Title I Program

There are no Title I schools in PWCS, only schools that receive Title I resources and supports. Title I is a federal grant program designed to give educational assistance to students living in areas of high poverty. The Title I program originated in 1965 when Congress passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and was reauthorized in 2015 with the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Title I is one of the oldest and largest federal programs supporting elementary and secondary education in existence, and over 90% of the school systems in the United States receive some amount of Title I funding.

The Title I program provides financial assistance through state educational agencies to local educational agencies and public schools with high numbers or percentages of low-income children to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic content and student academic achievement standards. Title I reaches about 12.5 million students enrolled in both public and private schools. Title I funds may be used for children from preschool age to high school, but most of the students served (65%) are in grades 1-6; another 12% are in preschool and kindergarten programs.

Key Requirements of Schools that Receive Title I Resources

Schools are ranked according to the percentage of students who directly certify for financial assistance through programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Medicaid. Schools with 75% of students who directly certify for financial assistance must be served with Title I funds, and schools that have 35% of students may be served with Title I funds; however, it is the discretion of the school division as to the number of schools to serve. There are currently 31 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and three high schools that receive Title I funding in PWCS.

Title I funds are used to hire additional staff, purchase instructional materials, fund extended day learning opportunities, and provide professional development to support students identified as low achieving in reading and math so that they are able to show proficiency on reading and math state assessments.

Schools that receive Title I resources are required to develop a parent engagement policy and compact that specifically outlines how the school will support parents with their students' learning.

PWCS Model for Schools that Receive Title I Resources

PWCS chooses to implement only schoolwide programs.

Schoolwide Program

Schools must have 40% poverty or greater to implement a schoolwide program. Funds are used to improve the overall academic program of the school.

A Title I schoolwide team must annually develop a schoolwide plan that includes the following:

• Comprehensive needs assessment
• Schoolwide reform strategies
• Provision for instruction by highly qualified professional staff
• Strategies for increasing parental involvement
• Plans to facilitate the transition from preschool to elementary school
• Measures for including teacher input to improve student performance and the overall instructional program
• Provision of assistance to struggling students