Title I Schoolwide Program Proposal for Change

What is Title I  Title I — A Federal Program with the goal of Improving The Academic Achievement Of the Disadvantaged.  Title I — A Federal Program with the goal of Improving The Academic Achievement Of the Disadvantaged.  The purpose of this title is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on New Jersey Common Core Standards and state academic assessments.

Funding  The basic principles of Title 1 state that schools with large concentrations of low- income students will receive supplemental funds to assist in meeting student’s educational goals. Low-income students are determined by the number of students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. For an entire school to qualify for Title 1 funds, at least 40% of students must enroll in the free and reduced lunch program.

Understanding Title I Program Models  Targeted Assistance Program (current Bound Brook Elementary School Program).  Schoolwide Program (proposed Bound Brook Elementary School Program).

Targeted Assistance Program (current program)  Eligibility: A school is eligible for a targeted assistance Title I program if it serves an eligible Title I school attendance area.  Allowable Expenditures A targeted assistance school uses Title I funds to support programs for eligible children, i.e., children who are failing, or at risk of failing, to meet the state’s standards.  Student Selection A targeted assistance school is required to identify participants in the Title I program using educationally related, objective, and uniformly applied criteria.

Schoolwide Program (proposed Program )  Schoolwide Eligibility: A school is eligible to become a Title I schoolwide program if it has a poverty level of at least 40 percent and it is receiving Title I funding.  Allowable Expenditures: A schoolwide program uses Title I funds to upgrade the entire educational program of the school. Title I funds can be used to serve all children.  Student Selection: A schoolwide program is not required to identify particular children as eligible for Title I services.

Why Change?  Approximately 74% of Bound Brook Elementary School students meet the requirements to receive Free or Reduced lunch.  Approximately 70% of Bound Brook Elementary School students speak a language other than English in their homes  Fifty-six percent of the total student population in Grades three through eight failed to attain proficiency in Language Arts Literacy as measured by NJASK state assessment.  Thirty- four percent of the total student population in Grades three through eight failed to attain proficiency in Mathematics as measured by NJASK state assessment.

Why Change to Schoolwide model?  The numbers indicate the need for comprehensive schoolwide reform to assist all students in meeting the rigorous demands of the New Jersey Core Content Curriculum Standards. That comprehensive reform includes:  Reviewing all current Bound Brook curriculum, resources, and materials and to ensure alignment to the Common Core Standards.  Providing sustained high quality professional development to assist all elementary school teachers and staff in raising the academic achievement of all children.

Next steps  Parents and community are a vital part of the educational program. There will be a Title I Parent Involvement breakfast with the Title I Coordinator at Lafayette School on April 2, 2014, 9:00.  If you are unable to attend, please forward any questions about Title I to Ms. Fischer at