BRSD Title I & Basic Skills Instruction Parent Presentation Grades 1-8

1. BRSD Title I & Basic Skills Instruction Parent PresentationGrades 1-8 Presented by Rob Walder, Principal BRMS Michele Henry, Asst. Principal for Curriculum & Instruction Thursday, October 24, 2013 Bordentown Regional Middle School

2. Origin of Title I • Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 • “The purpose of this title is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.” • Continued through the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 • NCLB is currently up for renewal in Congress

3. What is it exactly? • Federal funding that is specifically directed to students who are below proficient • It is separate from funds directed to Special Needs students • The amount allocated to each school district is determined by the number of families who qualify for Free or Reduced Meals • The rationale is that socio-economic status can be an indicator of academic achievement

4. Title I & Basic Skills Instruction • We know this is not necessarily true but this is the formula the federal government uses to determine Title I funding. Therefore, these students are the first ones eligible for extra help. • The use of these Federal Title I funds are to “supplement” the services already in place • School districts that receive these funds must have policies and meet all requirements • These policies include parent communication and involvement

5. BRSD Policy BORDENTOWN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY MANUAL REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION POLICY #6171.1 • Pupils who perform below acceptable levels on statewide assessments of the Core Curriculum Content Standards shall participate in remedial programs • Proficiency shall also be evaluated through multi-skills assessment, standardized tests, diagnostic instruments, teacher observation and pupil progress reports

6. Other Policy Points • Continuous communication between teaching staff members and parents/guardians of pupils participating in remedial educational programs • All parents/guardians shall be notified in writing of a pupil's need for a remedial/skill maintenance program and shall be encouraged to participate in its design • The chief school administrator shall evaluate the remedial education programs each school year and report to the board of education as to their effectiveness in achieving and maintaining acceptable levels of pupil proficiency

7. Purpose for tonight At least once annually, a public meeting shall be held for the express purpose of informing parents/guardians of the programs and activities provided with Title 1 funds. • Informing parents/guardians of their right to consult in the design and implementation of the Title 1 project; • Providing parents/guardians with information about the Title 1 law, regulations and instructional programs; • Soliciting parents/guardians' input about basic skills improvement programs and related activities; • Providing parents/guardians an opportunity to establish mechanisms for maintaining ongoing communication among parents/guardians, staff, and the board

8. BRSD Procedures – who qualifies? Evaluating students for inclusion in the BSI program is different based on grade levels: Grades 1-3 • Teacher Observation • Reading/Math levels • Classroom assessments/achievements

9. BRSD Procedures – who qualifies? Grades 4 & 5 • Teacher Observation • Reading/Math levels • Classroom assessments/achievements • NJ ASK Scores

10. BRSD Procedures – who qualifies? Grades 6-8 • Teacher Observation • Reading/Math levels • Classroom assessments / achievements • Report Card Grades • NJ ASK Scores

11. What services do we offer? Grades 1-3 • Push in – additional teacher supports classroom teacher • Pull out – targeted, small group instruction • Supplemental resources • Staff Professional Development • After-school and Summer Programs

12. What services do we offer? Grades 4 & 5 - MIS • Push in – additional teacher supports classroom teacher • Study Island subscription – skill reinforcement • Supplemental resources • Staff Professional Development • After-school and Summer Programs

13. What services do we offer? Grades 4 & 5 – MIS continued Literacy- • 30 minutes a day 5 days a week (all literacy classes) • Readers and Writer’s Workshop students are working on instructional levels • Target a larger population of students • Co-teaching skills and strategies Math • 60-90 minutes a week of support (all math classes)

14. What services do we offer? Grades 6-8 • Additional teaching staff – to reduce class size • Extra teacher in the classroom – where possible • Study Island subscription – skill reinforcement • Instructional aides in classrooms for support • Extra funding budgeted from building budget • Student materials/supplies – books on tape, math manipulatives, quiet muffs, etc. • After-school & Summer Programs • Math & LA Help Labs

15. Other important items • A classroom teacher is always the first level of remediation for a BSI student. • ISIP – Individual Student Improvement Plan • States reason(s) for inclusion in BSI program • Identified areas/skills in need of improvement • Suggested forms of support • Measurement methods and time periods • Parent Compact • Created and sent by each building principal • Agreement between teachers, administration, parents and students • States methods each school will use to support students

16. Other important items, cont. • BSI placements are fluid - students move in and out as they master targeted skills. A student may only be in for a short time until they master a skill or improve. • Some students qualify as being monitored only. This means they do not necessarily receive direct instruction, but the teacher(s) know to keep an eye on his/her progress and needs.

17. Support at Home • Make sure to read to/with your child – tonight! • Encourage on-line educational time – Study Island • Keep in touch with teachers and monitor grades • Make learning a priority • Create a quiet homework/reading area • Establish school work/homework routines • Review student homework regularly • Check out the School and Teacher websites

18. BSI Staff Bordentown Regional Middle School • Mary Lynn Morino – LA • Margaret Blask – LA • Susan Gerike – LA • Amy Fisicaro – Math • Cristy Ortu - Math MacFarland Intermediate School • Lisa Van Bruggen • Barbara Mintzer • CindyNemceff Clara Barton Elementary School • Alexandra Guido • Lisa Swanson Peter Muschal Elementary School • Dawn Rossell • Sally Craig • Rhonda Lichter

19. Parent/Guardian Feedback What else can we do or what can we change/revise to do a better job? • More teachers, supplies, time in school? • Include more/less students? • Weekend programs? • Pull from “Specials” for extra help? • Other suggestions…

20. Next Steps • Set up a Parent /Teacher conference – especially with your child’s BSI teacher. • Talk to your child about successes and challenges • Get to know the Common Core and the PARCC – pick up the handouts before you leave • Stay involved in district and school initiatives and attend relevant meetings • Ask questions!

21. Useful internet links • BRSD Policy link http://www.bordentown.k12.nj.us/files/filesystem/policy6000-3.pdf • USDOE - http://www2.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/legislation.html • NJDOE – http://www.state.nj.us/education/title1/program/ • International Reading Association Parent Resources: http://www.reading.org/informationfor/Parents.aspx • National PTO link - http://pta.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2909 • Visit each school’s webpage – left hand column – Title I Info. • Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) http://www.parcconline.org/ • Common Core State Standards - http://www.corestandards.org/