Title I Program

Title I is a federally funded program through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) designed to provide supplemental support services to students in meeting high academic standards.

The U.S. Department of Education makes annual appropriations of funds to state educational agencies (SEA) and states follow a formula to distribute these funds to local educational agencies (LEA). State educational agencies (SEAs) receive annual funding from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are then distributed to local educational agencies (LEAs) by the states using a specific formula.

What are some common Title I Services?

In Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, Title I services follow two different models.

• "Schoolwide” model at Pleasantview Elementary and
• “Targeted Services” model at Mississippi Heights Elementary

In a Schoolwide model, all students in the school are provided with additional support that addresses identified needs by the school. Pleasantview focuses on providing support in reading and indirectly supports attendance, social-emotional learning, along with behavior success.

Mississippi Heights follows a Targeted Service model, which serves eligible students identified as having the greatest need for assistance because they are not meeting or at risk of not meeting state academic standards. Targeted Assistance Programs provide services only to the identified students and their families in reading, but also indirectly support attendance, social-emotional learning, along with behavior success.

Do all schools in Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools have a Title I program?

No. The Federal law requires that Title I programs are available in schools with the greatest concentration of students eligible for educational benefits. Sauk Rapids-Rice Title I schools include Pleasantview Elementary and Mississippi Heights Elementary.

How can parents/guardians be involved?

In both schoolwide and Targeted Services models, parents have a variety of ways to get involved, and we encourage parents/guardians to do so. Each school offers a variety of ways to engage parents, so please reach out specifically to the school and/or check out the school’s webpage for more specific details.

District Title I Parent and Family Engagement Plan

Parents are encouraged to participate in Title I meetings and learning opportunities; some of these learning opportunities may include math, reading and STEAM Nights. We encourage you to request important communications with your school, when needed and practicable, in a language that you can understand.

As a parent/guardian, you have the right to…

• Individual progress reports that let you know how your child is progressing
• *The professional qualifications of teachers and instructional paraprofessionals
• Notification if the student’s teacher has limited state certification/licensure
• Information on state and local assessments
• State or LEA policy regarding student participation on assessments.  More information on assessments can be found at isd47.org/academics/assessments

*Professional Qualifications in a Title I school

Parents of children attending Title I, Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the teachers and paraprofessionals who provide instruction to students.

Teacher Qualifications
This information indicates if the teacher...

• Has met state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
• Is teaching under an emergency or other provisional status where state-specific requirements or licensing criteria have been waived.
• Is teaching in the assigned field of certification/licensure.

Paraprofessional Qualifications
In a Title I, Part A school, instructional paraprofessionals must work under the supervision of a certified teacher. To meet Title I, Part A requirements, paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or GED and must have one of the following:

• Completed at least two years of student from a higher education institution
• Obtained an Associate’s or higher degree.
• Passed the required state-approved assessment measuring skills and content knowledge related to reading, writing, and mathematics.

Parents have the right to receive timely notice if their child has been assigned or has been taught for more than four consecutive weeks by a teacher who has a limited licensure.