What is Title I?
Title I is a national federal assistance program for schools. This program helps students obtain a quality education to meet and exceed academic standards. A school-wide program serves all students in eligible schools. A targeted assistance school serves only students who meet specific criteria. Schools in the Tomah District that qualify for school-wide Title I funding include: Miller, Lemonweir, Warrens, Wyeville, Camp Douglas and Oakdale. Queen of the Apostles and St. Paul’s Lutheran schools receive targeted-assistance. Identified students receive academic remediation through the Title I program following the RtI (Response to Intervention) model. A school-wide Title I program allows eligible schools to use Title I funds to provide for the following:
- Small group instruction
- Special instructional spaces and equipment
- Instruction by highly qualified teachers
- Extra time that students need for teaching the skills
- Additional teaching materials that supplement regular instruction.
- Opportunities for professional development
- Opportunities for family involvement
School-Wide Requirements:
Comprehensive Needs Assessment: The school must identify areas of greatest need.
- Standardized Tests: AIMSweb, STAR, PALS, i-Ready, and Wisconsin State Testing
- Classroom based assessments and performance
- Teacher recommendation
School-wide reform strategies to include those that:
- Strengthen the core academic program
- Increase the amount and quality of learning time
- Develop strategies for meeting needs of underserved populations
- Address needs of all, but particularly low—achieving students
- Parental involvement strategies
Parents' Right to Know:
In accordance with federal law, we gladly share the qualifications of our teachers. All teachers in the TASD have at least a bachelor's degree and are licensed for their teaching assignment. The majority of our staff has completed the necessary graduate work and has an advanced degree in their field.
You are entitled to the following infomation in regard to teacher qualifications:
- If your child's teacher is licensed to teach the grades/subjects assigned
- Requirements waived by the state for your child's teacher
- Major your child's teacher held in college
- Deegree(s) that your child's teacher holds
- Qualifictations of instructional aides working with your child (if applicable)
We are happy to pull the qualifications of your child's teacher. These records are also available for public record on the DPI website.
BOE Policy 2261.02 "Title I - Parents' Right to Know"
Parent Involvement:
A home environment that encourages learning is more important to student achievement than income, education level or socio-economic background. Parents can influence the success of their child in school more than any teacher or federal program.
Research shows that how well children do in school depends a great deal upon how much their parents are involved in their education. You can become more involved by:
- Joining school and local parent groups such as your school’s PTO.
- Volunteering at school.
- Attending open house, parent-teacher conferences, school sponsored family events and communicating with your child’s teacher.
- Returning all papers including parent surveys and Title I compact.
- Keeping your child’s teacher informed about events in your child’s life which may affect his/ her performance and attendance at school.
- Asking, “How was school today?” and asking it everyday.
- Monitoring take home folder and/or assignment notebook.
- Reading to, or with, your child regularly.
We know learning is maximized when everyone involved is actively working together. All teachers, parents, and students will be asked to sign a compact. The compact is an agreement between the parents, students, and the school to help ensure each child’s academic success. By signing the compact, all parties agree to work together to improve learning. This compact is required by federal Title I guidelines. View a sample compact.
BOE Policy 2261.01 "Parent and Family Engagement in Title I Programs"
More Information:
BOE Policy 2261 "Title I Services"
Minutes from the last Title I PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) Meeting