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Title 1 Program

Title 1 is a federal funded program which was reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (P.L. 114-95), better known as ESSA. The law, which was signed into effect on December 10, 2015, amends the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 (ESEA), and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The act is intended to ensure that states: hold all students to high academic standards, prepare all students for success in college and career, guarantee steps are taken to help students and their schools improve, and promote and invest in local innovation.  Title 1 supports state and local school reform efforts by offering improved teaching and learning opportunities to help low-achieving students meet our state’s challenging academic content and performance standards.

Individual public schools with elevated low socio-economic rates may use Title 1 funds to operate a school-wide program that upgrades the instructional program for the whole school.  School-wide programs are based on effective means of improving student achievement and include strategies to support parent and family engagement. Title 1 offers a variety of services for participating schools, which may include: additional teachers and support staff, extra time for instruction, a variety of teaching methods and materials, smaller classes, and additional training and professional development for staff.

Parent and Family Engagement

School-wide programs must ensure effective involvement of parents and support a partnership among the school, parents, and the community to improve academic achievement. Each school and District must provide various services and trainings as required by law. At a minimum the District and Title 1 schools must:

  • Provide assistance to parents to understand the State’s academic standards, the State and local assessment standards, and how to work with educators to improve their child’s achievement
  • Provide materials and training to help parents work with their child and support their academic growth, such as literacy and technology training
  • Educate teachers, principals, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of the contribution of parents and how to communicate with and work with parents as equal partners
  • In so far as it is feasible, coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with other Federal, State, and local programs
  • Provide information to families in a uniform format, and to the extent practicable, in a language parents can understand
  • Provide reasonable support for family engagement activities

Title 1 Campuses

Abilene ISD has certified staff, paraprofessionals (including highly qualified instructional aides), and parent coordinators that work on 10 elementary campuses and the Early Childhood Center.  Extra assistance provided by Title 1 impacts over 6,500 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 5 at these school-wide, Title 1 campuses:

  • Alcorta Elementary
  • Bassetti Elementary
  • Bonham Elementary
  • Bowie Elementary
  • Dyess Elementary
  • Martinez Elementary
  • Ortiz Elementary
  • Purcell Elementary
  • Stafford Elementary
  • Thomas Elementary
  • Long Early Learning Center

Title 1 and campus staff work together to plan additional instructional opportunities for each student.  On-going parental participation in the educational process is strongly encouraged and supported.  Abilene ISD’s Title 1 campuses believe that all students can learn; that all adults should work together to promote student success; that learning is a life-long process; and that high expectations produce quality results and personal bests for all students.  Abilene ISD’s Title 1 campuses excel at educating all children, regardless of economic circumstances— we truly “Connect – Lead – Succeed” in AISD.

Title 1 Programs

Abilene ISD utilizes its Title 1 funds to provide supplementary highly qualified personnel, instructional support, and assistance to the early childhood center and 9 elementary campuses.  The assistance provided at each Title 1 campus varies based upon their comprehensive needs assessments. Title 1 assistance within Abilene ISD includes:

  • Bilingual/ESL – Title 1 funds a salary supplement for Bilingual/ESL teachers; provides Bilingual/ESL instructional aides; and supports the program with a variety of instructional materials.
  • Curriculum Support – Title 1 supports its Title 1 campuses by supplementing their efforts in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies with additional supplies, materials, staffing, and professional development.
  • Homeless/Foster Care – Title 1 funds a Homeless/Foster Care Liaison who works with all campuses in identifying and providing support services for students in transitional situations. Additional tutoring assistance is provided to academically struggling homeless-identified students. Two social workers are available to assist unaccompanied youth and other homeless students.
  • Juvenile Transition – This part-time duty of the Homeless Liaison assists students released from the Juvenile Detention Center as they transition back into the regular campus environment with the hopes of providing those students with their best chance for success.
  • Literacy Success/LLI – The Literacy Success program is implemented on every Title 1 elementary campus and targets students in grades K- 5 who are below grade level in reading. This reading intervention program utilizes Fountas and Pinnell’s Benchmark Assessment System to assess each student’s reading and comprehension ability in order to determine their instructional level for guided reading and to identify specific instructional needs.  The Leveled Library Intervention System is used to provide supplemental intervention for struggling students that is conducted in small groups of 4 to 6 students that meet for 30 minutes daily. Title 1 also funds supplemental Literacy Success teachers at 9 Title 1 campuses.
  • Literacy Library – This is a supplemental library of leveled readers available on the Title 1 elementary campuses. It contains high interest, leveled books that are available for check out by teachers. There are over 1,100 different titles and six copies of each title.
  • Parent Activity Centers – Once each semester, parents from the Title 1 schools are provided an opportunity to convene and participate in educational support meetings at their child’s campus. Topics and activities focus on helping parents acquire skills that will enable them to better support their children’s learning at home.
  • Parent Coordinators/Involvement – The Title 1 campuses have a Parent Coordinator who coordinates parent involvement and engagement activities, including at least two Parent Activity Centers and two Parent Advisory Committees each year.
  • Pre-Kindergarten (Early Childhood) – Title 1 supports AISD’s Pre-Kindergarten program at the Early Childhood Centers by providing supplemental staffing to increase the quality and length of program services from half-day to full-day.
  • Staff Development / Professional Development – On-going staff development is offered for the various Title 1 programs to allow for the most effective use of Title 1 resources and best instructional practices.
  • Supplemental Staff – Many Title 1 elementary campuses utilize their Title 1 funds to acquire additional classroom teachers and/or instructional aides. This greatly reduces the number of students for each teacher allowing for more individualized attention toward meeting students’ academic needs.  These supplemental teachers may serve as class-size reduction teachers, skills-development teachers, behavior support specialists, and/or intervention specialists in reading or math.
  • Technology (Supplemental) –Title 1 campuses have utilize supplemental technology in the form of iPads, Chromebooks, document cameras, and interactive white boards. Use of this supplemental technology supports PK-5 learning and on-going assessment in the classroom through individualized, leveled applications and programs in reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies.  Additionally, the classroom-based technology provides students with programs and activities that encourage and support technology integration into all areas of teaching and learning.
  • Tutoring – Tutoring is offered for students residing at Abilene’s facilities for the neglected: Ben Richey Boys Ranch and Hendrick Home for Children.  Additionally, before and/or after-school tutoring can be made available as needed for students identified as being homeless.
  • Positive Behavior Support Liaisons – Behavior Support Liaisons are assigned to three Title 1 campuses.The Positive Behavior Support Liaison uses individual and group guidance and problem-solving techniques to develop positive and support relationships with children. The goals of the role are:
    • to encourage and teach positive social skills and interaction among children;
    • to promote positive strategies of conflict resolution;
    • to develop personal self-control, self-motivation, and self-esteem in students. To collaborate with parents, teachers, school/district staff, and community members to help students resolve personal, emotional, and social problems that interfere with their adjustment to school and their ability to enjoy the benefits of the educational process.

Below you’ll find all Title 1 documents: