What is Title I? 

Title I is the largest federal education program supported through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The current authorization is referred to as the "Every Student Succeeds Act." (ESSA).

Schools are identified for Title I support based on the socio-economic status of the students that attend. Regulations require that schools involve a team of stakeholders, including staff, parents, and community members in determining how funds are best used to meet the needs of a school. Title I schools are held accountable for and support student achievement, school improvement, staff development, and family engagement.

Our Title I facilitator ensures that the Title I initiatives are coordinated and research based to benefit students in their classroom activities, the faculty in their ongoing professional development, and parents for supportive engagement according to federal guidelines. Needs assessments based on surveys, observations, evaluation, data analyses and performance outcomes help determine use of funds for our school. Title I funds are supplement to local support and can be used at the school level in a variety of ways.

College Park Elementary Title I Funds Provide the Following Support:

• Instructional materials for classrooms

• Technology- headphones, site licenses

• Books for classroom libraries

• Supplies to promote family engagement

• Academic Interventionists

• Professional Development Opportunities

• Resources to support educational programs

Family/School Compacts 

Each Title I school jointly develops with parents a family/school compact that outlines how families, the entire school staff, and students share the responsibility for improved achievement. School compacts ensure that each school will provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables children to meet the state's student academic achievement standards. Parents are encouraged to observe or volunteer in their children's classrooms and participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children and the positive use of extracurricular time. Communication between teachers and parents is ongoing at Title I schools and includes parent-teacher conferences during which the compact is discussed as it applies to each child's achievement.

Family Engagement Policy

Family Engagement is an integral part of the Title I Program. Parents are encouraged to become partners in helping their children achieve and become actively involved in all aspects of the process of the Title I Program, from the writing of the plan to its implementation and evaluation. Opportunities for parent involvement include volunteering in our school’s Teacher Hub, serving on the School Improvement Council, family nights, attending quarterly academic Beagle Showcase events, and participation in school-wide meetings.

Each Title I school is required to ask for input from parents regarding the development of a parent engagement policy. This policy explains how the school plans to work with parents to review and improve parent programs and describes how parents can participate in planning these programs.

VIEW OUR POLICY

Family’s Right to Know

Parents may request information regarding the professional qualifications of their student’s teachers, including the following:

• Whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction

• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived

• The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher, any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree

• Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications

• Information on the level of achievement of the parent's child in each of the state academic assessments as required under this part

Teacher qualifications can be accessed at the South Carolina Department of Education's Educator Qualification Search.

Educator Qualification Search.

Title I Planning Team

Our Title I Planning Team is made up of parents, community members, and school staff who are committed to improving school programs and procedures, improving student achievement, and increasing parental engagement. Our Title I Team meets throughout the school year to analyze and evaluate program activities, staff and parent surveys, and school test data.

School Improvement Council

Our School Improvement Council/SIC consists of a panel of parents, community members, and school staff who are committed to school improvement. The SIC is an advisory panel and meets throughout the school year to discuss and develop ways to support our students and their families, increase academic achievement, and improve school climate. Parents wishing to serve on the SIC are nominated and elected by parents at their child’s school. Parent elections are held by October 15 each year. Community members are appointed by the building principal. For more information about serving on our SIC or to learn more how a School Improvement Council serves a school, refer to this website https://www.sc-sic.org/ or contact our Title I Facilitator.

Suggestions and Requests

If you have any suggestions or concerns, or would like to view a copy of our Title I Plan, please let us know by contacting us by email, phone, or note. Our contact number is 843-797-2711. You may also send a note through your child's teacher or contact Dr. Cappello directly.