Title I is the largest federal aid program for elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States. Title I is part of the NO Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). This legislation grants federal funds to schools with large numbers of low-income children to provide extra educational services that help students achieve at high levels.
Children in Title I schools in the MSD of Martinsville will have access to additional staff (highly qualified teachers and aides) and academic programs to support their learning. Children also benefit from teacher and staff training and curriculum materials that are paid for with Title I funds.
Teachers, administrators, and other school staff at Title I schools work to identify students most in need of educational help (regardless of income) and measure student progress using state and local standards. Small group instruction, after school tutoring, and parent workshops are some of the services provided by Title I funding.
Schools with poverty rates of 40% or higher are eligible to implement a school-wide program to improve student achievement throughout the entire school. All school staff focus on upgrading the entire educational program and improving the achievement of all students, particularly those who are low achieving. In addition, a school improvement plan must be developed and implemented with the involvement of parents, teachers, principals, and administrators. Essentially, a school-wide program helps a school do more for all of its students.
All Title I schools have a written plan for how they will involve parents. Title I holds an annual meeting during open house to inform parents of the school’s plans for using Title I funds. In addition, all Title I schools offer a fall and spring reading workshop to help parents play an active role in their child’s education. Parents who are interested in serving on a Title I planning committee should contact their school principal or Title I teacher.
MSD of Martinsville has requested an Ed-Flex Waiver from the IDOE for increased flexibility in paraprofessional requirements. MSD of Martinsville will accept the following: Two years of college experience; a two year college degree; Passed the Parapro Assessment; one year or 1,000 hours in a school setting/environment; or CDA credentials, and completion of all MSD of Martinsville required professional development modules/training. If you would like additional information or object to this waiver, please contact Lisa Sonnega, MSD of Martinsville Title I Coordinator at [email protected] or 765-342-6641 ext. 1067.
Current Federal Law: No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) established that any instructional paraprofessional employed after January 8, 2002, must either have completed two years of college, hold a two-year degree, or pass a state or local assessment. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), paraprofessionals must continue to meet the federal standards used under the NCLB.
The Title I Programs of the MSD of Martinsville are committed to building a strong parent-school partnership by following parental policy guidelines in accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as listed below:
Parent Involvement Policy Requirements
Through the use of written correspondence, conferences, surveys, meetings, and/or phone calls, each MSD of Martinsville Title I school pledges to:
*If the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville’s Title I Parent Involvement Policy is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, the school district will submit parent comments with the plan when it submits the plan to the Indiana Department of Education.
MSD of Martinsville has requested an Ed-Flex Waiver from the IDOE for increased flexibility in Title IV spending requirements for LEAs that receive more than $30,000. MSD of Martinsville utilizes Title IV on the focus areas of providing a well-rounded education and supporting safe and healthy schools. Without the waiver, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that some funding be devoted to providing high quality digital learning to underserved students, and preparing staff to utilize technology to this key area. The MSD of Martinsville was recently awarded a Digital Learning Family & Support Grant that serves that purpose. Additionally, the District operates under a Flexibility Waiver that allows each Wednesday to be a late arrival for Professional Learning Communities, so professional development is already embedded in this systematic approach. If you would like additional information or object to this waiver, please contact Jenny Oakley at [email protected] or 765-342-6641 ext. 1066.
