Introduction

Title I was enacted in 1965 under President Johnson's Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  This is a federal program that has helped fund programs across the United States.  The ESEA was reauthorized on January 8, 2002, when President George W. Bush signed the bipartisan bill commonly known as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.  Today NCLB represents a significant increase in Federal Government involvement in education by allocating increased funding to more financially distressed school districts.

Octorara's Program

Octorara Area School District has received Title I funding in the amount of approximately $720,000. Reading programs supported by these funds are found in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The funds are largely used to support staffing for these programs.

Supplemental reading instruction that is offered through Title I is in addition to regular classroom reading instruction.  The Title I Reading Specialists work closely with your child's classroom teacher to design appropriate instruction.  They offer a variety of teaching strategies and materials depending upon each child's strengths and weaknesses.  Depending on your child's needs, the Title I program provides extra time for reading instruction through both push-in (assistance given in the classroom) and pull-out (students are taken out of the classroom to work in a separate area) methods.

Parent Involvement

The Title I program encourages parents to be involved in their children's education.  Research has proven that parental participation in schooling improves student learning.  Most Title I reading students have books sent home to read each night, Monday through Thursday, to read with a family member.  Our Reading Incentive programs involve children and parents reading together on a daily basis.  Throughout the school year, Title I offers several opportunities for parents to participate in their children's education through workshops that will provide information on how you can help your child with homework and to improve reading skills.  Newsletters are also sent home containing helpful hints and creative ideas for making learning a family fun activity.

If a parent/guardian has any questions about the reading instruction that your child receives in the Title I program, it is extremely important to contact the Title I Reading Specialist in your child's building.  Any parent who needs additional assistance or information should contact the building principal or Dr. Thomas Newcome, Superintendent and Title I Coordinator.

Under Title I, Part A Parental Notice Requirements, parents may request certain information on the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers and paraprofessionals providing services to their child.

Please select from the links on the left to view useful tools in helping your child succeed.