•  TITLE I PROGRAM INFORMATION:

    PARENT HANDBOOK                           

     Link to Montana Title Program Information-OPI                            

    Sidney Public School districts are designated as Targeted Assistance Title I districts due to our student poverty rate falling below the 40%.

    Title I, Part A is intended to help ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach proficiency in the Montana K-12 Content Standards, and proficiency on state assessments.

    The program focuses on promoting reform in high-poverty schools and ensures students access to scientifically based instructional practices and academic content to meet the state’s challenging academic standards.

     
    WHAT IS A TARGETED ASSISTANCE PROGRAM?
     
    • A school that is not eligible to operate a schoolwide program, is eligible but chooses not to run a schoolwide program, or has not received a waiver to run a schoolwide program
     
    • 40% threshold for student poverty
     
    • Instead of serving all students, only identified students may receive services-those having the greatest need for special assistance
     
     
    TARGETED ASSISTANCE SCHOOLS
     
    • Children identified as failing or most at risk of failing to meet State academic standards;
     
    • Based on multiple, educationally related, objective criteria established by the LEA
     
    • Assistance given mainly in reading and/or math, but can be in all subject areas
     
    What may Title IA funds be used to provide?
     
    Title I funds may be used for a variety of services and activities, most commonly for instruction in reading and mathematics.
    The legislation encourages the use of strategies such as extended day (before- and after-school programs), extended school year,
    and summer school programs to increase learning time. Districts and schools may use Title I funds to serve students from preschool age through high school.
     
    • Services to children with the greatest need for assistance
     
    • Services in addition to regular school program
     
    • Supplies or materials to supplement regular classroom instruction
     
    TARGETED ASSISTANCE IDENTIFICATION
     
    What criteria are used to select children from grades 3-12?
    • SBAC (Smarter Balanced Testing-Federal/State required testing)
    • Other District/school assessments (FastBridge/STAR Reading/STAR Math
    • Classroom performance
    • Parental interviews
    • Teacher judgment
    • Must be based on academic/educationally related criteria
    • More than one measure must be used
     

    Criteria: cont.

    Students who are entitled to free or reduced meal programs 

    Students who score below the 30th Percentile, nationally, on FastBridge district testing

    Students who score below grade level on STAR Reading and STAR Math 

    Students who score below the benchmark on Smarter Balanced Assessment 

    Students who score below the benchmark on Classroom Assessments 

    Students who are a year or more behind grade level peers in Reading and/or Math 

    Recommendation of parent/teacher/and/or intervention team along with supporting evidence

     
    Extended Day/Year
     
    • Summer school
    • Before-and after-school programs
    • Preschool program
    • Extended Kindergarten
    • Extended Learning 
     
    Curriculum:
    SPS uses one-to-one or small group settings with aides to supplement the curriculum used in the classroom setting.  Intervention may be through a push-in or pull-out setting.
    Currently, SPS uses, Read Naturally, Big Ideas Math, Engage NY, Freckle, Ed Ready, Elephant Math, and Language for Learning in the Title Program.