Title 1
Title I is a federally funded program that provides qualifying schools with additional support and learning oppotunities to help students master the curricula and meet challenging State academic standards. The program provides financial assistance to elementary schools that meet a criterion number for the percentages of children served from low income families. Suffolk Public Schools receive Title I, Part A funding to support a Targeted Assistance Program in eight elementary schools: Booker T. Washington Elementary, Creekside Elementary, Elephant’s Fork Elementary, Hillpoint Elementary, Kilby Shores Elementary, Mack Benn, Jr. Elementary, Nansemond Parkway Elementary, and Southwestern Elementary. In these schools, Title I resources are primarily used to support instructional services in reading and mathematics, professional development, supplemental research-based materials, and parenting skills. The focus is on coordinating students’ educational programs for improved student achievement.
In a Targeted Assistance program, the Title I program serves students in rank order of their academic need.
Elgibility and student selection are based on multiple, educationally related, objective criteria:
- year-end reading average,
- work habits,
- instructional reading level,
- English Standards of Learning (SOL),
- Phonological Awareness Literacy performance (PALS), and
- teacher recommendation.
Student progress is monitored throughout the year by teachers and parents to ensure that all Title I students are reaching the goals set for improvement.
The goals of Title I, Part A are consistent with the No Child Left Behid (NCLB) legislation, which includes setting high academic standards, measuring student’s progress, analyzing data for desired results, and involving parents in educational decisions.
The Title I program generally offers:
- smaller classes
- additional teachers and paraprofessionals
- opportunities for professional development for school staff
- extra time for teaching Title I students the skills they need
- a variety of supplementary teaching methods
- an individualized program for students
- additional teaching materials that supplement reading and math instruction
Each Title I school schedules regular Title I parent meetings and appoints two representatives to serve on the District-wide Parent Advisory Committee. As members of this committee, parents and teachers meet regularly to review and assist in the planning and evaluation of the schools’ and district’s Title I programs.
Title I District Parent Advisory Meetings are help quarterly at 7:00 p.m. at King’s Fork Middle School on the following dates:
- October 24, 2011
- November 28, 2011
- March 26, 2012
- May 14, 2012
For further information call Bettie J. Swain at (757) 925-6759.
