Mission of Title I/MTSS (Multi-Tier Systems of Support)
"To provide additional instruction to targeted students for what they need to know to be successful in grade-level standards in reading and mathematics."

What is Title I?

• Title I is a federally funded program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, which was most recently reauthorized in 2015 as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
• It is a source of funds to assist schools in providing additional instruction for students who need it in the areas of reading and mathematics.

Why do some schools receive Title I funds and others don't?

• Title I funds are targeted at public schools with the greatest economic need, as determined by comparing the average percent of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch with the district's average.
• Schools whose average is greater than the district's average qualify for Title I funds.
• For 2024-2025, the district average is 30% with JES being 35%.

How do students become eligible for Title I services?

• When it comes to receiving services, it has nothing to do with economic needs and everything to do with academic needs.
• The criterion for eligibility is to be performing below grade level expectations in reading and/or mathematics as determined by local and national assessments such as FASTBridge.
• Teachers monitor the progress of students and refer students to our MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) Teams who meet this criterion.

What kind of assistance is given to students receiving Title I services?

• Students may receive extra help in reading and/or mathematics from a licensed Title I teacher or a highly-qualified paraprofessional.
• Assistance is usually given in a small group setting, where students get instruction targeted to their academic needs, guided practice, and immediate feedback.
• The Title I program also uses specific intervention program(s) in reading and math with staff who are specially trained to deliver the program(s).

Did you know - teacher quality matters?
Teacher quality is important for your child's achievement. If your child attends a Title I school, you have the right to know if your child's teacher:

• is certified for the grade level and subject he or she is teaching
• is teaching under emergency or provisional status (which may mean teaching a subject he or she is not fully qualified to teach)
• received a degree in certain subjects, and what level of education he or she has
• is utilizing support paraprofessionals and the qualifications of those paraprofessionals
• is not highly qualified