Title I Programs

Title I

The governing legislation for Title I is the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. In this act, the purpose of Title I 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” (NCLB, 2001). In accordance with provisions outlined in the act, the Dallas Independent School District also provides Title I services to eligible students enrolled in private schools and institutions for neglected or delinquent children.

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Title I School Improvement Program

The Dallas Independent School District's school improvement initiative is a districtwide effort to increase student achievement at all campuses, especially those with a record of chronic underperformance. The district classified each campus into a five-tier system, with Tier 1 schools considered high priorities for improvement. Tier 5 campuses had the best records of performance. Tier 1 included 20 campuses that were in federally mandated Stage 1 or Stage 2 improvement under Title I of the No Child Left Behind law (NCLB). Schools enter federal improvement stages when they miss Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) targets for two consecutive years. These targets included performance criteria in reading and mathematics, as measured by the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).

AYP standards for 2005-2006 included student passing rates of 53% in reading and 42% in mathematics for all students tested in grades 3-8 and 10, as well as the following student groups: white, Hispanic, African-American, economically disadvantaged, limited English proficient (LEP), and special education. Other indicators, including testing participation, attendance (elementary and middle schools), and graduation (high schools), also help determine AYP.

Campuses that do not meet AYP for the same indicator for two or more consecutive years are subject to NCLB's Title I school improvement requirements, such as offering school choice and supplemental education services. Title I requires districts and campuses to implement these improvement provisions in progressive stages, based on the number of years a campus does not meet AYP for the same indicator. Improvement campuses must draft a revised campus improvement plan that includes measurable goals. They also must receive technical assistance and institute a program of professional development. They also must offer students the opportunity to transfer to a higher performing campus in the district.

The district's Tier 1 schools included 11 Stage 2 campuses (schools that missed AYP for three consecutive years) and 9 Stage 1 campuses. All of the improvement stage schools were secondary campuses. Other Tier 1 campuses included schools that missed AYP in 2004-2005. The district classified such schools as Year 1. Year 1 schools that miss AYP in 2005-2006 would enter Stage 1 in 2006-2007.

The district split Tier 1 into two groups: Tier 1A and Tier 1B. Four school improvement team leaders, appointed by and accountable directly to the general superintendent, worked with Tier 1A campuses. Area offices worked with their respective Tier 1B schools.

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