Title I & Learning Assistance

Title I, Part A Overview

Title I, Part A is a federal program designed to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps. As the oldest and largest federal education program, Title I, Part A programs build equity of opportunity for children whose struggles often keep them on the academic sidelines.

Funds can be used for courses, activities, and programming in subjects such as English, reading or language arts, writing, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, geography, computer science, music, career and technical education, health, physical education, credit recovery, post-secondary instruction, and any other subject with the purpose of providing all students access to an enriched curriculum and educational experience.

Ellensburg School District schools receiving Title I, Part A funding: Lincoln Elementary, Valley View Elementary, Mount Stuart Elementary, Ida Nason Aronica Elementary, and Morgan Middle School.

Services Offered

The services offered are in addition to the core curriculum provided to all students. Eligible students may receive support during the school day, before or after school, or in summer school, including:

• One-on-one tutoring
• Small group instruction (pull-out)
• In-class support (push-in)
• Take-home instructional resources

Learning Assistance Program (LAP)

Learning Assistance Program (LAP) is a supplemental state-funded program designed to assist students in grades K-12 who score below standard in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. Because it has the same intent and purpose as Title I, Part A, both programs are coordinated together to meet student needs.

Program Goals

• Provide additional instruction and support to identified at-risk students so they meet grade-level standards.
• Provide empowering opportunities for parents and families to support their children's educational progress from birth to 12th grade.
• Catch struggling students early, using research-based interventions with fidelity.
• Regularly communicate with parents regarding student progress.
• Facilitate a smooth transition process between school levels, including support in meeting high school graduation requirements.

Why Family Engagement Matters

Family involvement in a child's education is a greater predictor of academic success than whether or not that family is affluent or poor. Students whose families take an active interest in their school life are more likely to attend school regularly, pass their classes, enroll in higher-level programs, and go on to higher education or a technical career.

The Family-School Compact

The Compact is an annual agreement between the parent, student, and school regarding the joint responsibilities in helping each student find success.

Parent & Family Engagement Policy

This policy guides how our district involves parents in the education of their students, and how the district's Title I programs are administered. The Board recognizes that parent involvement contributes to the achievement of academic standards by students participating in District programs. This policy is reviewed each year with parents and updated as needed.

Your Right to Know Your Child's Teacher's Qualifications

Parents of children in schools that receive Title I, Part A funding have the right to request and receive information about the professional qualifications of teachers and instructional paraprofessionals in their building.

• Parents' Right to Be Informed 
• Derecho de los Padres a Ser Informados (Spanish) 

District Title I Policies

Full district Title I policy documents:

• Title I Policies (folder) 

School Title I Brochures

• Lincoln Elementary
• Valley View Elementary  
• Ida Nason Aronica Elementary  
• Mount Stuart Elementary
• Morgan Middle School 
• What Is Title I? 
• ¿Qué es el Título I? (Spanish) 

School-Wide / School Improvement Plans (SWP-SIP)

• Lincoln Elementary
• Mount Stuart Elementary
• Valley View Elementary
• Morgan Middle School
• Ida Nason Aronica Elementary

Helpful External Resources

• OSPI — Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction 
• National PTA — tips for parents 
• Starfall — site for beginning readers 
• Washington Parent Power 
• National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools 

Washington State Report Card

Requesting Public Records

Title I is funded under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a federal law that distributes funding to schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families. To request Title I program records, submit a written request to:

Rhonda Schmidt, Executive Director of Student Services

1300 East Third Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Federal Programs — Citizen Complaint Procedure

Ellensburg School District provides federally funded programs to raise the academic achievement of struggling learners and address the complex challenges for students with academic, financial, or social needs. If an individual suspects that a violation of a federal rule, law, or state regulation applying to a federal program has occurred, a Citizen Complaint may be filed with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Requirements for Filing

• Must be submitted in writing and signed by the complainant.
• Must include contact information for the person filing.
• Must detail the school district or provider believed to have violated the regulation.

Where to Send Complaints

Complaint forms are available at the Ellensburg School District Federal Programs Office or on the OSPI website.

Mail: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Attn: Citizen Complaint—Title I, Part A, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504

Fax: (360) 586-3305

• OSPI Citizen Complaint Procedures