number of eligible children. These schools must also undertake a one-year planning process. School-wide programs grant additional flexibility in the utilization of Title I funds, in conjunction with other resources within the school, to enhance overall school operations. Implementation of a school-wide program requires conducting a comprehensive needs assessment, establishing specific goals and strategies to address identified needs, developing a detailed plan, and performing an annual review of the program's effectiveness, with revisions made as necessary.

Components of a Title I School:

  • All Title I schools must complete a comprehensive needs assessment that drives all aspects of school operations.
  • School reform strategies must be implemented to address the identified needs.
  • All instructional staff, including paraprofessionals must be highly qualified according to the criteria set by NCLB.
  • There must be high quality and ongoing professional development for staff to address the needs of the school.
  • There must be strategies in place to recruit highly qualified teachers and place them in areas of greatest need.
  • Parent involvement is a critical and integral part of day-to-day operations in a Title I school.
  • Strategies are in place to aid in the transitions between academic grade levels, as well as school levels, i.e., pre-school to kindergarten and elementary to middle school.
  • Teachers are actively involved in the use of assessments and instructional decisions are driven by data analysis.
  • Title I schools develop specific instructional activities for students identified with the greatest needs.
  • Title I schools coordinate and integrate resources and services from federal, state and local sources.

School-wide Programs:

  • Plan for comprehensive, long-term improvement
  • Serve all students with highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals
  • Provide continuous learning for staff, parents and the community
  • Use research-based practices to develop and implement enriched instruction for all students
  • Use inclusive approaches to strengthen the school’s organizational structure
  • Consolidate resources to achieve programs goals
  • Engage in continuous self-assessment and improvement

 Targeted Assistance Programs:

  • Use Title I funds to focus on helping eligible students identified as having the greatest educational need
  • Use multiple criteria to target these students
  • Allow school staff to determine which services and activities will be provided to which student
  • Limit funding to eligible (targeted) students and the teachers who work with them
  • Provide professional development and parental involvement activities to the staff and families of the targeted students