Title I
Title I is a federal program that was established to narrow the gap in academic achievement between low-income students and their peers by providing supplemental funding to school districts. Title I is included as part of the larger Every Student Succeeds Act. Sylacauga City Schools uses Title I funding for a variety of purposes at three of the district's schools. Teachers providing supplemental instruction are employed for each of the district's Title I schools. Supplemental instructional materials and educational technology are purchased as well.
As a requirement for receiving Title I funds, each school must develop a Continuous Improvement Plan. This is a detailed plan of how the faculty, administration, parents and students will utilize the Title I funds to improve the academic achievement of the school. The plan is based upon a comprehensive needs assessment at each school. This allows the school's Continuous Improvement Team to address the most critical needs at the school. The local school budget for Title I funds is developed by the team at the school to meet accountability standards and improve student achievement. This is known as school-wide authority. The CIP for each school can be found at the school. Parents are encouraged to participate in planning for the development of both the district and local school Title I plans. For additional information about the Title I program at your child's school, you may contact the principal.
Title I schools are also required to take measures to improve parental involvement in the educational process. Studies have shown what all good teachers know- having a parent take an active part in a child's education yields improvement in the academic achievement of the student. A portion of the Title I funding awarded to the district is set aside for use in supporting activities to improve parental involvement.
Parents' Right to Know
Sylacauga City Schools receives federal funds for Title I programs that are part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). We strive to employ the most qualified teachers for the students in our system. For parents at Title I funded schools, in accordance with the law, you have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher(s). If you request this information, the district will provide you with the following as soon as possible:
- If the teacher has met state qualification and licensing requirements for the grade level and subjects in which the teacher is providing instruction;
- If the teacher is under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualifications or licensing criteria have been waived;
- If the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher; and
- If your child is receiving Title I services from paraprofessionals and, if so, his/her qualifications.
If you would like to receive this information, please contact your local school principal and ask for the form “Parents Right to Know”.
Title II
Title II contains funding for teacher and principal training and recruitment efforts at the state and local level, as well as teacher training at institutions of higher education. Title II monies are designed to rectify the problems of large numbers of students being taught by teachers with inadequate content knowledge and preparation in the subjects they are teaching.
English Learner / Title III
Sylacauga City Schools does not receive Title III funding to aid in English Language acquisition. While we do not receive this federal funding, Sylacauga City Schools continues to provide English language instruction to students for which English is not their first language. English Learner (EL) students are not excluded from special opportunity programs for the academically gifted, or other specialized activities based on English language proficiency, or identified for special education services because of language proficiency. English Learners are allowed to participate in Title I services on the same basis as all students in Title I participating schools.
Questions regarding the English Learner program may be directed the Federal Programs Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Rosato.
