Annual Title I Meeting

1. Annual Title I Meeting A guide for schools to utilize to ensure a successful Title I Meeting

2. Every year each school that is served under Title I, Part A must convene an annual meeting at a time convenient for parents, to inform them of their school’s participation in the Title I, Part A program, the program requirements, and their rights as parents to be involved. • Schools must invite the parents/guardians of all of the children who are participating in the Title I, Part A program and impress upon them to attend. • A flexible number of meetings at varying times should be offered so as many parents as possible will be able to attend. Title I MeetingSection 1116(c)(1) and (2), ESEA

3. The Annual Title I Meeting is held to disseminate information to parents of participating children about the Title I, Part A program and about their rights to be involved in their child’s education. • For parents whose children attend a schoolwide program, all parents must be invited to participate. • For parents of children whose school is implementing a targeted assistance program, only those who have children participating will receive invitations. Why have an Annual Title I Meeting?

4. A description and explanation of the curriculum the school will be using. • Various forms of academic assessments that will be used to measure student progress • Proficiency levels the students are expected to meet • The district Parent Involvement Policy, the School Parent & Family Engagement Policy, as well as the School-Parent Compact • The right of parents to be involved and the various ways to do so • The right of parents to request regular meetings to generate suggestions and participate in the decision-making process, as appropriate, about their child’s education knowing that the school must respond to any suggestion as soon as practicably possible. Section 1116(c)(4), ESEA. What information should be shared? Annual Title I Meeting

5. Can the Title I Annual Meeting be held with Can the Annual Title I Meeting be held with another meeting? The Annual Title I Meeting must be held only for the purpose of informing parents and must be advertised as such. Parents should be clear about the Title I Program and about their rights upon leaving. This meeting can not be combined with any other meeting or function. This includes Open House, PTA/PTO, nor can the Title I meeting be included on an agenda as just an item.

6. There is not a specified timeline for which to hold the Annual Title I meeting. • The meeting should be held during the earlier portion of the year to ensure parents have what they need early on to assist their children. • The recommendation is that the annual meeting be held no later than the last week of October. • Section 1116(c)(4)(A), ESEA When should a school hold the Annual Title I Meeting?

7. Whomever conducts the meeting should be very familiar with Title I, Part A and how the funding stream works. Some examples of meeting conductors are: • Principals • Assistant Principals • Title I Teachers • Title I Facilitators • Federal Programs Coordinators • Parent Involvement Coordinators/ Facilitators (with one of the above) Who should the meeting conductors be?

8. Since schools are required to do what is reasonable in order to provide information to parents in a format and language that is understandable, translators and also assistive devices may be necessary. • This also includes accommodations for those with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or parents of migratory children. Should translators be present?

9. Title I funds can be used to provide child care services during the annual meeting. • Funds may be used for paying a Title I paraprofessional to provide that child care. • Funds may also be used to cover costs that are reasonable and necessary as it relates to the implementation of Parent and Family Engagement Activities (Section 1116) which includes transportation to and from meetings. Can child care and transportation be paid?

10. Yes, they can if the conditions that follow are met: • The LEA has to have a policy which allows it • The expenses must be reasonable and necessary • The meeting is held at a time when parents would normally eat [OBM Circular A-87 (2 & 27) and USDE Non-Regulatory Guidance, Use of Funds (April 1996). • LEAs must use caution when determining how much to spend for food. Food purchase should not be the majority of the allocated funds. • LEAs should also be careful when allowing staff to eat at this meeting because it is held for parents. • LEAs are encouraged to coordinate with community resources where available. Can a meal or snack be provided?

11. LEA and school must be able to demonstrate that all parents of children who are participating were invited and encouraged to attend and that all requirements were covered at the meeting. • It is the responsibility of the LEA to make sure that all schools within the district convene an annual meeting. • The LEA must keep accurate documentation of the meeting for each school participating in the Title I Program. Acceptable documentation can include any combination of the following: • Minutes • Agendas • Flyers • Sign-in sheets • Handouts • Announcements; and • Photographs What ways can meeting compliance be documented?

12. J. Chante’le’ Williams Chantele.Williams@arkansas.gov 501-682-1699 For questions about the Annual Title I Meeting: