1.       What is Title I?

ANSWER:  Title I is a Federally funded program that provides financial assistance to school districts to help children meet current educational needs at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels.  The amount of funds given to each district depends on the number of low-income families that is enrolled in the schools. 

2.       What is the purpose of Title I?

ANSWER:  The purpose of Title I is to “ensure that all children have a fair, equitable, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education, and reach, at minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and State academic assessments.”  Section 1001, www.ed.gov. 

3.       How can parents help their children in Title I?

ANSWER:  Title I places great importance on service to children and their families, and on parent involvement in planning the program; monitoring student progress; participating in the program as a volunteer; and evaluating the effectiveness of the Title I program.  Parents are encouraged to become involved with the Title I program by attending parent meetings and workshops and by volunteering time to work with students at home and school.  Parents can help their children be more successful in ways that add to what the teacher is doing.  This can be done by learning more about their school; supporting their children and the school; and making decisions about their children’s education.  Your school can give you ideas on helping your child in each of these four areas. The school is also eager to hear your ideas for getting parents involved in their children’s education. 

4.       What are some typical Title I services?

ANSWER:  Students usually receive Title I instructions in literacy and mathematics.  Planning teams – administrators, teachers, and parents – decide how the federal funds will be used at each school.  Funds can be used to hire additional teachers who focus on reading and/or math.  Some Title I Planning teams may use funds to hire tutors.  Funds are also used to train and support parents and staff regarding topics that will help their students continue to achieve.  Library books, computers and equipment may be purchased with Title I funds (must follow District policy and State/Federal regulations).  Title I funds are used to expand education that children are receiving in regular classroom. 

5.       Do Title I programs need to show results?

ANSWER:  Yes.  Title I programs are required to review whether their instruction is effective.  They need to show that students overall are doing better than they were before.  They also need to show that each child in the program is improving because of Title I services.