Title I Schools
The purpose of Title I, Part A is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education and help ensure that all children meet challenging academic standards. Title I-A provides financial assistance to districts and schools who serve a larger population of children from families experiencing poverty. By providing additional resources, the program is intended to help close the opportunity gaps and thus the achievement gap that some students experience. As outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title I-A funded schools may implement one of two approaches: 1) a School-wide Program or 2) a Targeted Assistance Program (ESSA Sections 1114 and 1115). School wide programs funded under Title I, Part A offer the opportunity to invest in strategies that help all students, because all students in a school wide program can be serve (ESSA Section 1114(a)(2)(A)). While many schools target services to the most in-need students, a school wide program allows for the implementation of tiered supports addressing student needs at every level.
Two schools in the Newberg School District are designated as Title I Schools. These schools receive additional funding for programs and services designed to improve learning opportunities for eligible students. In addition, Title I schools are required to employ highly qualified teachers in core academic subjects.
Edwards Elementary School and Joan Austin Elementary School both operate a school wide Program, which is a comprehensive reform strategy designed to upgrade the entire educational program in Title I schools with more than 40 percent poverty.
Parents of Students Enrolled in Title I Schools May Inquire about Teacher Qualifications
The Newberg School District is committed to providing quality instruction for all students and does so by employing the most qualified individuals to teach and support each student in the classroom. All teachers who teach in core academic subject areas are required to be Highly Qualified.
A “Highly Qualified Teacher” is the term used for a teacher who demonstrates that he or she knows the subjects he or she is teaching, has a college degree, and is state-certified. Parents of children enrolled in a Title I School may request information concerning the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher(s) including the degrees held, certifications held, and whether the teacher is certified in the area he/she is teaching. A request for this information may be submitted to the school principal.
Highly Qualified teachers are fully certified and/or licensed by the state; hold at least a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution; and demonstrate competence in each core academic subject area in which they teach. Oregon’s school report cards report Highly Qualified information about your school and district.
Title I schools must notify parents if their child has been assigned, or has been taught for at least four consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet the Highly Qualified criteria. Parents also may request information concerning whether their child is receiving instruction by a teacher assistant, and if so, his/her qualifications.
The School Wide Planning forms for Edwards Elementary and Joan Austin Elementary are linked here. The presentations regarding Title IA and Parent Rights for Edwards and Joan Austin are also linked here.
Contact
Jillian Felizarta
Director and Grants Compliance Officer
[email protected]