Title I, Part A

The program serves students in early learning, preschool programs, and kindergarten through high school who have demonstrated the need for additional educational assistance. Title I, Part A services are available for eligible students attending a private school, which has requested to participate in the Title I, Part A program.

RSD Title I, Part A Schools:

• Elementary: Jason Lee, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Marcus Whitman, Sacajawea, Tapteal
• Middle: Carmichael, Chief Joseph
• High/Choice: River's Edge

Title I, Part A is a federal program that provides additional instructional services and activities. These additional supports help students in meeting the challenging state academic standards and closing the educational opportunity gap.

Additional instructional assistance can be:

• Teaching materials which supplement a student’s regular instruction
• Teachers and instructional aides
• One-to-one or small group instruction
• Extra learning supports

First, the federal government provides funding to each state based on census data. Then, each State Educational Agency (SEA) awards money to its Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). LEAs determine schools eligible for Title I, Part A funding by following ESSA Title I Part A rules.

Finally, each LEA determines which of their schools will receive Title I, Part A program services based on the school’s Free and Reduce Lunch percentage. Then the school will:

1. Identify the students who need the additional educational assistance based upon the required criteria. Students do NOT have to be from low-income families to receive Title I, Part A services.
2. Set goals for improving the skills of educationally disadvantaged students at their school.
3. Develop programs for each individual student in order to support/supplement regular classroom instruction.
4. Measure student progress to determine the success of the Title I, Part A program for each student.

1. Whether the teacher has met Washington teacher certification requirements for the grade level and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
2. Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other provisional status through which Washington qualifications or certification criteria have been waived.
3. The college major and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher.
4. Whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications.

Paraprofessionals must work under the supervision of a certified teacher. In schools that operate a school-wide program, all paraprofessionals must meet professional qualifications. In a Targeted Assistance program, any paraprofessional who is the direct supervision of a certificated teacher must meet the professional qualifications.

Paraeducators can provide a copy of their high school diploma - transcripts are not necessary. Schools that operate a Title I, Part A program must have a high school diploma or GED and completed the following:

1. Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
2. Obtained an associate's or higher degree; or
3. Pass the ETS ParaPro Assessment. The assessment measures skills, and content knowledge related to reading, writing and math;
4. Completed previously the apprenticeship requirements and must present a journey card or certificate. The portfolio and apprenticeships are no longer offered for enrollment; however, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will continue to honor this pathway.

Parents must receive a timely notice that their child has been assigned, or has been taught for more than four consecutive weeks by a teacher who has limited state certification/licensure.

Learn more about teacher and instructional paraprofessional requirements online at: Professional Educational Standards Board (PESB) www.pesb.wa.gov or Title II, Part A–Teacher and Principal Quality: www.k12.wa.us/TitleIIA.