Title I Newsletter

• Title I is the largest federally funded educational program in the United States.
  
• Provides supplemental funds to assist schools with the highest student concentrations of poverty to meet school educational goals.
  
• Title I is designed to help students achieve proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards.
  
• Title I schools with percentages of low-income students of at least 40% will qualify for Title I funds.
  
• Provide funds to districts in order to assist schools with the highest levels of economically disadvantaged children for improving student achievement, staff development, and parent and community involvement.

Parents Right to Know - Parents of children attending Title I, Part A schools have the right to ask for and receive information about the qualifications of their student’s teacher(s) and paraprofessional(s).

Teacher Qualifications - You can ask for this information about your child's teacher(s):

• If the teacher has met Washington teacher certification requirements for the grade levels and subject that they are teaching.
• If the teacher is teaching under emergency or other conditional status, meaning they do not fully meet the usual rules for certification.
• If the teacher is teaching a subject, they are certified to teach.

Paraeducator Qualifications

Paraprofessionals must work under the supervision of a certified teacher. In schools that run a Schoolwide program, all paraeducators must meet qualifications. Paraeducators must be at least eighteen years of age and have completed a high school diploma or its equivalent and must also have:

• Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or obtained an associate’s or higher degree.
• Passed the ETS ParaPro Assessment. The assessment measures skills and content knowledge related to reading, writing and math.
• Previously completed the apprenticeship requirements and must present a journey card or certificate. The portfolio and apprenticeships are no longer offered for enrollment; however, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will continue to honor this pathway.

If you would like to ask about your child's teacher(s) or paraprofessional(s) qualifications, please contact your child's principal.

Parents must receive information on each assessment required by the state and district. This information must include:

1. Subject matter assessed.
2. Purpose of the assessment.
3. Source of the requirement.

If information is available, LEAs and schools must provide (including posting on their websites):

• Length of time expected and schedule for the assessments.
• Time and format for disseminating results.

Information on State or Local Educational Agency (LEA) Policy–Student Participation on Assessments: At the beginning of each school year, the LEA must notify parents that they may request (and the LEA will provide) information regarding any state or LEA policy regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by Section 1111(b)(2), and by the state or LEA. The information must include a policy, procedure, or parental right to opt the child out of such assessment, where applicable. [ESSA Section 1112 (e)(2)(A)]

Why is State Testing Required? School districts and communities are different across the state. Families have the right to know how their child is progressing toward college and career readiness. Districts need to know if the curriculum they have chosen to teach their students to meet the state learning standards is working, or if they should make adjustments. State testing is required by state law (RCW 28A.230.095) and federal law (Elementary and Secondary Education Act). Learn more about why testing is required at Assessment’s Frequently Asked Question Website: www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StateTesting/FAQ.aspx

As a recipient of federal funds, we are required to inform you that if you have a complaint about the services offered under Title I and have not been able to resolve them through the District process, you may file a citizen complaint to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

View information on filing citizen complaint

Parent and Family Engagement Policy/Plan

School Parent & Family Engagement Procedures

• Parents and staff will review the previous year's parent and family engagement procedures and the results of the parent survey at the annual Title 1 meeting in the fall.

• Procedures will be revised as needed and will be posted in the building and on the building website.

Annual Title 1 Parent and Family Engagement Meeting

• The annual meeting will be held ______________ . You will receive notification of this via Parent Square.

• The agenda of the meeting will include:

• An explanation of Title 1 requirements

• An opportunity for input into the procedures for parent involvement, the school-parent-student compact and the parent involvement budget and plan.

Notification

• Parents are notified of their student's participation in programs that include reading, math and English-language support in the first weeks of school, and through individual planning meetings and conferences.

• Parent - teacher conferences are held twice a year, in October and in March.

• Literacy and STEAM Nights will provide detailed information about each grade level curriculum., assessments, and levels of expected achievement.

• Frequent family events include information about the curriculum.

• Report cards are sent home each trimester.

• Student academic progress is closely monitored, and interventions are established for students identified in grade-level teams or by the school Student Study Team.

School-Parent Compact

• Each Title 1 school shall jointly develop with parents a school-parent-student compact that outlines how parents, the staff, and students will share the responsibilities for improved student academic achievement.

• The compact will be discussed with families during the meeting on October 6th.

Additional Opportunities for Involvement

• Meetings and events will be held throughout the year to increase parents' knowledge about the curriculum and how to better support their child academically.

• Parents are encouraged to join the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and participate in PAC events.

• Parents are welcome to volunteer or observe in classrooms.

• Office staff disseminate pertinent information about programs for parents and families, such as Head Start and ECEAP, Boys & Girls Club, etc.

• The Counselor and Family Support staff communicate with families regarding community resources and resolve situations that impede student progress.

Efforts to Ensure All Parents Are Included

• Translation of written materials into the parents' language is provided when practicable.

• Interpreters are provided for conferences and events.

• Childcare is provided at school events when needed.

• School meetings and conferences are offered at a variety of times.

• School staff is available by phone and by email.

• Teachers make individual phone calls to parents of students not making adequate academic progress.

• Parents can schedule meetings with all school staff members at any time to discuss their child's progress.

You are invited to participate in the development of our Parent and Family Engagement policy and plan. If interested, please call (509) 573-____ or email:

Principal:

Assistant Principal(s):