Title I Part A is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The money received from this grant are used to provide supplemental funding to schools and programs that make sure all children receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, improve the entire educational program of the school, and to close educational achievement gaps.

Qualifying for Title I Funding

In FCPS, schools are identified to receive Title I funding based on the percentage of students that are eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

Schools are identified as Title I if they are a(n):

• Elementary school with 57% or more students eligible for free meals through direct certification.
• Middle school with 70% or more students eligible for free meals through direct certification.
• High school with 75% or more students eligible for free meals through direct certification.

FCPS Title I Schools

Currently, there are 50 schools identified as Title I schools in FCPS:

• 44 elementary schools
• Four (4) middle schools
• Two (2) high schools.

All of these schools use a schoolwide Title I model which allows the schools to use the money provided from Title I to enhance the entire educational program of the school.

Additional information on individual schools can be found on the School Profile pages.

How Do Schools Use Title I Funding?

• Additional staff
• Family engagement opportunities
• Pre-Kindergarten
• Professional development of instructional staff
• Field trips and outreach opportunities
• Summer programs
• Technology devices
• Instructional materials and supplies

What are Title I Schools Required To Do?

All Title I schools are required to:

• Conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment that determines the specific needs of the school.
• Develop a schoolwide plan to address their school community’s unique needs.
• Conduct a Title I Annual Parent Meeting to provide parents an opportunity to learn more about Title I and its impact on their school.
• Develop a Family Engagement School Policy and Compact to outline what each partner can expect as they work together to ensure student success. 
• Gather feedback from families regarding the Engagement Policy.
• Notify families of their rights and teacher qualifications.
  Schools are required to notify parents that the student has been assigned, or has been taught for 4 or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who does not meet applicable State certification requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned.

Title I Program Model

Title I programs aim to make sure that all students have access to:

• Meaningful, authentic, and rigorous learning experiences.
• Collaboration, critical and creative thinking, and problem solving.
• Family engagement to enhance student achievement.

Family Engagement

Family involvement is key to student success and families also play an important role in Title I. Families are encouraged to participate in their child’s education by supporting the child’s learning inside and outside of school. Examples of that participation include:

• Family Events
• Family  Liaisons
• Parent Resource Centers
• Family Field Trips
• Family Classes

Family Engagement in Schools

School-level Title I family engagement within FCPS also involves the following:

• Develop with and distribute to all families a school-level parent and family engagement policy and compact.
• Conduct an annual meeting to inform parents and families about Title I and their right to be involved in their children’s education.
• Offer a variety of opportunities for parents and families to be engaged in parent engagement meetings at a variety of times.
• Include parents in the planning and improvement of school programs.
• Help parents understand the academic standards (Virginia Standards of Learning and FCPS Program of Studies) and assessments expected of their children.
• Provide materials and training for families to support student learning and increase family engagement.
• Provide materials for families in other languages, whenever possible.

Family Engagement in FCPS

Title I Division-level Family Engagement Policy

Title I Funding Overview

Title I is a significant federal funding program for education under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It is the primary source of federal funding for schools and operates on an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress. The funding distribution is based on a formula that considers poverty data at the state and local levels.

Title I funding involves several groups:

• Federal Government - Each year, the government gives money to state education agencies. These agencies create plans outlining academic standards, assessments, and school accountability.
• State Educational Agency - It gives funds to school divisions based on poverty data from the U.S. census. Details about divisions and schools are in the Virginia Department of Education School Quality Profiles.
• School Division - It identifies eligible schools following federal rules and supports them with Title I resources and programs.
• Title I Schools -  These schools assess their needs yearly and plan strategies to improve education tailored to their community. They aim for their students to have high-quality learning activities and meaningful family involvement.

Contacts and Additional Resources 

Several local, state, federal, and nonprofit sources can provide additional information and resources related to Title I.