Title I

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Home : 2003 : January : 24

Title I
By Sue

Hi Suzie,
Here is all you ever might have wanted to know about Title I. Title I is a federally funded program to increase achievement in low income schools. It is based on the number of free and reduced lunches provided
in a school. There are struggling kids in wealthy districts too, but this is not for them! I am paid by the local school district, but from federal funds. I taught in this district for over 25 years, in 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms, until 4 years ago when I moved to Title I. Title I has been around at least 30 years, I believe. There are specific guidelines, but districts that receive

the funds have choices in ways to use the funding. Some districts serve kids K-6, in both reading and math. Our district serves children K-3 for reading/language arts, hoping that earlier intervention will provide greater benefits. Classroom teachers identify children they feel would benefit from extra small group help. Old criteria were 6 months below grade level in first grade or a full year behind by second grade. In our district we test them and according to the criteria set up and the funds available place them in groups. We work with a pull out schedule, 1/2 hour groups with a maximum of 4 kids per group, so we can really get to know them and provide for their needs. It is such a delight to see many of the kids caught up to grade level by the end of a year. We serve quite a variety; English language learners who just getting going in English, kids who are of low ability, and lacking experiences, immature kids who just weren't ready for school, unidentified EBD, or LD kids. There are challenges, but I've had days when my face hurts from all the smiling!