 What are Title I schools?
Title I, originally enacted in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty to help the most disadvantaged students, is the largest federal investment in elementary and secondary education. Twenty-three Lee County schools are identified as Title I schools. These schools have the highest concentrations of poverty (based on the number of free/reduced lunch students enrolled at the school). Title I funds are used to improve the teaching and learning in these schools and to help students meet challenging state academic standards..
Which schools in Lee County are Title I?
The Title I schools are: ALC Middle (Alternative Learning Center-Middle), Bonita Springs Elementary, Colonial Elementary, Dunbar High, Edgewood Academy, Ft. Myers Middle Academy, Ft. Myers Preparatory & Fitness Academy, Franklin Park Magnet School, Harns Marsh Elementary, Heights Elementary, J. Colin English Elementary, LAMP (Lee Adolescent Mothers Program), Lee Charter K-8, Lehigh Elementary, Lehigh Acres Middle, Manatee Elementary, Mirror Lakes Elementary, N. Ft. Myers Academy for the Arts, Orange River Elementary, Ray V. Pottorf Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, Tice Elementary, Treeline Elementary, and Tropic Isles Elementary. Please click here to visit the school websites.
What is Adequate Yearly Progress?
AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) is required as a part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and measures schools based on a pass/fail system. In order to achieve AYP, schools must meet proficiency standards in 39 areas. If a school fails to meet one of the 39 areas, it does not make AYP. Not making AYP does not mean a school is failing. It means that the school has not met the requirements of all 39 areas. AYP is separate from Florida's school grading system which measures schools based on degrees of performance.
What is SINI (School In Need of Improvement)?
When a Title I school fails to make AYP for two or more years, it is designated as a "School In Need of Improvement." The school is required to develop a school improvement plan to improve the achievement levels of its students and address the areas that caused the school to not make AYP. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, when a school is identified as SINI, parents have a choice of receiving SES (Supplemental Educational Services) OR transferring to a higher performing school. Please click here to see the AYP information and school grades for Title I schools.
What is SES (Supplemental Educational Services)?
SES is free tutoring offered by state-approved providers. The district pays the provider for tutoring services. These services offer students extra help in academic subjects such as reading, language arts, and math. SES is provided outside the regular school day--before or after school, on weekends, or in the summer. In general, tutoring takes place at the schools and day care facilities; however, there are other options such as in-home tutoring and internet tutoring. Parents choose the provider, but school staff may assist if a parent requests assistance. Once a family has chosen a provider, the provider, school and parent meet to agree on performance goals for the child. Tutoring is only available to students who are eligible for free/reduced price lunch and attend one of these schools: ALC Middle, Bonita Elementary, Colonial Elementary, Edgewood Academy, Ft. Myers Middle, Heights Elementary, Harns Marsh Elementary, J. Colin English Elementary, LAMP, Lehigh Acres Middle, N. Ft. Myers Academy for the Arts, Ray V. Pottorf Elementary and Tice Elementary. Currently, 7,043 students are eligible for SES. In FY09, over 1,300 students received tutoring. Click here for information on SES services and SES providers.
What is CWT (Choice With Transportation)?
CWT is offered to parents when their child's Title I school fails to make AYP for three or more years. In Lee County, parents may request one of two choices of higher performing schools within their attendance zone. Transportation is provided to the new school, if required. The District reviews data on all schools to determine the CWT options for the upcoming school year. The CWT and SES options are made available to parents after FCAT results are released by the state usually in late June or early July. At that time, parents receive a packet of information explaining the CWT and/or SES options available to them and how to apply. There is a limited time to apply for CWT; parents must be notified and the transfers completed before the first day of school. For FY10, over 8,200 students were eligible for CWT. In FY09, over 342 students transferred.
Click here to view the Department of Education's Choice With Transportation Parent Guide.
How can parents be involved?
Parents are very important in their child's education, we invite and encourage parents to become involved in their child's school. There are many ways to be involved such as joining the School Advisory Council, participating in the School Improvement Plan process, reviewing the school's Parent Involvement Policy and Home-School Compact, planning parent involvement activities and workshops, becoming a member of the school's parent/teacher organization, or volunteering at school. Click here for daily tips and ideas on the Just For Parents page.
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