Steps to Becoming a Title I Schoolwide Program (Title I SWP): An Overview Guide for Parents

Office of State/Federal Education Policy and School Improvement Programs (OSFEP) and Office of School Support and Supervision (OSSS)

What is Title I?

Title I is the largest federal aid program that provides financial assistance to districts and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Title I was originally enacted under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.

ESEA was reauthorized as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and signed into law in January 2002.

New York State's ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request was initially approved by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) in 2012, then renewed by USDOE in 2015.

ESEA was reauthorized by Congress as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and signed into law by President Obama in December 2015.

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Are There Changes to Title I Under the NewEvery Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)?

Title I under ESSA changes from “improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged” to “improving basic programs operated by state and local educational agencies.”

While the key components of Title I are maintained under ESSA, there are some changes to program and accountability requirements that are in the process of being evaluated by the State and City.

Any related changes and/or clarifications to the Title I requirements described in this presentation will be provided in subsequent updates to this document, which will be disseminated to schools and posted online.

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How Is the Goal of ESEA and thePurpose of Title I Accomplished?

Ensuring that high-quality academic assessments, accountability systems, teacher preparation and training, curriculum, and instructional materials are aligned with challenging state academic standards.

Meeting the educational needs of low-achieving children in high poverty schools.

Closing the achievement gap between high- and low-performing students.

Holding schools, districts, and states accountable for improving the academic achievement of all students.

Distributing and targeting resources sufficiently to make a difference to districts and schools where needs are greatest.

Improving and strengthening teaching and learning.

It is accomplished by…

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How Is the Goal of ESEA and the Purposeof Title I Accomplished? (Continued)

Providing greater decision making authority and flexibility to schools.

Providing students an enriched and accelerated educational program.

Promoting school-wide reform and ensuring students have access to effective, scientifically based instructional strategies and challenging academic content.

Significantly elevating the quality of instruction by providing staff in participating schools with substantial opportunities for professional development.

Affording parents substantial and meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children.

Source: www.ed.gov

By…

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What Gives Schools the Flexibility to Implement the Goal and Purpose of Title I?

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Two Types of Title I

Programs

Title I Targeted

Assistance

Title I Schoolwide

Program

What is Title I Targeted Assistance?

All Title I eligible schools start as Targeted Assistance (TA).

TA schools:

• Receive Title I Part A funds to target services to a select group of children - those identified as not meeting, or most at risk of not meeting, the state’s content standards-rather than for overall school improvement.

• The Title I targeted students are the only students in the school that are eligible to participate in a Title I funded activity.

Example: Math software purchased with Title I money can only be used with Title I eligible students targeted for assistance.

What is a Title I Schoolwide Program?

• The purpose of a Schoolwide Program (SWP) is to improve academic achievement throughout a school so that all students, particularly the lowest-achieving students, demonstrate proficiency related to the state’s academic content standards.

• A Schoolwide Program is a program that addresses the educational needs of all children with comprehensive strategies for improving the whole school so that every student achieves high levels of academic proficiency.

• A Schoolwide Program builds on schoolwide reform strategies, rather than separate, add-on services.

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Benefits of a Title I Schoolwide Program Allows schools to integrate programs, strategies, and resources

to support school-wide reform.

Flexibility of Title I SWP funding enables schools to move away from fragmented programs by developing and implementing a single, coherent instructional plan for the whole school that addresses the educational needs of all children.

Funds can be used from Title I, Part A and other federal education program funds and resources to upgrade the entire educational program of the school in order to raise academic achievement for all the students.

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What is a Title I Schoolwide Program?

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What is a Title I school?• Any school that is eligible to receive supplemental funds from the federal government (as

determined by the number of students who qualify for free lunch) to help address the needs of students who are at risk of not meeting State standards for academic performance.

• Parents of eligible students and teachers/staff who provide support to these students may participate in the school’s Title I funded program activities designed to support student achievement (e.g., workshops, meetings, professional development opportunities).

Title I Schoolwide Programs (Title I SWP) vs. Title I Targeted Assistance (Title I TA)• In a Title I TA school – targeted student population only is eligible to receive Title I funded

services based on academic performance (may include students with disabilities and students who are English Language Learners) – parents of these students are also included in Title I program activities.

