Title Programs Under NCLB

 

 

Ten title programs are listed in the NCLB Act (U.S. Department of Education, 2002). These include:

 

 

 

Each of these Title programs includes important parts and subparts; these programs will be briefly described (as noted by the U.S. Department of Education, 2002).

 

 

 

Title I: Improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged.

Title I includes 13 programs designed to improve how children in poverty perform in school. For purposes of this course, each program under Title I will be discussed given their reference to improving the academic achievement of students. First, Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies (I-A) is intended to ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high quality education and reach proficiency on state assessments. Title I, Part A is the largest federal program supporting elementary and secondary education. It targets resources to districts and schools where needs are the greatest. Many changes have taken place in this program, including school-wide Title I program eligibility being lowered from 50% to 40% of students who qualify for free and reduced price lunch (low socioeconomic status) and funds being used only for scientifically-based reading methods and strategies. Accountability is a key point of this program.

 

Second, Reading First, Title I, Part B, Subpart I is included and described in more detail in Chapter 11.

 

Third, Early Reading First, Title I, Part B, Subpart 2 is intended to prepare young children to enter kindergarten with the language, cognitive, and early reading skills necessary for reading success. The goal of the program is to prevent reading failure by providing high quality experiences, particularly to those children in poverty. Again, a focus is placed on the requirement of scientifically-based research to teach children cognitive and language skills. A key emphasis is on accountability as well.

 

Fourth, the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program, Title I, Part B, Subpart 3 provides low-income families with integrated literacy services for parents and their young children (from birth to age 7). Four components including adult education, early childhood education, parenting education, and interactive literacy activities will build on each other and be used to help families. Again, a focus is placed on the use of scientifically-based reading research in this program as well as on  strengthened accountability.

 

Fifth, Improving Literacy Through School Libraries, Title I, Part B, Subpart 4 is designed to improve the literacy skills and academic achievement of students by giving them up-to-date school libraries, technologically advanced school media centers, and professionally certified school library media specialists. It is no surprise that this program includes a focus on the use of programs and materials that are grounded in scientifically-based research and greater accountability for student performance.

 

Sixth, Education of Migratory Children, Title I, Part C is designed to support high-quality and comprehensive educational programs for migrant children to help reduce the difficulties they face from repeated moves. One key aspect of this program is to establish a national information system to electronically transfer health and educational information for all children served by the Migrant Education Program (MEP). Further, state assessment systems must disaggregate performance data for migrant students to ensure that they are making achievement progress in school.

 

Seventh, Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk, Title I, Part D provides financial assistance to educational programs for youths in state-operated institutions or community day programs. Financial assistance is also provided to support school district collaboration with locally operated correctional facilities.

 

Eighth, the National Assessment of Title I, Title I Evaluation and Demonstrations, Title I, Part E, Sections 1501-1503 evaluates the implementation and impact of Title I programs and provisions. An Independent Review Panel will supervise this national assessment and conduct a longitudinal evaluation of student achievement. Other evaluations as well will be conducted on Title I programs.

 

Ninth, Close up Fellowship, Title I, Part E, Section 1504 pays for economically disadvantaged middle and secondary school teachers and students whose families have moved to the U.S. within the last 5 years to spend 1 week in Washington, D.C. attending seminars on government and current events and meeting with leaders from the three branches of government. Professional development of teachers of civic education is also provided.

 

Tenth, Comprehensive School Reform, Title I, Part F describes certain components of school reform that appear to lead to improved student achievement. These 11 components include: (a) research-based methods, (b) comprehensive design, (c) focus on student achievement, (d) buy-in, (e) professional development, (f) support for school staff, (g) partnerships with parents and communities, (h) external support, (i) evaluation planning, (j) combining resources, and (k) evidence of effectiveness.

 

Eleventh, Advanced Placement, Title I, Part G is designed to increase the number of children in poverty who participate in AP (advanced placement) classes and take AP tests by helping to pay test fees and expand access to AP classes (increased teacher training and other activities).

