General Information about Title I
What is Title I?
Title I, part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind Act), is the largest federal education program. Title I includes four major parts: Part A – Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged, Part B – Even Start Family Literacy, Part C – Migrant Education, and Part D – Services for Neglected and Delinquent Children & Youth. The goal of Title I is to provide instructional services and activities which support students in meeting the state’s challenging performance standards. About half the schools and all school districts in North Carolina receive Title I funds. Durham Public Schools has 30 elementary schools, 24 of which receive Title I funds. Thee of the nine middle schools recevie Title I funding.. Title I is intended to help ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high quality of education and reach grade-level proficiency. Title I funds may help students who are behind academically or are at risk of falling behind. Title I funds can be used to hire additional teachers to reduce class size, offer tutoring services, create and maintain computer labs, offer opportunities for parental involvement activities, plan professional development, purchase materials and supplies, support prekindergarten programs, and hire teacher assistants or other school personnel.
What is a Title I school?
A Title I school is a school that receives Title I money, the largest single federal funding source of education.
How is Title I school funding determined?
Title I is a federal entitlement program. Funding is given to schools based on student enrollment, the free and reduced lunch percentage for each school, and other data. The US Department of Education distributes these funds to State Education Departments that in turn, distribute the funds to individual school districts. Each school district must share funding to qualifying schools based on the number of low-income children in a school. School-wide programs (27 of DPS’ schools) have 40% or more of the children on free or reduced lunch. School-wide programs have some freedom in using Title I funds, with other school funds, to upgrade the entire school. Targeted assistance schools must use funds to provide services to a select group of students.
What are the State and Federal Standards for low-incoming students?
Low-income students are defined as those meeting free or reduced lunch criteria. A school-wide Title I school must have 40% or more of the student population receiving free or reduced lunch. A targeted assistance Title I school must have 35% of the student population receiving free or reduced lunch.
What are Parents’ Rights under Title I?
Title I schools must notify parents of their right to receive certain information. Parents may request information in regards to the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher(s) including the degrees held, certifications held, and whether the teacher is certified in the area he or she is teaching. Title I schools must notify parents if their child has been assigned, or is being taught, by a teacher who is not Highly Qualified. Parents can also request information about teacher assistant’s qualifications. Please call your child's school or Kate MacDonell at 560-9403 if you would like to request qualification information for your child's teacher or teacher assistant.
The law also includes that parents in Title I schools:
- Must be a part of developing a written parent involvement policy for all school parents and the local community
- Have a right to be involved in the planning and implementation of the parent involvement policy in their school
- Can receive materials and training for parents and staff to foster greater parent involvement
- Must have the opportunity to develop, with the school staff, a school-parent contract that outlines how parents, the school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement
What will Title I do for my child?
The Title I program will provide your child with extra educational assistance beyond the regular classroom.
To learn more about which schools have school-wide programs and which schools are targeted assistance, please click on the links below.
What does it mean to be a district in improvement?
Durham Public Schools is currently in district improvement. This means a part of the Title I funds are set aside to support the district in improving all students' progress and achievement. The district hosts a meeting in late fall/early winter that is open to all families. This is an opportunity to learn more about the district and how it is working to exit district improvement. To review our LEA Improvement Plan, pleasse click on the link below.
