Understanding the Title I Program

Renee Palakovic Director of Planning Division of Consolidated Planning & Monitoring (615)

 Funding for Title I and the intent and purpose of the program  Allocation of funds to LEAs and schools  Types of Title I programs to be administered in eligible schools  School-level plans and expenditure of funds  Required activities  Questions Session Overview 3

 Title I is the largest federal compensatory education program in the nation.  Nationally, approximately $15 billion is appropriated annually.  Tennessee receives approximately $300 million each year. Title I Funding Overview 4

 Title I, Part A funds are formula funds allocated to LEAs in order to: –provide supplemental educational opportunities for children living in high poverty areas and most at risk of failing to meet the state’s challenging academic and achievement standards; and –provide school-based programs and services to address identified student needs. Program Purposes 5

 Title I funds must be: –Supplemental to existing funds available to participating students –Awarded to the highest-poverty schools –Utilized to meet the educational needs of the most at-risk students in participating schools –Expended in support of school-level activities designed to meet the identified needs of students as part of the school planning process –Shared equitably with eligible non-public school students in order to provide services Key Program Tenets 6

Allocations to LEAs

 Title I eligibility and allocations based on: –Census Poverty –Neglected & Delinquent Youth –Foster Children –Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)  The total number of students counted from these data sources is an LEA’s formula count.  To be eligible to receive Title I funds, an LEA must have a formula count of at least 10. Title I Allocation Data Sources & Eligiblity 8

 Each LEA’s formula count is divided by the total census population (ages 5-17) to determine the percent formula.  To be eligible to receive Title I funds, an LEA must have a percent formula of at least 2 percent.  In , all LEAs in Tennessee met Title I eligibility requirements.  NOTE: Free and Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL) data is not a part of the Title I eligibility and allocation formula. Title I Allocation Data Sources & Eligibility 9

 NOT initially done by TDOE  Generated by the U.S. Department of Education for each LEA  Adjusted by TDOE for: –School improvement –Administration –Hold harmless calculations –Academic Achievement (optional) How are Title I allocations determined? 10

Allocations to Schools

 Title I funds are primarily to be used to support school- level programs and services.  Schools must be eligible for Title I in order to participate.  The highest poverty schools are given priority when determining eligibility.  LEAs determine school poverty levels using: –FRPL Survey or Direct Certification –Census –TANF –Medicaid Determining School Eligibility 12

 Once a school is identified as Title I eligible based on its percentage of poverty, the type of program to be offered in each school is determined. –Targeted assistance school (TAS) –School-wide (SW)  ALL eligible Title I schools have the option to operate a TAS program.  Only eligible schools with at least 40 percent poverty have the option to operate a SW program.  The program to be offered is a school-level decision. Title I Program Options 13

 The Title I program in a TAS provides supplemental assistance to targeted students (students who are failing or most at risk of failing) to meet the state’s challenging academic achievement standards.  Multiple, educationally related, and objective criteria established by the school are used to determine the eligibility of children within a TAS.  Only identified students may benefit from Title I funds, materials, and services in a TAS. Targeted Assistance School (TAS) 14

 The Title I program in a SW school is designed to enhance the entire instructional program in the school.  All students may receive services and benefit from Title I funds.  Supplemental services to students with the greatest academic need must be provided.  Schools have the option to consolidate funds (federal, state, and local) in a SW school to allow greater flexibility in the use of funds to address needs. School-wide (SW) Program 15

Title I School Plans

 TCA requires that ALL schools develop school improvement plans.  ESEA requires Title I schools develop plans that include specific components. –TAS plans must contain eight specific elements –SW plans must contain ten specific elements  The use of Title I funds must be aligned with identified needs school plans. School Planning Requirements 17

 In a SW school, the school plan is particularly important. –The school plan is the blueprint for how Title I funds will be spent. –Title I funds can only be used to support activities identified in the school plan. –If an activity being supported with Title I funds is not in the school plan, it is considered an unallowable use of funds. School-wide School Plans 18

 School plans are living documents and MUST be reviewed and updated at least annually.  Effectiveness of activities and action steps within school plans should be reviewed throughout the year and adjusted, if necessary, to meet priority needs.  Developing school plans is a team effort and all members of the school planning team need to be kept informed and stay involved in the process. Review & Update of School Plans 19

Required Title I Activities

 An LEA receiving Title I funds must: –Develop a district parent involvement policy –Support and build capacity for parent and family engagement in the LEA and in Title I schools Reserve 1 percent of the LEA allocation for family and community engagement activities if the LEA Title I allocation is $500,000 or more –Provide equitable funds and services to eligible and participating non-public school students –Meet Title I fiscal requirements Maintenance of effort Comparability Required LEA Activities 21

 Regardless of the type of Title I program offered (TAS or SW), as a condition of receiving Title I funds, a school must: –Develop school plans to include all required components –Develop a school parent involvement policy –Develop a school/parent compact –Hold an annual Title I parent meeting to discuss the Title I program –Provide parent meetings at various times to promote maximum parental involvement Required Title I School Activities 22

Questions 23

 CPM – Nashville  Regional Consultants (Upper (First (South  ePlan Help Important CPM Contacts 24

Districts and schools in Tennessee will exemplify excellence and equity such that all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully embark on their chosen path in life. Excellence | Optimism | Judgment | Courage | Teamwork

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