Title I
What is Title I?
Title I is the largest federally funded education program in the United States. It is designed to ensure that all children—regardless of family income—have a fair and equal opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach proficiency on challenging state academic standards.
In North Carolina, Title I funding is distributed to school districts based on the percentage of students from low-income families, as determined by federal guidelines. Funding for schools is allocated based on a per pupil expenditure rate.
How Title I Supports Our Students
Our district uses Title I funds to:
- Provide additional teachers, interventionists, and instructional assistants to reduce class size and support targeted instruction.
- Offer evidence-based reading and math interventions to address learning gaps.
- Purchase instructional materials, technology, and resources aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
- Provide professional development for teachers to strengthen instructional practices.
- Support family engagement activities that help parents and guardians support learning at home.
Schoolwide vs. Targeted Assistance
- Schoolwide Program: Available in schools where at least 40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Title I funds are used to upgrade the entire educational program for all students.
- Targeted Assistance Program: Provides services to students identified as most at risk of failing to meet state academic standards.
Our district primarily uses the Schoolwide Program model in Title I schools. All six (6) of the schools in Bertie County receive Title I funding.
Parent and Family Engagement
Family involvement is essential to student success. Title I requires each school and the district to develop a Parent and Family Engagement Policy in collaboration with parents.
We:
- Host annual Title I meetings to explain program requirements and parents’ rights.
- Share School–Parent Compacts outlining how families, schools, and students will share responsibility for academic success.
- Offer workshops, literacy nights, and resources for learning at home.
Your Rights as a Parent
Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), parents of children in Title I schools have the right to:
- Be informed about their child’s academic progress.
- Request information about the professional qualifications of their child’s teacher(s).
- Participate in the development of the school’s and district’s Title I plans.
Annual Notifications
Each year, we:
- Hold a public meeting to share Title I information and gather feedback.
- Review and revise our Parent and Family Engagement Policy and School–Parent Compact.
- Share school performance data and plans for improvement.
Contact Information
For more information about Title I in our district, please contact:
Dr. Steven E. Howard
Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction
252.794.6058
Email: showard@bertie.k12.nc.us
Additional Resources
Related Links
- Testing Program Overview
- District Family Engagement Policy
- District Transition Plan
- Parents Right to Request Information - ESSA (Spanish)
- Request for Interpreter
- Principal's Attestation
- 25/26 District Testing Plan
- Read to Achieve Testing Information
Homework Help for Parents & Families
- KidsHealth
- Scholastic Parents: 10 Tips for Homework Success
- U.S. Department of Education: Homework Tips for Parents
- Family Education
- How to Help Your Child with Tricky Math Homework
- National PTA: Student Guide to Success for Families
Social & Emotional Resources for Parents