The Basics of Title 1 Schools
This program, which is now the pillar of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), is our oldest and largest federally funded education program, according to the U.S. Department of Education. It dates from 1965 and its main purpose has been to help underprivileged children meet challenging state academic standards. In other words schools with a student base that are lower-income are provided with title 1 funding in order to help those who are behind or at risk of falling behind, aiming to bridge the gap between low-income students and other students.
The financial assistance is provided through state educational agencies (SEAs) to local educational agencies (LEAs) and public schools.
The Purpose of Title 1 Schools
There are thousands of title 1 schools nationwide and they provide students with extra instructional support beyond the regular classroom to help low-achieving children meet state standards in core academic subjects. They coordinate and integrate resources and services from federal, state, and local sources. To be considered for title 1 school funds, at least 40% of the students must be considered low-income.
The fund provides over $14 billion a year to school systems all over the country for struggling students (students who are at risk of failing or living at or near poverty) and it reaches over six million students, primarily in the elementary grades.
Confused with all this information?
Get answers fast and talk to experts who know the best programs to set up and pay back your student loan debt
The Two Available Title 1 School Programs
There are two programs available for Title 1 Schools, the targeted assistance school program, and the schoolwide program. Both targeted assistance school programs and schoolwide programs aim to improve teaching and learning to enable participating students to meet the learning standards. In accomplishing this goal, these requirements must be met:
- The Consolidated Application targeting process must identify eligible schools to receive Title 1 funds.
- Children participating in the program must show improved achievements
- Regular education program must be coordinated and supported
- Highly-qualified teachers must provide instructions
- Increase in parental involvement must be implemented.
- May provide services to children who are not older than age 21 who are entitled to a free public education through grade 12, and/or not yet at a grade level where the local educational agency (LEA) provides free public education
Title 1 Targeted Assistance School Program
The targeted assistance school program is available to schools which do not meet the 40% threshold of underprivileged kids for the Schoolwide program. Title 1 teachers provide services only to selected children. The funds can only be used to provide services to selected children who have the greatest need for educational assistance.
- Staff uses multiple measures to determine which students are eligible to participate in the program.
- By using multiple educationally related objective criteria established by the LEA, for children in grade 3 and above.
- By using criteria such as teacher judgment, interviews with parents, and developmentally appropriate measures for children from preschool through grade 2
- The same selection is applied to children who are economically disadvantaged, have disabilities, are migrants or have limited English proficiency.
- Funds are directed to employ staff who serves only those students who have been identified as eligible for participation by being the most at-risk of not meeting the learning standards.
- Records must be maintained documenting that Part A funds are spent on activities and services for only Part A eligible and participating students
Read more information on targeted assistance schools.
Title 1 Schoolwide Program
A Title 1 schoolwide program is a comprehensive program used to upgrade the complete educational program in a Title 1 school thus raising academic achievement for all the students. The schoolwide program is available to schools with a student base where at least 40% come from low-income families. The primary goal is to ensure all students, particularly those who are low-achieving, demonstrate at least proficient levels of achievement.
There are no distinctions between staff members paid with Title I funds and the ones who are not. All school staff should work toward upgrading the entire educational program and improving the achievement of all students, particularly those who are low achieving. Within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) all school-wide programs that want to continue receiving funds must conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and an appropriate plan, and conduct an annual review of the effectiveness of the program.
Implementation of a Schoolwide Program
- At least 40% of the students enrolled in the school must be from low-income families.
- The year planning period must have been completed.
- A comprehensive plan must have been developed in consultation with the LEA and the school support team for reforming the entire instructional program in the school. Parents and other community members, teachers, principals, administrators, technical assistance providers, school staff, and students must be involved in the plan development.
A Schoolwide Program Benefits
Schools operating schoolwide programs serve all students to improve student achievement. The schools do not have to identify particular children as eligible for services because all students enrolled are eligible to receive the services provided with Title 1 including direct instruction from staff paid with Title 1 funds. Also, documentation to show that Part A funds are paying for services for those students that would otherwise not be eligible is not required. Every student is identified as a participant in Title 1 in schools operating Schoolwide programs. Schoolwide programs can use their Title 1 funds in various manners but they must engage in reform strategies that increase the amount and quality of learning time and provide a high-quality curriculum
You can read more about schoolwide programs here.
