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Access to Supplemental Services under Title I, Part A |
Q. What is Title I, Part A? |
| A. Title I, Part A of the No Child Left Behind Act provides financial assistance to school districts and schools with high numbers or high percentages of poor children to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. It provides schoolwide programs designed to raise the achievement of all children in schools in high-poverty areas, as well as targeted assistance designed to support specific groups of low-income children within a school district. Services include tutoring, special reading and math programs, and other supplemental services. |
Q. Are children and youth in homeless situations eligible for Title I, Part A services? What if they are succeeding in school? |
| A. Yes. All children and youth in homeless situations are automatically eligible for Title IA services, whether or not they live in a Title I school attendance area or meet the academic standards required of other children for eligibility. 2003 Guidance, p. 24; 20 U.S.C. §6315(b)(2)(E). The poverty, unstable and often unhealthy living situations, and emotional trauma of homelessness place even outstanding students at risk of academic regression and failure. |
Q. If a student experiencing homelessness attends a school that does not receive Title I, Part A funds, how does the student receive services? |
| A. Every school district that receives Title IA funds is required to set aside a portion of its allotment to provide comparable services to homeless students attending schools that do not receive Title IA services. 2003 Guidance, p. 24; 20 U.S.C. §6313(c)(3). For example, Title IA funds frequently serve elementary school students. The mandatory set-aside ensures that middle and high school students experiencing homelessness in those districts receive Title IA services. |
Q. Is there a formula for calculating Title I, Part A set-asides? |
| A. No, there is no mandated formula for Title IA set-asides. However, the set-aside must be sufficient to provide "comparable services" to students attending non-participating schools. 2003 Guidance, p. 24; 20 U.S.C. §6313(c)(3). Therefore, the set-aside must be based on the number and needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness in the school district. Some states have established statewide guidelines for determining set-aside amounts and have found it beneficial. Some possible methods to calculate the set-aside include: (1) identify and assess the needs of students in homeless situations in the district, and set aside funds accordingly; (2) multiply the number of identified students experiencing homelessness by the Title IA per-pupil allocation; (3) for districts with a McKinney-Vento subgrant, reserve an amount greater than or equal to the district's McKinney-Vento funding request; (4) reserve a specific percentage based on the district's poverty level or total Title IA allocation. (Calculation methods taken from: "Four Methods for Determining New Mandatory Title I, Part A Set-Aside for Homeless Children." NCLB Financial Compliance Insider (Nov. 2003).) |
Q. What kind of services can Title I, Part A funds (including set-asides and other funds) pay for? |
| A. Title IA funds, including those under the set-aside and other funds, can be used to serve students experiencing homelessness in both Title IA and non-Title IA schools. The services should support the students to succeed in school and to meet academic achievement standards. The funds can be used to provide services that are not ordinarily provided to other Title IA students. Examples of services school districts have provided with Title IA funds to students experiencing homelessness include: supporting the position of the liaison, mentoring, tutoring, enrichment activities, case management, school supplies, testing fees, clothing, activity fees, graduation fees, and other services to enable students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school. 2003 Guidance, p. 24-5. |
Q. Can Title I, Part A set-asides be used to fund liaisons and other school district level activities? |
| A. Yes. School districts can use Title IA set-asides to serve children and youth experiencing homelessness in both Title I and non-Title I schools. 2003 Guidance, p.24-5. For example, Title IA set-asides may be used to support part of the liaison position, to allow the liaison to dedicate more time to McKinney-Vento Act activities or to hire additional staff for the McKinney-Vento program. The set-aside can also fund district-wide activities conducted by the liaison (such as identification and professional development), extended day and summer activities, school supplies, and other services. 2003 Guidance, p. 24-5. |
Q. What can Title I, Part A funds not be used for? |
| A. The Title I statute states that Title I funds cannot supplant other state or local funds. 20 U.S.C. §6320A(b)(1). In other words, Title I funds cannot be used for services that are part of the core services provided by public schools, and services that schools are required to provide even in the absence of Title I funding. |
Q. How must a school district plan for serving children experiencing homelessness under Title I, Part A? |
| A. For a school district to receive Title IA funds, its Title IA plan must describe the services the district will provide to children and youth experiencing homelessness, including but not limited to those services provided with the set-aside. 20 U.S.C. §6312(b)(1)(O); 2003 Guidance, p. 24. School district Title IA plans must also be coordinated with the McKinney-Vento Act. 20 U.S.C. §6312(a)(1); 20 U.S.C. §6312(b)(1)(E)(ii). Finally, State Title I, Part A plans must also be coordinated with the McKinney-Vento Act. 20 U.S.C. §6311(a)(1). |
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