The Federal Title I guidelines provide for the development of two different types of programs in schools that qualify to receive Title I funds. The first type of program is referred to as “targeted assistance.” In this kind of program, Title I funds may only be used to support those students who have been identified as at risk of failing to meet state standards. This is the default Title I program, meaning a school is automatically a targeted assistance school when it qualifies to receive funds.

The second type of program is the “schoolwide program.” Any school with 40% or more of its enrollment receiving Free / Reduced Lunch is eligible to operate a schoolwide program, provided they follow the Federal guidelines. In a schoolwide program, Title I funds are used to improve the educational program for all students.

The number of District 15 schools that are eligible to receive Title I funds during the 2022-2023 school year is 11. This number, based upon changing enrollment and family financial status will change slightly each year.

The SY22-23 Title I eligible schools are:

• Central Road
• Gray M. Sanborn
• Jane Addams
• Kimball Hill
• Lake Louise
• Lincoln
• Stuart R. Paddock
• Virginia Lake
• Winston Campus Elementary
• Carl Sandburg Junior High
• Winston Campus Junior High

All 11 schools operate schoolwide programs meant to benefit the achievement and growth of all students attending these schools.

Title I guidelines require Board of Education approval once under the new ESSA regulations. Subsequently, the Department of Teaching and Learning reviews each school’s Title I plan at least annually and updates them as needed.

Title I, Part A provision requires Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to actively engage parents and families of all students in the development of state and local education plans, school improvement plans, as well as Title I plans (ESSA Section 1116).

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) places a strong emphasis on the need for districts and schools to actively engage with parents and family members.  Through various measures, teams and committees, District 15 actively works to establish expectations and objectives for meaningful parent and family involvement to improve student academic achievement and school performance; coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies with other relevant federal, state, and local laws and programs; evaluate the effectiveness of the policy in improving quality of Title I schools, including identifying barriers to greater participation by families and the needs of parents and family members to assist with the learning of their children; and, conduct meaningful consultation with parents of participating children, which may include establishing an advisory board to develop, revise and review the engagement policy.