Title I funds are used differently in each school district. In Prince William County, Title I is primarily an early intervention program for reading and/or math.
SCHOOLS
In the 2008-2009 school year, 21 elementary schools have Title I programs. Those schools are:
PROGRAMS
The Title I programs in Prince William County work with students in reading and/or mathematics. Title I teachers attempt to serve students in the primary grades first so that students can be helped academically before their reading and/or math problems become severe.
Within schools, there are different models of delivering instruction to students. The individual school decides how best to serve its students with the resources available. Some schools instruct students in a totally in-class model. Identified Title I students are taught by the Title I Reading Specialist along with the regular classroom teacher right in their classroom setting, not in a separate Title I room. Some schools do a combination of in-class and pull-out instruction, based upon what works best for the students and teachers involved, and depending upon the instruction planned for that day. Some schools provide Reading Recovery instruction to the lowest-achieving first graders. Reading Recovery is a one-on-one tutoring program designed to accelerate the learning of at-risk first graders until they are reading and writing at an average level in the classroom. Some schools also provide a small-group instructional model for first and/or second graders called STAR (Students Thinking and Reading). This instruction takes place right in the regular classroom setting, and teaches students to use effective reading and writing strategies in order to raise their levels of achievement. The Title I teacher(s) in each school can provide specific information in regards to Title I instruction in their particular school.
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
The programs in all schools have some elements in common:
- Title I instruction is in addition to regular classroom instruction in reading and/or math.
- Title I teachers use several informal, on-going assessment techniques to inform instruction and measure progress.
- Title I teachers must meet periodically with classroom teachers and other specialists to discuss Title I students and instruction.
- All Title I reading students participate in a home reading program.
- Title I teachers send home quarterly progress reports to parents, and must communicate informally with the home as the need arises.
- Title I teachers should hold at least one face-to-face conference with the parents of each Title I student during the year.
- Title I teachers must hold at least three parent meetings during the school year to inform parents about instruction at school and to assist parents in helping their children at home.
- Title I teachers must participate in scheduled professional development activities to continue their own learning.
Updated 11/14/08