Title I is part of the ESSA. The legislation provides federal funds to help students in schools with high economic needs achieve high standards. One specific objective of the Title I program 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 challenging state academic achievement standards and state academic assessments. Another objective of the Title I program is for schools to achieve well rounded education.

There are two types of Title I program models, schoolwide and targeted assistance, allowed under the ESSA. A schoolwide program focuses on comprehensive reform strategies designed to upgrade the entire educational program in a Title I school; its primary goal is to ensure that all students, particularly those who are low-achieving, demonstrate proficient and advanced levels of achievement on state academic achievement standards.

This schoolwide reform strategy requires that a school--

• Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment;

• Identify and commit to specific goals and strategies that address those needs;

• Create a comprehensive plan; and

• Conduct an annual review of the effectiveness of the schoolwide program and revise the plan as necessary.

Currently, Tallassee Elementary School and Southside Middle School are the only schools in the Tallassee City Schools System operating as a schoolwide Title I School.

WHAT IS A SCHOOLWIDE PROGRAM?

A schoolwide program--

1. Is built on schoolwide reform strategies, rather than separate, add-on services.

A schoolwide program permits a school to use funds from Title I, Part A and other Federal education program funds and resources to upgrade the entire educational program of the school in order to raise academic achievement for all the students. This contrasts with a Title I targeted assistance program, through which Title I, Part A funds are used only for supplementary educational services for eligible children who are failing or at risk of failing to meet State standards.

1. Provides flexibility in spending Title I funds.

Schoolwide programs have great latitude in determining how to spend their Title I, Part A funds. Schoolwide programs do not have to identify particular children as eligible for services, show that Part A funds are paying for supplemental services that would otherwise not be provided, or separately track federal dollars.

1. Permits flexibility to combine other Federal funds in support of the schoolwide program.

Schoolwide programs may now use, in addition to Title I, Part A funds, funds from most other Federal education programs to upgrade the entire educational program. The involvement, during comprehensive planning of a schoolwide program, of all staff, parents, and others in the community that have a stake in the children's education will help to ensure that the program is designed to meet all of the school's students needs.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Tallassee City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy should be directed to the Superintendent, 308 King Street, Tallassee, AL 36078, 334-283-6864. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.