Overview and purpose of Title I, Part A
Title I, Part A helps to provide local educational agencies (LEAs) with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families with funds to help ensure that these students are receiving the same quality education as all students, helping them to meet challenging state academic standards. Engaging with parents, families and communities is one, important aspect of this program. Schools and LEAs must actively engage the parents and families of Title I eligible students in the development of state and local education plans, school improvement plans as well as Title II, III, and IV plans and applications.
- Each LEA and school must have a written parent and family engagement policy developed jointly with, agreed on with, and distributed to parents and family members of participating children. This policy will be incorporated into the LEA’s plan establishing the expectations and objectives for meaningful parent and family involvement.
- The LEA conducts outreach to all parents and family members and implements programs, activities and procedures for the involvement of parents and family members. These programs, activities, and procedures shall be planned and implemented with meaningful consultation with parents of participation children.
- Additional outreach may be required to ensure the involvement of the necessary parents and advocates: surveys, home visits, evening/weekend meetings, child care or child activities during meetings, interpreters, personal invitations, partnerships with community health centers, etc.
- LEAS must provide the coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to build the capacity of all participating schools within the LEA in planning and implementing effective parent and family involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance, which may include meaningful consultation with employers, business leaders, and philanthropic organizations, or individuals with expertise in effectively engaging parents and family members in education.