• In a Title I SWP school – all students are served through the Title I program, therefore all staff, teachers and parents included in Title I program activities.

Why do Schools elect to become Title I SWP?• Allows schools to integrate programs, strategies and resources to support schoolwide

reform.• Flexibility of Title I SWP funding enables schools to move away from fragmented programs

by developing a single, coherent instructional plan that addresses the needs of all students.

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Approaches to Schoolwide Reform

Designing more personalized instructional strategies where staff can know students individually and follow their social and academic progress closely

Using instructional time more effectively, for example, through longer periods that allow for in-depth instruction, and eliminating the use of pull-out programs that reduce the amount of time students spend out of the classroom during the school day

Integrating professional development for monolingual and bilingual/ESL staff into the ongoing instructional activities of the school, for example, through multidisciplinary planning, common preparation periods, and locally designed professional support

Involving parents in their children's education through greater collaboration with teachers and other school staff, and increased engagement in the school's education program

A Schoolwide Program allows a Title I school greater flexibility to create an environment that supports instructional excellence. Sample strategies include:

Characteristic Schoolwide Program Targeted AssistanceSchool Eligibility

All Title I schools in New York City are eligible to apply.

School is at or above average poverty cutoff for the borough.

Student Eligibility

All students in the school participate in the Schoolwide Program.

Students failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet New York State’s content standards. Note: These are the same students that must receive Academic Intervention Services (AIS).

Scope of Program

Whole-school instructional reform that leads to achievement by all students of high state and citywide standards.

Assistance for students with the greatest educational need in order to help them achieve the same high state and citywide standards expected of all students.

Planning School-based planning and a comprehensive school plan are required; one year of planning required prior to implementation of a new Schoolwide Program.

School-based planning required; while schools plan their Schoolwide Programs, they continue as Title I Targeted Assistance schools.

Comparing Title I Targeted Assistance and Schoolwide Programs

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Characteristic Schoolwide Program Targeted AssistanceGeneration of Funds

In participating schools, the number of students who are eligible for free lunch.

In participating schools, the number of students who are eligible for free lunch.

Student Participation

All students Students who are failing or most at risk of failing to meet the state’s challenging standards.

Instructional Approach

Comprehensive building-wide instructional reform that supports achievement of high standards by all students.

Approaches that lead to achievement of high standards by participating students. Preferably, approaches that do not reduce the time participants spend in the regular classroom: For example, push-in, after school programs, and summer programs.

Comparing Title I Targeted Assistance and Schoolwide Programs

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Characteristic Schoolwide Program Targeted AssistanceUse of Funds Flexibility in combining Title I funds

from federal, state, and local resources, with the exception of special education and certain funds allocated specifically for ELL students; funds are used to benefit all students in the school, but must be used to provide Academic Intervention Services to identified students.

Funds may not be combined with other federal, state, and local resources; funds must be used to benefit participating students.

Identification ofParticipating Students

In accordance with the Title I law, “no school participating in a Schoolwide Program shall be required to identify particular children as eligible to participate in this program or to provide supplemental services to such children.”

TA schools are required to identify particular children as eligible to participate in this program or to provide supplemental services to such children.

Comparing Title I Targeted Assistance and Schoolwide Programs

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Characteristic Schoolwide Program Targeted AssistanceUse of Funds Flexibility in combining Title I funds

from federal, state, and local resources, with the exception of special education and certain funds allocated specifically for ELL students; funds are used to benefit all students in the school, but must be used to provide Academic Intervention Services to identified students.

Funds may not be combined with other federal, state, and local resources; funds must be used to benefit participating students.

Identification ofParticipating Students

In accordance with the Title I law, “no school participating in a Schoolwide Program shall be required to identify particular children as eligible to participate in this program or to provide supplemental services to such children.”

TA schools are required to identify particular children as eligible to participate in this program or to provide supplemental services to such children.

Comparing Title I Targeted Assistance and Schoolwide Programs

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Brief Overview of Title I SWP Proposal Planning Process

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Title I TA schools are invited to submit a proposal to become a Title I SWP school each spring.

