Key Things Principals Can Do to Maximize Title Funding

  1. Identify what you have. Use this school year to review your current Title I program:
    • Determine which services are offered by your district/s.
    • Which students are receiving those services?
    • Are services being administered efficiently?
    • Is the LEA following all provisions of the consultation process?
    • Discuss any potential improvements among your school community and with the LEA.
  1. Identify what you need. Title I provides direct instructional services. Now under ESSA, Title I services can also include counseling, mentoring, and one-on-one tutoring. Things to consider:
    • Determine if your students would benefit from these new options.
    • Talk with the LEA about how services will be implemented in 2017-18.
    • If you use a vendor for services, determine if they are able to offer these new options. If not, identify a new vendor.
  1. Follow the money. The formula for Title I has changed, which will help private schools. Some things to consider:
    • Ask your school district business manager how the district plans to apportion its Title funds. Are they following the new formula?
  1. Know that consultation has to be “timely and meaningful.” School districts are required to collect written affirmation from private school officials that this has occurred. The affirmation should have a section that allows you to claim that consultation has not occurred. If need be, use this provision to document that you have not been properly consulted.
  1. Know that services need to be equitable. School districts must provide eligible private school students with services on an equitable basis as requested by private school officials to best meet the needs of the children, and not just as the public school district thinks is best, which has often been the case in the past. Some things to consider:
    • Are your students receiving services comparable to what the public school district provides similarly needy students? If not, ask the school district why not, and how they can justify the lack of equity.
  1. Make sure the private school money is spent. ESSA requires federal funding to be spent in a timely manner. School districts are required to allocate monies to private school students for the fiscal year in which funds are received by the district, and not later, which has been the case in many districts. Nag your district so money for your students is deployed to improve their education, and not left unused.
  1. Document, document, document. While phone and personal conversations are important, do not rely on “word of mouth” or verbal promises to get services for your students. Always follow-up in writing to build a file on how your students and school are faring. This will allow you to launch an appeal more quickly, and take your problems to the state Ombudsman, if need be.

Download a PDF version of this information and a checklist to use during consultations courtesy of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty here.