What is Title I?

Title I is a federally funded program through the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) designed to provide supplemental support to students in meeting high academic standards. The focus is upon helping students succeed in the classroom and reach grade level performance.

What are some typical Title I services?

In the St. Cloud Area Schools, our Title I sites follow a “Schoolwide Title I” model where all students in the school are provided with additional support that addresses identified needs by the site. St. Cloud Title I schoolwide sites focus on providing this support in reading and math instruction and may provide additional support in attendance, social emotional learning, and school climate among others.

Do all St. Cloud Area Schools have a Title I program?

No. The Federal law requires that Title I programs are available in schools with the greatest concentration of low-income families. St. Cloud Title I schools include Discovery, Kennedy, Lincoln, Madison, Oak Hill, Talahi, and Westwood Community Elementary Schools and North and South Junior High Schools. Please view each school’s website to learn more about its Title I Schoolwide Program.

How can parents/guardians be involved?

Parents-guardians who support their children’s learning offer them the best opportunity for educational success. Research from the National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education shares that “no matter their income or background, students with involved parents are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school.” The National PTA reports that “the most accurate predictors of student achievement in school are not family income or social status, but the extent to which the family…becomes involved in the child’s education at school.”

In schoolwide programs, parents are invited to attend the school’s annual Title I Meetings. Parents, staff, and students may participate in the development and implementation of a compact that delineates the goals and shared responsibilities of the child, school, and parents for student success. Parents are encouraged to participate in Title I meetings and learning opportunities. Title I sponsors many of the events at sites including Math and Reading Nights, after school STEM opportunities, and more.

As a parent/guardian, you have the right to…

• know the qualifications of your child’s teacher.
• expect important communications with your school, when practicable, in a language that you can understand.
• know how your child’s school is rated on its state test scores.
• work with other parents and staff to develop a school-level parent Compact between the school and its families
• work with teachers, parents, and the school principal to develop your school’s Family Involvement-Engagement Plan

Parent's Right to Know

Each school year, districts must notify parents of children attending Title I schools that they can request information regarding their children's teachers. In addition, parents have the right to know if students are taught by a teacher who is not highly qualified, if their child has been assigned to, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified.