Title 1

Title 1 is the largest federally funded program that is designed to provide extra help to students who are having difficulty in reading and/or math.  Schools are designated as being Title 1 annually.

GOAL:  To provide high quality education for every child

    Title 1 began in 1965 when Congress passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  Schools are determined to be Title 1 by the State Department according to the number of students who are receiving free and reduced lunch.  If more than half of the students are from low-income families the school can opperate a school-wide Title 1 project.  Once a school has been qualified as Title 1 any student in the school can receive benefits from the Title 1 program within the school.  School wide programs can combine with Title 1 funds with federal, state, and local funds to improve school programs.

Title 1 money can be used to:
    ·  Provide after –school, weekend, or summer school programs
    · Train teachers and other staff
    · Buy equipment and learning materials
    · Support parent involvement activities such as family literacy activities, parent meetings and training activities, materials that parents can use to work with their children at home, and transportation and child care so that parents can come to school activities
    · Hire special teachers/tutors (especially in reading and math)

Because every school designs its own Title 1 program, every program will be different.  The old name for Title 1 was Chapter One.  However, Title 1 is different from Chapter One.  Title 1 is based on three important ideas:
    1. All students should work toward the same high standards.  Title 1’s job is to provide help to students who need it to make sure that they reach the same standards as everyone else.
    2. Local districts, schools, and parent know best what their students need to succeed.  Title 1 allows them to decide how to use Title 1 money to help students who are behind.
    3. Parents are partners in helping all students achieve.  Parents have the right to be involved in the design and operation of their school’s Title 1 program.  Parents also have the responsibility to help their child succeed in school.
Sources:
http://www.rmcres.com/famed/askabout/english/title1.html
http://isd742org.title1.html
http://www.coolbank.com/Documents/titleone.html