Understanding Title I: Empowering Parents and Students in Walton County Schools

1. Title I Facts for Parents Walton County School District 2013-2014

2. What is Title I? • Title I is a federal program designed to offer supplemental services and supplies to schools with a high rate of poverty. • The goal of Title I is to give EVERY child a high-quality education.

3. Importance of Title I • Title I can help: • Children to be more successful in school • Parents to have a voice in their child’s education • Teachers to collaborate with parents to assist their child’s education

4. The Basics of Title I • The Title I program starts with: • The Federal Government • They provide funds to the states each year for Title I after the state sends a plan in detailing • What children know and should be able to do • High- quality standards that children are expected to meet • Ways that student progress will be measured

5. The Basics of Title I • State Education Agencies (The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE)) receive the money from the Federal Government. • The Florida Department of Education will then send the money to the districts based on the number of families that receive free and reduced lunches

6. The Basics of Title I • Once the Local School District receives the money from the State • The Local School District then identifies eligible schools and distributes the funds

7. The Basics of Title I • When the funds have been received by the Title I schools the parents, administrators, teachers and staff devise a plan to: • Identify students who need the most help • Measure student progress using the state standards • Develop programs that help to supplement classroom instruction • Involve parents in every part of the program

8. Walton County Title I Schools • In Walton County we currently have 5 schools that are considered Title I schools: • West DeFuniak Elementary • Mossy Head School • Maude Saunders Elementary • Freeport Elementary • Walton Academy Charter School

9. Programs Offered by Title I • Title I offers programs to help student achievement such as: • Additional teachers and paraprofessionals • Additional training for school staff • Extra time for instruction • Various teaching methods and materials • Tutoring

10. Parents Matter! • Parents are “SUPER” important to your child’s education • Your involvement shows: • How important your child is • How education is important to you • That you and the school are a team

11. Parents Matter! • Communication is KEY: • Share information about your child • Assess whether your child’s needs are being met • Be sure to look over progress reports • Ask questions

12. How to Help • Work with your child at home • Volunteer in the school • Communicate with your child & the school staff • Become and stay involved in your school and district parent involvement councils to have input in - • Determining goals for the Title I program • Planning and carrying out the Title I program • Evaluating the Title I program

13. Get Involved • Attend meetings and read our compact and plans • Annual Title I Meeting • Provides information about Title I and your rights and responsibilities as a parent • Describes what the school is offering to meet students’ needs • Provides access to other parents as well as teachers for collaboration • The Parent-School Compact • States the goals and responsibilities of school, parents and students • Title I Parent Involvement Plan • Allows parents to understand and take part in your child’s education

14. Get Involved • Get to know your child’s school • Attend school events • Visit the classroom • Volunteer in the school • Join organizations for the parents • Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences • Request additional meetings • Stay informed • Keep teachers informed • Ask about informational programs

15. Continue Learning at Home • Set a good example at home • Let your child see you: • Read the newspaper, magazines or books • Write letters, grocery lists or in a journal • Use math to prepare a budget, compare prices or even when cooking

16. Continue Learning at Home • Make Learning Fun!!!!!! • Help your child build language, reading and math skills • Play games • Crosswords, dot to dot, tic-tac-toe, word games • Outings • Help your child read signs while shopping • Trips • Create stories about where you are going, count license plates from different states

17. Use Your Resources • Visit the public library • Check out materials available at your school • Read to your child • Ask your child to read to you

18. Ways to Engage Your Child • Meet your child on common ground when trying to engage them on the importance of their education. • Limit TV time • Encourage good study habits • Allow breaks • Agree on a set study time • Arrange a quiet place to work • Show respect for study time • Be ready to HELP

19. Show Interest • Let your child know you are interested in his or her day. • Ask detailed questions • What are you learning about in Science? • What was your favorite part of Math today? • What did you do in PE today? • What book are you reading in class this week?

20. Show Interest • Ask to see your child’s schoolwork • DO show your interest • DO talk about school in a positive way • DO ask questions • DO have your child explain the lesson to you • DON’T criticize • DON’T compare it to another child’s work

21. Show Interest • Praise your child on their effort and improvement • Let your child know you are proud of them • Do not make grades the primary focus

22. Join Title I • Learn about your local Title I program • Take advantage of what Title I has to offer • Get involved in your child’s education

23. Walton County School District Title I Department Please contact us if you have any questions 850-892-1154