Whittier Elementary School
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All About Title I
Welcome Back to the 2020-2021 School Year!
Welcome back to the 2020-2021 school year! We are so happy to be reconnecting with all of you. Although this will be a year like no other, we are confident that together we can make a difference in the education of our students. We are committed to supporting one another and providing whatever help is needed.
This newsletter will focus on Title I information. Whittier is a Title I school and participates in this federal program. As family members, you are entitled to receive this information. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our principal, Dr. Fernanda Brendefur, or our assistant principal, Carly Deeds, at any time.
Here's to our adventures this year!
What is a Title I School?
Federal law requires that each school district receiving Title I funds notify parents of each student attending any school receiving these funds that information regarding the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teacher(s) may be requested. As a parent of a student attending a school receiving federal program funds, you have the right to know:
Is my child’s teacher licensed to teach the grades and subject(s) assigned?
Is my child’s teacher teaching with a provisional license, meaning the state has waived requirements for my child’s teacher?
What is the college major of my child's teacher?
What degree or degrees does my child's teacher hold?
If there are instructional aides working with my child, what are their qualifications?
If my child is or will be taught for 4 or more consecutive weeks this year by a teacher who is not highly qualified, will I be notified in a timely manner?
What is Title I?
Title I is the largest federal aid program for our nation's schools.
What does Title I money do for a school?
Title I money is typically used to provide extra staff, materials or professional development for these schools. The program specifically supports reading and math.
How might Title I help my child?
A child attending a Title I school in the Boise School District may receive assistance in reading or math from a Title I paraprofessional. Paraprofessionals work in class with guidance by highly qualified teachers. They might work with small groups of students or one on one with a child. Children also benefit from training teachers receive or curriculum materials that are paid for with Title I funds.
How is a school eligible to receive Title I money?
The federal government measures a school's low income level by the number of students receiving free or reduced lunch. If the school meets the target percentage Title I status is granted.
How is a child eligible for Title I services?
All children attending a Title I school operating as a school wide program are eligible to receive services from Title I.
FERPA Information
Title I Notification of Highly Qualified Staff
As a Title 1 school we are required by federal law to provide you with specific information in regards to our highly qualified staff at Whittier Please read below and if you have any additional questions about this information please contact us.
TITLE ONE PARENT NOTIFICATION OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF
(Federal Law Requirement)
As a parent of a student attending a school receiving federal program funds, you have the right to
know:
Is my child’s teacher licensed to teach the grades and subject(s) assigned?Is my child’s teacher teaching with provisional license, meaning the state has waived requirements for my child’s teacher?
Yes, all teachers at Whittier are licensed to teach the grades and subjects assigned.
What is the college major of my child’s teacher?
There are no teachers at Whittier currently teaching with a provisional license.
What degree or degrees does my child’s teacher hold?
All teachers at Whittier have a college degree. Please check with your child’s teachers if you are interested in the degrees they hold.
If there are instructional aids working with my child, what are their qualifications?
Whittier has Title One instructional aides this year. All have at least a high school diploma, 48 hours of college credits, an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree, or successful completion of the ETS Paraprofessional Praxis test.
If my child is or will be taught for 4 or more consecutive weeks this year by a teacher who is not highly qualified, will I be notified in a timely manner?
Yes, The Boise School District requires that every parent be notified in a timely manner if their child(ren) is/are taught by a teacher who is not highly qualified.
To request the state qualifications for your child’s teacher or instructional aide, please contact
Dr. Fernanda Brendefur (fernanda.brendefur@boiseschools.org).