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Title I Reading Program General Information for Parents Title I is the largest federally funded educational program in the nation. It is the cornerstone of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The purpose of the Title I Reading Program is to help low achieving students achieve high academic standards in reading and writing by offering supplemental instruction in these academic areas.
T-I funding is determined by the state, based upon the census number of families who reside in the district and earn an established set-income level. Once the state allocates T-I money to school districts, each district may identify eligible school buildings based upon the percentage of free and reduced lunches. Schools with 35% or more of its students eligible for free or reduced lunches may receive T-I funding. This money is then used to offer supplemental instruction to educationally disadvantaged students. These students are identified for T-I services based upon multiple eligibility criteria.
This year, three elementary buildings in our district are eligible to receive T-I funding, as per the 35% rule for free and reduced lunches. One school, however, was not eligible; as a result, the Berwick Area School District applied for a waiver from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Fortunately, the waiver was granted entitling all district elementary schools to receive T-I funding for the current school year. This waiver now allows the district to offer supplemental T-I reading instruction for educationally disadvantaged students in grades K-5 in all four elementary buildings.
Berwick Area School District’s Title I Reading Program utilizes Reading Specialists and highly-qualified, elementary certified, teaching, assistants to instruct students in class during the Communications or Language Arts block of time. All T-I teachers instruct students in small groups through a variety of teaching methods and materials. This supplemental instruction helps ensure that eligible children receive assistance to meet performance standards. T-I teachers work closely with classroom teachers and staff members to determine how to best meet the needs of the children.
Parental Involvement is a vital component of the Title I program. Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meetings are held during the year at various locations to offer parents the opportunity to become better acquainted with the Title I program and teachers. Parents can share in the planning process of the parent/child activities, trainings, and design of the Title I instructional program. If you are a parent or guardian of a Title I student in the Berwick Area School District and wish to become more involved with your school's Title I program, feel free to contact me at cpasukinis@berwicksd.org.
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