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In addition to the annual Title I, Part A allocation, Guilford County Schools will receive almost $16 million additional Title I, Part A designated funds as part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The US Department of Education states that the use of the Title I, Part A ARRA funds is guided by four principles:
(1) spend funds quickly to save and create jobs;
(2) improve student achievement through school improvement and reform;
(3) ensure transparency, reporting, and accountability; and
(4) invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the “funding cliff”.
Under the current Board of Education (BOE) established thresholds for Title I funding, there are 41 designated Title I Schools for 2008-09. According to Section 1113 of NCLB, an LEA must serve all of its schools with a poverty rate (Free and Reduced Lunch) above 75%. However, an LEA may designate as eligible any school in which at least 35% of the children are from low-income families. Below are the three options discussed at the April 23 BOE meeting:
- Option #1 – Maintain the current thresholds, as established by the BOE on March 8, 2005, at 60% for elementary schools, 67% for middle schools and 75% for high schools. With these thresholds, there will be 46 Title I schools for 2009-10.
- Option #2 – Lower the current threshold from 60% for elementary schools to 50%, from 67% for middle schools to 60%, and maintain high schools at 75%. The number of Title I schools would increase to 50 schools for 2009-10.
- Option #3 – Lower the current threshold from 60% for elementary schools to 40%, from 67% for middle schools to 50%, and maintain high schools at 75%. The number of Title I schools would increase to 65 schools for 2009-10.
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Option #1
Elementary: 60%
Middle: 67%
High: 75% |
Option #2
Elementary: 50%
Middle: 60%
High: 75% |
Option #3
Elementary: 40%
Middle: 50%
High: 75% |
Elementary |
34 |
36 |
47 |
Middle |
6 |
8 |
12 |
High School |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Special High Schools |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Total |
46 |
50 |
65 |
Staff has reviewed performance data, state comparisons, and projected Title I planning allotments. Option #1 permits the focus of funding to remain on our neediest schools, some of which are identified as the state’s lowest performing schools and where Free and Reduced Lunch rates are as high as 98.88%. Additionally, Option #1 will permit district LEA Improvement funding to remain at a level sufficient to provide specific support to non-Title I schools where we have not been successful improving performance of children in specific identified sub-groups. Worthy of note is the concern that, in this ever-changing climate, it is unclear whether sanctions could be imposed for any schools added under Options #2 and #3.
If implemented, Option #3 would result in decreasing funding to current Title I schools by as much as $111,000 (current Title I plus ARRA funding) and spreading funding to schools that are already performing relatively well. (See attachment ABCs Performance Composites: Elementary Schools – GCS vs. NC – 2003 to 2008).
However, Option #1, which provides Title I funding to 46 schools, must occur in conjunction with a redesign of Title I plans. Utilizing a collaborative model, regional superintendents, curriculum officers, executive directors, director of Title I, and the chief academic officer will assist principals in an intense evaluation of current plan strategies and in the major revision of plans to optimize funds and improve achievement. Monitoring teams will conduct quarterly reviews to evaluate plan implementation outcomes.
RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends that the Board approve Option #1, which maintains the current thresholds, as established by the Board on March 8, 2005, at 60% for elementary schools, 67% for middle schools and 75% for high schools. With these thresholds, there will be 46 Title I schools for 2009-10.
Attachment - ABCs Performance Composites: Elementary Schools – GCS vs. NC – 2003 to 2008
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