Title I is a federally-funded program designed to help students achieve grade-level performance in school. The subjects served by Title I are Reading/Language Arts and Math.
Schools are selected for Title I funding according to the “poverty level” of the school, which is determined by the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunches. The formula used to determine this does not identify individuals on the lunch program; only a total number is obtained from the food service department. This number is then divided by the school’s enrollment figure obtained from the attendance supervisor, which gives the percentage of poverty for that school. The countywide poverty level is determined, and any school above that percentage level is eligible for Title I funding. Eligible schools are ranked in order from highest to lowest, and funds are allocated for each school “in amounts sufficient to make a difference,” according to federal laws governing the use of Title I funds. This funding provides such things as teachers, classroom assistants, equipment, supplies & materials, professional development, and parent involvement materials and activities for Title I schools.
Students are selected for Title I service based on educational need. A student does not have to qualify for the lunch program to receive Title I assistance. In the kindergarten program, new this year, students are chosen after the first nine weeks of school have been completed. The classroom teacher fills out a referral form for each student she feels would benefit from extra help, and the Title I director reviews each one before approval is given. Once the paperwork has been completed and parents are notified, a Title I assistant works in the classroom under direct supervision of the classroom teacher, giving one-on-one help, small group tutoring, and other help as needed.
In the first and second grade programs, students are selected before the school year starts, based on classroom performance and report card grades from the previous year. Assessment forms are
filled out for every student and turned in to the Title I secretary at the central office, where the information is entered into a spreadsheet. Scores are totaled, and an “average score” is figured using the spreadsheet’s math function. Students below the average score are eligible for Title I service, which is provided by in-class assistants or by Title I teachers working with classroom teachers.
All Title I teachers have met the “highly qualified” guidelines set by the state according to the “No Child Left Behind” law. All of our Title I assistants are also highly qualified. (By federal law, all assistants working with Title I students must either have 2 years of college, or have an associate’s degree or higher, or must pass a rigorous test.)
Third and fourth graders are chosen in much the same way as the first and second graders, with the addition of TCAP test scores being used to determine need. The same process is used to find the “average score” and select eligible students. Third graders are served by Title I teachers working together with classroom teachers, and fourth graders are served in the Title I computer lab. (In some cases, third graders may also go to the computer lab.)
Parent input is also an important part of the Title I program. Parents help to plan the program for each school at planning meetings held each spring. The various forms used by Title I are always open for review and parental suggestions for improvement. (Parent/School compacts, parent involvement policies, handbooks, etc.) We have an excellent parent/family involvement coordinator who plans and presents a wide variety of workshops and informational meetings throughout the year. These meetings and workshops are held at various times and locations in order to provide a greater opportunity for parents to attend.
Title I also has several incentives to encourage parents and other caring adults to attend meetings and workshops. There are door prizes at most meetings. Meals or refreshments are always served, depending on the time of day the meeting is held. Your child earns a free book every time you attend a Title I function.
There is also our “Strive for Five” program, in which you have your card initialed each time you attend a Title I function, whether it is a Parent Visitation Day, a workshop, a PAC meeting, or planning meeting. Once you have attended 5, your card is placed in a drawing to be held at the end of the school year, and you can get a new card to start over. The prize is an electronic learning game worth at least $100. Each Title I school selects a prize and holds its own drawing. If nobody has attended 5, the drawing is held among the people who have attended the greatest number of meetings.
If you have any questions about Title I in Cheatham County, you may contact the Title I director, Jo Jones, at (615) 792-5664. You may also contact the Family Involvement Coordinator, Sandra Chester. Sandra is based at East Cheatham Elementary School, so you may call her there at (615) 746-5251. The Title I secretary is Tracy Roberts; she can also be reached at (615) 792-5664. We welcome all questions, concerns, comments, and suggestions.

Public School Choice

East Cheatham Elementary…
was designated by the State of Tennessee as a “high priority” school based on the achievement scores in reading. Under the federal No Child Left Behind the school district was required to offer ECES parents the opportunity to transfer to another school in the system.

Parents were given the choice of transferring to West Cheatham Elementary or Ashland City Elementary with transportation provided by the school district.

If you have questions please contact Jenny Simpkins at the Board of Education.
615-792-5664 jsimpkins@cheatham.k12.tn.us

East Cheatham Elementary School

The State Department of Education has released the list of schools that have not shown sufficient progress on performance standards under the No Child Left Behind guidelines.  East Cheatham Elementary has been names as a “high priority” school based on the achievement scores in reading.  Federal law requires the school district offer East Cheatham parents the opportunity to transfer their children to other public schools in the district.

Parents may choose to transfer their children to West Cheatham Elementary or Ashland City Elementary, with transportation provided by the school district.

Under No Child Left Behind, schools and school districts are measured on whether the students meet performance benchmarks in math, reading and attendance for grades 3-8.  Schools that do not meet the achievement standards for two consecutive years are deemed high priority. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is also calculated each year for the following sub-groups: White, Hispanic, African American, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Economically Disadvantaged, Students with Disabilities, English Language Learners and All.

East Cheatham parents will receive a letter explaining the process if they choose to transfer their child to either West Cheatham elementary or Ashland City Elementary.  The school administration will conduct open meetings for parents who may have questions on Tuesday, August 4th at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 5th at 10:00 a.m. at the school.  Parents are encouraged to attend if they have questions or concerns.  The deadline to request a transfer is Monday, August 10, 2009.

If you have questions regarding Public School Choice please contact Jenny Simpkins, Title 1 Supervisor at the Board of Education. 615-792-5664 or jsimpkins@cheatham.k12.tn.us