Title 1 School Teachers
All instructional staff in title 1 schools, including paraprofessionals, must be highly qualified and experienced according to the criteria set by ESSA. A special procedure must be followed and placed in areas of greatest need. Teachers provide instruction, while paraprofessional educators provide support to the student for that instruction. They assist teachers, supervise students and supplement regular classroom curriculum with additional activities for students or provide administrative support for teaching.
Teachers licensed in other subject areas and paraprofessionals may provide reinforcement for learning activities but not the actual instruction. The parent involvement is a crucial and integral part of daily operations in a Title 1 school and the requirements for teachers are specific.
Title 1 Teacher Requirements
Title 1 teachers must be appropriately licensed for the grade and content at the time of hire whether it is a targeted assistance or a schoolwide program.
Title I Paraprofessional Requirements
All paraprofessionals who work in a Title I targeted assistance program as well as in a schoolwide program must meet ESSA criteria at the time of hire.
In order to be qualified, a paraprofessional must hold a high school diploma and two years of post-secondary education completed or an associate’s degree or have met a standard of quality and be able to demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics.
Title 1 Schools and Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teachers who are highly qualified and teacher at a title 1 funded school are eligible for the federal teacher loan forgiveness program. Here are some of the requirements:
- You have been employed as a full-time teacher for five consecutive, complete academic years. and at least one of those years must have been after the 1997–98 academic year It has to be at an elementary or secondary school in a school district that
- Qualifies for funds under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, or
- Has been selected by the Department of Education based on a determination that more than 30% of the school’s total enrollment is made up of children who qualify for services provided under Title 1, and
- Is listed in the Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits (available online at www.tcli.ed.gov).
If your school or educational service agency meets the requirements mentioned above for at least one year of your teaching service but does not meet these requirements during four subsequent years, your subsequent years of teaching may be counted toward the required five years of teaching.
FREE ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT FOR TEACHER LOAN FORGIVENESS
Which Schools are Selected to Receive Title 1 Funds?
Federal poverty census information determines if a school district has qualified to receive Title 1 funds. How much a school will receive is determined by the number of children from low-income families that live in the school area and the cost of education
First, LEAs direct the Title 1 funds they receive to public schools where most children from low-income families live.
How Schools Use The Title 1 Funds?
Each school determines by itself how to use Title 1 funds. They can be used to improve curriculum and program, instructional activities, counseling, parental involvement, increase staff, etc. The funding has one goal and that is to assist schools in meeting the educational goals of low-income students. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Title 1 funds normally encourage additional instruction in reading and mathematics.
Services of title 1 schools
Title 1 programs provide services that enhance and support the regular classroom program. The services include
- extra instructional time and supports for students;
- additional teachers and paraprofessionals to reduce class size;
- specialized instructional methods and purchase of teaching equipment and supplies;
- parental involvement and activities
- pre-kindergarten programs
- after-school and summer programs that extend and reinforce the school’s regular curriculum
Other Students That Can Benefit From Title 1 Funds
It is not always necessary for students to be from low-income families in order to receive Title 1 services. They can also be private school students who live in the attendance area of a Title 1 qualified school or the ones who have academic need.
Other students that might be served by Title 1 funds are migrant students, students with limited English proficiency, homeless students, students with disabilities, neglected students, delinquent students, at-risk students or any student in need. Various reasons can qualify students as at-risk (low academic performance, being held back a grade for one or more years, or being homeless). There are other criteria for at-risk students as well.
The Governments List of Title 1 Schools For 2017/2018
The most reliable source to see all title 1 schools is this Government list for the school year 2017/2018.
Title 1 program is based on a family-centered approach, involving family engagement and education activities as vital components in order to create equal opportunity for every student.
