Title I Annual Meeting for Parents

What is Title I? Title 1 is the nation’s oldest and largest federally funded program, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Each year, it provides billions of dollars to school systems across the country for students at risk of failure and living at or near poverty level.

What does it mean to be a Title I School? Being a Title I school means receiving federal funding (Title I dollars) to supplement the school’s existing programs. For the school year, Winston- Salem/Forsyth County Schools has been allocated $19,630, WMS has been allocated $203,150. Parent Involvement – $4,288

What do Title I Dollars fund? These dollars are used for… –Identifying students experiencing academic difficulties and providing timely assistance to help these student’s meet the State’s challenging content standards. –Purchasing supplemental staff/programs/materials/supplies –Conducting parental Involvement meetings/trainings/activities –Recruiting/Hiring/Retaining Highly Qualified Teachers

What is the 1% set-aside and how are parents involved? Our school district is required by law to set aside 1% of it’s Title I allocation for parental involvement. We have 45 Title I Schools in our district who must share the parent involvement allotment. You, as Title I parents, have the right to be involved in deciding how this money is spent.

Title I Schools must have a School Improvement Plan The SIP is your school’s plan for continuous improvement and includes: –A Needs Assessment and Summary of Data –Goals and Strategies to Address Academic Needs of Students –Professional Development for school staff –Coordination of Resources/Comprehensive Budget –The School’s Parental Involvement Plan

What’s included in the school’s Parental Involvement Plan? This plan addresses how the school will implement the parental involvement requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of Components include… –How parents can be involved in decision-making and activities –How parental involvement funds are being used –How information and training will be provided to parents –How the school will build capacity in parents and staff for strong parental involvement Parents may request to see a copy of your school’s School Improvement Plan, and Parent Involvement Plan

School Parent Involvement Policy Every Title I School must have a School Parent Involvement Policy that is jointly developed with parents, and voted on by parents. Parent Involvement Policy and Compact must be reviewed and voted on during the Fall Title I Annual Meeting All parents in a Title I school should receive a written copy of the Parent Involvement Policy and Compact (sign and return to school), and a copy of both should be available in the office at all times.

What is the School-Parent Compact? The compact is a commitment or contract between the school, the parent, and the student to share in the responsibility for improved academic achievement You, as Title I Parents, have the right to be involved in the development of the School-Parent Compact. You may suggest and vote on changes and revisions to the Parent-School-Student Compact. School Policy and Compact must be distributed to all parents. Parents should sign and return the compact to the school promptly.

Parents Right To Know How do I request the qualifications of my child’s teachers? You, as Title I Parents, have the right to request the qualifications of your child’s teachers. The local school district must disseminate a blanket statement that any parent can request information about any teacher of their child. Under federal law, parents have the right to know: whether a teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction whether a teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status

Parents Right to Know…Highly Qualified Staff in Title I Schools Parents will be informed of school’s present status of Highly Qualified Teachers Notification to parents will be on “as-needed” basis regarding teachers not meeting NCLB’s requirements for Highly Qualified Staff. Parents are notified in writing by the principal in a timely manner.

How is the evaluation of the Parental Involvement at Title I Schools conducted? Evaluation Requirements –Conduct annually –Conduct with Title I parents –Analyze Content and Effectiveness of the current plan –Identify Barriers to parental involvement –Data/Input may include… Parent Survey (Required) Focus Groups Parent Advisory Committees Parent evaluation informs next year’s plan

You may join us a member of the District Title I Parent Advisory Council What does the Title I PAC do? We meet 3-4 times a year to discuss Title I programs in our district Meetings are led by Patsy Squire, Title I Director and Parent Involvement Coordinator, Sharon Frazier Review District Title I Allocations & Budget Review District Parent Involvement Plan Participate in learning experiences to be shared with other parents

Parents Are A Child’s Most Influential Teacher Children learn best through their everyday experiences with the people they love and trust, and when the learning is fun. Your child is learning from his or her experiences with you…everyday, what are you teaching? One of the most fundamental interactions you as a parent can provide is emotional sensitivity toward your child…the basic precepts of love and caring. Your child must know and believe that you care about their education School success starts at home…with YOU!

Questions? Contact: Jim Ext Piper Ext Principal