What is Title I?
Title I is a federally funded grant program that allocates money to schools so they can provide support to students in reading/writing and math.
How do students qualify for Title I services?
Each year, teachers fill out “criteria sheets” based on how students perform on various assessments and classroom performance. Students who meet certain criteria through a point system are the ones who qualify for these services. Throughout the year, teachers are also able to fill out a referral form requesting that a student receive Title I services.
How long is my child a Title I student?
Our goal is to provide services to students that willallow them to gain and acquire math and reading skills that will enable them to perform more successfully in the classroom. This happens at different rates for students. When this happens, you will receive a Title I “release notice” stating why your child has been released from Title I. Sometimes students qualify for Title I services but they may be receiving direct services through Early Intervention and/or Special Education. In some of these cases, students are released from Title I.
Who provides Title I services to my child?
We are very fortunate to have five para-educators who provide support to Title I students in grades K-4. At the present time, all of the para-educators go into the classrooms and assist Title I students. From time to time, they may pull students out to work with them on something specific.
The Title I Program also has a reading teacher that provides direct reading services to some of the Title I students. Some of these students will be placed into a reading intervention program called “Leveled Literacy Intervention”. If your child is placed into this program, you will receive additional information about it.
How can I be involved in Title I as a parent?
Parents of Title I students are invited to participate in our Parent Involvement meetings that happen in the fall and the spring. These meetings allow parents to give suggestions, provide input, ask questions, etc. about the Title I Program in our district. A workshop will be held later in the year and the topic will focus on either reading or math. Parents of students in the younger grades may join us by coming to the Parent/Learning Connection Series which is offered to parents who have children in kindergarten, grade one & grade two. You may contact the Title I project manager at any time with any concerns, questions, suggestions, etc.
Who are the Title I Staff Members?
We have Tracy Woodaman, Faith Stuart, Linda Ristaino, Vicki Konchak and Cheryl Johnson working as para-educators and we have Marcy Kelley working as a reading teacher to provide Title I services.
Who oversees the Title I Program?
Alesia Parks is the Title I Program Manager for the school district. Please feel free to call her at the school(279-7969) or email her at alesia.parks@interlakes.org with any questions or feedback.