• To become a Title I SWP school, Title I TA schools must demonstrate and certify that each of the school’s constituent groups (administrators, non-administrative staff and parents) are in support of the school’s proposal to become a Title I SWP school.

• The Title I SWP proposal process is optional and Title I TA schools may choose not to submit a proposal.

• If the Title I TA school successfully completes the Title I SWP proposal process, the school is granted Title I SWP status for the following school year.

• Once the school becomes a Title I SWP school, there is no need for them to submit a proposal in subsequent years, so long as the school remains Title I eligible.

• The school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) is the plan that describes how the school will implement their Schoolwide Program.

How Does a School Become a Schoolwide Program?

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Step 1: The mandatory members of the SLT (Principal, UFT Chapter Leader and the PA/PTA President) agree to apply.

Step 2: The school undertakes a formal school vote for non-administrative staff and for parents.

Step 3: The school develops and submits the SWP Planning Proposal to the Office of State/Federal Education Policy and School Improvement Programs (OSFEP).

Step 4: The OSFEP notifies schools of the approval of the SWP Planning Proposal.

Step 5: The school develops the S/CEP, which serves as the Title I Schoolwide Program Plan.

The decision to become SWP is voluntary. It is based on the joint agreement of the school’s staff, parents and administrators to plan for and implement a Schoolwide Program.

The mandatory members of the SLT must consult with remaining members SLT and the Chairperson of the Title I Parent Committee.

How Do We Conduct a Vote to Become a Title I SWP School?

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Step 1: SLT mandatory members meet and agree to move forward with SWP Planning process. Conduct outreach to remaining SLT members.

Step 2: SLT mandatory members meet and consult with Chairperson of the school’s Title I parent committee.

Step 3: Principal meets and consults with other appointed building administrators.

Step 4: A general meeting of all non-administrative staff is called and facilitated by UFT Chapter Leader. 60% of the staff must vote in the affirmative in support of the SWP proposal.

Step 5: A general meeting of all parents (Title I and non-Title I) is called by the PA or PTA President. The majority of the parents in attendance must vote in the affirmative in support of the SWP proposal.

Participation in the planning of a Title I SWP requires the agreement of all school-level constituent groups.

How Parents Can Support Title I Programs

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Parent involvement in the support of improving student achievement is an important component of the Title I legislation.

Parents of Title I participating children are encouraged to actively support the school’s Title I educational program by doing the following:

becoming more knowledgeable about Title I requirements (parent involvement provisions are outlined in Title I, Part A, Section 1118);

reviewing your school’s Title I Parent Involvement Policy and School-Parent Compact (which are included in the CEP);

reviewing your district’s Title I Parent Involvement Policy (which is included in the district’s plan, distributed during the school’s annual Title I parent meeting and posted on the DOE website);

serving on the Title I parent committee (must be elected by other Title I parents in the school); running for a parent member seat on the School Leadership Team (SLT); attending and participating during regularly scheduled meetings of the Parent Association (PA) or

Parent –Teacher Association (PTA), particularly during those meetings where SLT parent member elections are conducted (all parents in the school are eligible to run and vote);

attending Title I program activities (e.g., workshops, conferences, meetings, including your school’s annual Title I parent meeting which generally occurs in October); and

providing feedback regarding the overall effectiveness of Title I program activities.

Using the SCEP as the Schoolwide Plan

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Title I, Part A, Section 1114 requires that all Schoolwide Plans include the following components:

A comprehensive needs assessmentSchoolwide reform strategies Instruction by Highly Qualified staff (HQT)Plans for high quality and ongoing professional developmentStrategies to attract HQT to high needs schoolsStrategies to increase parental involvementTransition plans to assist preschool children from early childhood programs to

the elementary school programs, if applicableMeasures to include teachers in decisions regarding the use of academic

assessmentsActivities to ensure academically struggling students receive effective and

timely additional assistanceDescribes the coordination and integration of Federal, State and Local

services and programsThe SCEP is used to address these areas and serves as the schoolwide plan.