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…

• Individual progress reports that let you know how your child is progressing
• The professional qualifications of teachers and instructional paraprofessionals
• Notification if the student’s teacher has limited state certification/licensure
• Information on state and local assessments
• State or LEA policy regarding student participation on assessments

As a parent/guardian, we encourage you to…

Request important communications with your school, when needed and practicable, in a language that you can understand. Schools have Bi-Lingual Communication Support Specialists representing most of the student body. If you are seeking an alternate language, please contact the school’s office for added support.

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 and paras (if applicable). In addition, parents have the right to know if students are taught by a teacher who is not highly qualified, or 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. Please see the brochure and form links to the right on this page for more information.

Contact Information

For questions regarding Title I, please contact the following:

Title I Department
St. Cloud Area School District 742
1201 2nd Street South
Waite Park, MN 56387

Phone: 320-370-8000