Title I – Reading Assistance Program

Notice of Parental Rights: All parents/guardians/families of children in a Title I program have the right to request and receive from Collegium’s Director of Student Services timely information regarding the professional qualifications of their children’s classroom teachers.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which was signed into law in December 2015 and reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1956 (ESEA) includes parent/family/guardian right to know requests. Title I schools must meet federal regulations related to teacher qualifications as defined in ESEA. These regulations allow parents/guardians/families to learn more about their child’s teachers’ training and credentials. At any time, parents/guardians/families may ask:

• Whether the teacher met state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching.
• Whether the teacher received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived.
• What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration.

Parents/families/guardians may also ask whether their child receives help from a paraprofessional. If a child receives this assistance, Collegium can provide information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications.

In addition, parents/guardians/families can request:

• Information on policies regarding student participation in assessments and procedures for opting out.
• Information on required assessments that include:
  1. subject matter tested,
  2. purpose of the test,
  3. source of the requirement (if applicable),
  4. amount of time it takes students to complete the test, and
  5. time and format of disseminating results.

Each Title program authorized by ESEA is unique in its attempt to meet the needs of all children enrolled in a school district/charter school that qualifies and receives funding. Funding to school districts and charter schools in Pennsylvania is based on poverty information from census data. One of the Title programs is Title I, which serves children needing additional academic support in reading and/or math.

At Collegium Charter School, Title I funds assist students in meeting state achievement standards in the area of reading. Funds pay for additional reading specialists for to provide services to qualifying students in Kindergarten, grades one and two.

If a parent/guardian/family has any questions about the reading instruction that a child receives in the Title I program, it is important to first contact the Title I Reading Specialist providing the reading support. If parents/guardians/families believe that they still need additional information, they should contact the Director of Student Services.

Title I Program Parent Involvement Policy

In compliance with federal law, Collegium Charter School and parents/guardians of students participating in the Title I program shall jointly develop and agree on the written parental involvement policy. This policy was created to foster parent participation in the development and participation of our school’s programs. We recognize the instrumental role our parents and staff play in creating a supportive learning environment.

Questions? If you have questions regarding the Title I – Reading Assistance Program, please contact our Title 1 Lead, Jenni Burton.