What is Title 1?

Title I is a federal program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that provides supplementary funds and services to school districts and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children who are disadvantaged.

Its overall purpose is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, the level of “proficiency” on challenging state academic achievement standards and assessments.

Qualifying Factors

Public Schools:

A school district determines its programs based on student needs. Janesville’s Title I program provides literacy support for designated grade levels. Occasionally, math support will also be provided at these grade levels.

A school qualifies for Title I services based on the average poverty level of the school area. If a school qualifies for Title I in Janesville, it is considered “School Wide Title I”, and any student who is in need of extra support is eligible regardless of family income. It is up to the school to determine how the support is provided.

Parochial Schools:

The federal grant contains provisions for ensuring that children who are disadvantaged and enrolled in private schools also benefit from the academic enrichment services funded with Title I, Part A funds.Non-public school students who live in the attendance area of a Title I public school are eligible for Title I services. If the non-public school they attend requests services, nonpublic students are offered services based on the students’ needs rankings.

Parent and/or teacher recommendations, classroom performance, and performance on assessments are used to select children who show potential and need extra help in a smaller classroom setting. A student may remain in the program until test scores or recommendations show special help is no longer needed. If a child who has been selected for Title I transfers to another title school, that child will continue to receive services as room is available.