 

Twelfth, School Dropout Prevention, Title I, Part H assists schools with dropout rates above their state average to implement effective dropout prevention and reentry programs. This program is primarily a grant program to state and local education agencies. Schools must implement research-based instructional practices and other activities to decrease dropout rates. Finally, General Provisions, Title I, Part I are concerned with regulatory and administrative requirements including state and local flexibility and the development of regulations on the NCLB Act.

 

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Title II: Preparing, training, & recruiting high quality teachers & principals.

Title II includes 13 programs focused on providing professional development for teachers and administrators. For purposes of this course, two programs will be discussed. First, Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund, Grants to States, Title II, Part A provides funds to increase student achievement by improving teacher and principal quality through recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies. An emphasis is placed on scientifically-based professional development activities and accountability measures. According to the U.S. Department of Education (2002), “for example, if a state decides to fund interventions such as professional development in math, the state must be able to show how the particular activities are grounded in a review of activities that have been correlated with increases in student achievement” (pp. 38-39).

 

Second, Early Childhood Educator Professional Development, Title II, Part A, Subpart 5, Section 2151 (E) is a program designed to enhance the school readiness of young children, particularly those in poverty, to prepare them for school. This program funds partnerships to improve the skills of early childhood educators; programs must describe how professional development activities are based on scientific research.

 

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Title III: Language instruction for limited English proficient and immigrant students.

This is the sole program. It assists school districts in teaching English to those students with limited English proficiency to help them achieve state standards required by all students. Again, language instruction curricula must be tied to scientifically-based research and demonstrated to be effective.

 

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Title IV: 21st Century schools.

Title IV includes four programs. These programs focus on safe and drug free schools. For purposes of this course, one program will be described. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Title IV, Part B program provides services during non-school hours for students to access academic enrichment activities such as tutorial assistance. Students who attend low performing schools are targeted. There is a focus on what works and on accountability.

 

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Title V: Promoting informed parental choice & innovative programs.

Title V includes 19 programs designed to increase parental choice in terms of how they school their child and in the development of promising educational reform programs. For purposes of this course, two programs will be described. First, the Public Charter Schools, Title V, Part B, Subpart I program is designed to provide financial assistance to plan, design, and implement charter schools and evaluate their performance. Charter schools are alternative programs that provide educational opportunities to students that are not available within the traditional public school system.

 

Second, Reading is Fundamental-Inexpensive Book Distribution, Title V, Part D, Subpart 5 provides assistance to local nonprofit organizations for reading motivation programs. This assistance includes the distribution of inexpensive books that promote reading. Seventy-five percent of the share of the cost of books is provided by this program.

 

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Title VI: Flexibility & accountability.

Title VI includes seven programs that focus on assessment and accountability. For purposes of this course, one program will be described. Improving Academic Achievement, Accountability, Grants for State Assessments and Enhanced Assessments, Title VI, Part A, Subpart I helps states develop assessments required under NCLB and supports collaboration with institutions of higher learning to improve the quality of these assessments.

 

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Title VII: Indian, native Hawaiian, & Alaska native education.

Title VII includes three programs that focus on the education of culturally diverse groups. One program will be described in this course. Alaska Native Education, Title VII, Part C is a program designed to meet the unique educational needs of Alaska Native students. Competitive grants and contracts are awarded to applicants focusing on this population of students.

 

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Title VIII: Impact aid program.

This is the sole program; it provides financial assistance to school districts to help replace the lost revenue that would otherwise be available for educating children who live on federal property or whose parents work on federal property. Formula and competitive grants are provided directly to eligible schools.

 

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Title IX: General provisions.

Two programs are included in Title IX including General Provisions, Title IX and Unsafe School Choice Option, Title IX, Part E, Subpart 2, Section 9532. The latter program requires each state to establish and implement a statewide policy requiring that students who attend dangerous schools or become victims of violent crimes attend a safe school within the same district.

 

 

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Title X: Repeals, re-designations, & amendments to other statutes.

One program--McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements (X, Part C)--is listed. This program is intended to ensure that homelessness does not cause children to be left behind in school.

 

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