Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs
The purpose of Title I is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on the challenging Common Core State Standards and state academic assessments.
In order to achieve this purpose, each Title I school must have a comprehensive school improvement plan (SIP) based on an annual needs assessment. The comprehensive school improvement plan should be developed in collaboration with families and supported by local Board funds along with Title I funding.
Title I Program Types
There are two types of programs:
- Targeted Assistance: Schools that have at least 35% of their student population living in poverty may provide a Title I Targeted Assistance program.
- Schoolwide: Schools that have at least 40% of their student population living in poverty may apply for Title I Schoolwide status.
Learn More About Title I Programs
Title I in Public Schools
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has different types of public schools, each with various methods of implementing Title I.
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Traditional public schools
- Non-instrumentality charter schools
- Partnership schools
Title I in Non-Public Schools
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act, provides benefits to both public and non-public school students, teachers, and other educational personnel, including those in religiously affiliated schools.
The services to non-public eligible participants are considered to be assistance to students and teachers and not the schools. The reauthorized ESEA requires the equitable participation of non-public school students, teachers, and other educational personnel in some of its major programs.
MPS is required to provide services consistent with the number of eligible children enrolled in non-public elementary and secondary schools in the City of Milwaukee. These services and other benefits must be comparable to the services and other benefits provided to public school children and teachers participating in the program, and the services must be provided in a timely manner. Title IA provides supplemental instruction for students most at risk of failing, professional development for their teachers, and activities/workshops to involve their parents/guardians. Title IIA provides professional development in the core content areas.
Learn More About Non-Public School Participation in Title IA
Allocations
The amount of Title I funds allocated to each participating public school attendance area is determined mainly on the basis of the total number of low-income students residing in each area. Once the participating public school attendance areas have been established, a local education agency (LEA) calculates the per-pupil allocation (PPA) for each participating public school attendance area. Then, based on the total number of children from low-income families residing in each attendance area attending either public or private schools, the LEA calculates the total amount of funds for each area. From this amount, the LEA designates an amount of funds (equal to the PPA multiplied by the number of low-income private school students in the area) to provide equitable services to eligible private school participants.
More Information
If you have any questions, please contact Shelley Perkins, State and Federal Programs director, at perkinss@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or (414) 475-8009.