Title I and Prekindergarten EDAD 5399

Title I Title I is a program to address the needs of low-income students/schools Title I schools are determined by the local district Title I schools may be elementary only Or Include both elementary and secondary schools

Title I Funding Federal Funds Sent from your pocket To Washington To State To LEA To Campus (Remember: All Federal Funds come from you) The Title I guidebook has 124 pages. The annual application is 202 pages.

Four Types of Grants 1. Basic 2. Concentration 3. Targeted 4. Education Finance Incentive Grants

Basic Grants Students must be 5 – 17 years of age and Be low-income based on Census Bureau’s poverty criteria. Children that live in foster homes as reported by Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (CPS is not correct name) Children who live in facilities for neglected children LEA must have 10 document students

Concentration Grant Students must be 5 – 17 years of age and Same as Basic Grants LEA must have 6,500 such students and be at least 15% of the total LEA enrollment

Targeted Grant Student must be 5 – 17 years of age and Meet the same requirements as listed for Basic and Concentration Grants Number of students must be 5% or greater of the LEA population

Basic Grant First Choice School Wide and Targeted Assistance Programs Supplement or Supplant Programs may not take the place of an established program.

Monitor Funds Targeted Assistance Program School wide Programs Maintain records to prove funds spent to supplement programs already in place. Must identify students with greatest need. School wide Programs Does not have to prove funds are supplemental. Do not have to list students being served.

Campus Eligibility LEA may choose to determine poverty by: Census Data Approved Free/Reduced lunch applications Children receiving assistance under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Children eligible to receive medical assistance under Medicaid Program Or Composite of any of the above

Campus Eligibility LEA must rank campuses according to percentage of students from low-income families. Campuses with 35% low-income are eligible for funding. If insufficient funds—serve campuses with 75% low-income

Targeted Assistance At least 35% of students are low-income. Does not meet district guidelines to be a school wide program. Must determine program emphasis—math or reading (Usually district decision) Determine number of Title I paid staff members Test students

Targeted Assistance Determine number of students per grade level to be served. Students will be served from greatest need up. Students in special program may or may not be eligible. Title I instruction must not supplant classroom instruction.

Targeted Assistance Pre-test and post-test must be done to show progress. Title I personnel may work only with students assigned to person. Title I equipment and supplies must be used only by Title I students. Records must show how funds spent.

School Wide Program Percent of low-income students at or above percentage set by the LEA. Develop campus wide comprehensive plan for reforming the total instructional program in the school. (Not limited to targeted subjects) (Campus may have a choice to be targeted or School Wide Program)

School Wide Program Components of a Schoolwide program. 1. Comprehensive needs assessment 2. Schoolwide reform strategies 3. Employee highly qualified teachers 4. High-quality, ongoing Professional Development 5. Strategies to attract high-quality highly qualified teachers.

School Wide Program 6. Strategies to increase parental involvement 7. Plans to transition preschool children to local elementary school programs. 8. Measures to increase teachers in decision making. 9. Supply effective, timely additional assistance to students that are not being successful. 10. Coordination and integration with other programs—nutrition programs, violence prevention, early childhood program

School Wide Program Comprehensive needs assessment of entire school—Could be based on TAKS or other state test. All students are eligible for services. All students may be served by Title I personnel All students may benefit from materials and equipment purchased with Title I funds.

School Wide Program Develop school wide reform strategies Develop budget (I recommend a Title I committee be selected) Services may include counseling, tutoring, mentoring, purchased supplies and equipment, employ teaching assistants

Parent Involvement An LEA that receives Title I funds must develop programs, activities, and procedures to involve parents. (Committee)

Pre-Kindergarten Pre-Kindergarten is another name for baby sitting. The state is going to make our babies go to school. How can a teacher teach a four year old?

Prekindergarten A district with less than 15 eligible students are not required to have a prek program. There are 481 districts with less than 500 students in total school district. Some of them will not have Prekindergarten. Tuition may not be charged for eligible children.

Prekindergarten A child is eligible for enrollment if the child: Is at least three years of age. Unable to speak and comprehend the English Language Educationally disadvantaged Homeless as defined by federal law

Prekindergarten Parent is an active duty member of the armed forces (student remains eligible even if parent leaves active duty. Parent injured or killed while on active duty. Other information Free prekindergarten class shall be operated on a half-day basis District not required to provide transportation

Prekindergarten District may offer on a tuition basis or use local funds to: Provide additional half day prekindergarten for students eligible for half day program. Provide half day or full day prekindergarten for students not eligible for free prek.

Prekindergarten Program shall include; Developmental skills necessary for success in the regular public school curriculum including: Language Mathematics Social skills Students that qualify for free/reduced lunch program will either eat breakfast or lunch at school.

Prekindergarten District may apply for grants from the state Prekindergarten Expansion Grant May expand to all day program Employ staff to reduce class size and provide special instruction Ready to Read Grant 75% enrolled low-income—Pre-reading programs, staff development, pre-reading curriculum materials, employment of pre-reading instructors

Prekindergarten Shared sites Prekindergarten programs may be placed in daycare centers. A student that is in daycare on financial assistance could have daycare ½ day and prekindergarten instruction ½ day and not be transported.