What is Title I?
Title I is one of the Federal Government's largest funded educational program. The Federal Government provides funds to Wisconsin's local school districts to help promote the success of all students. Title I also supports the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was designed to make changes in teaching and learning to help increase academic achievement in schools. The funding that is provided to our local school district is based on the "financial need" of the overall population of all students in Sparta; this is closely tied to our school district's free and reduced lunch counts. Currently, at Southside School our Title I plan is a "Schoolwide" project. In a Schoolwide Title I program all students are considered Title I students and all teachers are considered Title I Teachers.
Southside School's plan:
At Southside School our schoolwide plan is to improve student learning through an ongoing, continuous identification process using the school district's elementary assessment calendar, which enables teachers to monitor all K-3 student's growth in the areas of reading and math.
In reading and math the district has set grade level "benchmarks" or "proficiency levels" for student learning. After each assessment period, grade level teams of teachers gather in "Professional Learning Communities" or PLCs to review their student's growth and identify instructional needs to meet the needs of all grade level students that are performing on-level, below-level and above the grade level benchmark. To meet the multiple needs and interests of students, teachers will use flexible groups and learning centers throughout their day to teach, expand, or reteach skills; in some classrooms students may receive their math or reading instruction with another teacher or be provided additional learning sessions to learn new material.
The Schoolwide Title I Coordinator and her role:
The Schoolwide Title I Coordinator at Southside School is Mrs. Kreibich. As a Reading Specialist, her background includes teaching and coordinating the Title I program here in Sparta. Over the years she has worked extensively with elementary parents and students, kindergarten through sixth grade, in the areas of reading and math. In her current position she will continue providing classroom teachers and parents additional support to meet the diverse learners here at Southside. Some duties that the Schoolwide Title I Coordinator may assist classroom teachers with is organizing and looking at student data, diagnosis of student reading needs, assisting with developing Response to Intervention Plans, differentiating instruction to meet student's learning needs, and fostering ongoing home school partnerships.
What is the qualification of Southside School's teachers?
The law also requires that all schools receiving Title I funds inform parents or guardians of their right to request information about the qualifications of their child's teachers. The Sparta Area School District believes that well prepared and highly qualified teachers are a factor in our school's quality of education. Our district is happy to share information about your child's teachers at your request. In order to receive funding, the law does require that our district provide "highly qualified instruction". The legal definition of "highly qualified" has three parts. It states that the teacher must have a four-year college degree, completion of an approved licensing program, and completion of an exam in the appropriate subject area.
As a district, we are proud to say that our schools have some of the most qualified teachers. All of our teachers have college degrees, and 69% of teachers have at least one master's degree. In addition, our teachers continue learning through professional development opportunities and classes.
How Can Parents Help?
Parents have the unique role of being their child's first and most important teacher. Parents model behaviors and language that help their child's educational attitudes, habits, and interest. It is important that parents and teachers of Title I students build a close, cooperative relationship.
Parents are encouraged to get involved in school activities and participate in schoolwide family events. Learning together can be fun!
Learn more about reading by clicking on the links below
10 Ways to Raise A Reader
Listening To Children As They Begin Reading
