Dear Parent or Guardian,
Title I is the largest federal funding source for education under the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015), a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965). Title I allocates funds to schools based on student enrollment and the percentage of low-income families in the school. A school qualifies as a School-Wide Title I Program if at least 40% of its student population qualifies for Free or Reduced Breakfast/Lunch. All of the schools in Spencer County qualify as Title I School-Wide Programs this school-year.
The primary focus of Title I is to help disadvantaged students reach grade-level proficiency, especially in the areas of reading and math. Title I funds are used to provide high-quality educational support to students regardless of race, gender or socio-economic level. These funds are used in Spencer County to provide educational support to students with teachers, instructional assistants and materials.
Parent involvement is also a major focus of Title I. Parents and guardians are encouraged to be involved in the instructional program and planning process of their childโs school. Research indicates that parent involvement is one of the major factors in student learning.
Again, our district receives federal funds for Title I, Part A programs as a part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Under ESSA, you have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of your childโs teacher(s). If you request this information, the district will provide you with the following:
Whether the teacher has met the state requirements for licensure and certification for the grade levels and subject matters in which the teacher provides instruction;
Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree; and
Whether your child is provided services by paraeducators, and if so, their qualifications.
Title I and the Kentucky Department of Education both require instructional staff members to be classified as โHighly Qualified.โ
Sincerely,
Dr. Willie Foster
Superintendent
If you have questions or concerns about ESSA or Title I in Spencer County, you may contact Mandy Howie at Central Office.
