Understanding ESSA Grants and Title Funds at Poth ISD

Poth ISD Title I Annual Meeting Thurs., October 26, 2023 - 8:30 A.M. - Cafeteria Sat., October 28, 2023 - 3:30 P.M. - Mrs. Watts Room

Agenda What is the ESSA Consolidated Grant? What is Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; Title IV, Part A? Title Funds Budget for Poth ISD Program Plan -Schoolwide vs. Targeted Assistance Use of Funds for Poth ISD Eligibility Criteria at Poth Elementary Intervention Daily Routine Parent Involvement Opportunities Parent Right To Know

What is the ESSA Consolidated Grant and how does Poth ISD qualify for this? ESSA offers LEAs greater flexibility for using federal funds to effectively implement comprehensive, districtwide research-based initiatives that maximize student academic outcomes, particularly for those students at risk of not meeting challenging state academic assessment standards. ESSA renews the U.S. Department of Education s emphasis on comprehensive needs assessments and improvement planning. The new regulations increase LEAs responsibilities for monitoring student outcomes, coordinated use of federal funds, and for offering high-quality guidance and technical assistance to schools engaged in continuous improvement planning. Poth ISD qualifies for these funds based on economic need in the district. This information is calculated by the state based on economic data of the population within Poth ISD boundaries to determine eligibility and allotment of funds each year. Districts must meet a minimum criteria of low economic status to qualify and districts with a higher population of economically disadvantaged students receive more funds to provide these additional supports and initiatives intended through ESSA.

Title I, Title II, & Title IV Title I, Part A -provides supplemental resources to help schools with high concentrations of students from low-income families by providing a high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the state s student performance standards. Title I, Part A supports schools in implementing either a school-wide program or a targeted assistance program. These programs must use effective methods and instructional strategies that are grounded in scientifically based research. Title II, Part A -is to increase student achievement through improving teacher and principal quality and increasing the number of highly qualified teachers in classrooms and highly qualified principals and assistant principals in schools. The funds are used for recruitment, hiring and retention strategies. The program uses scientifically based professional development interventions and holds districts and schools accountable for improvements in student academic performance. Title IV, Part A -SSAE is to improve students' academic achievement by providing all students with access to a well-rounded education; improve school conditions for student learning; and improve the use of technology.

How much does Poth ISD receive in Title funds? Title I, Part A - $62,975 Title II, Part A -$19,537 Title IV, Part A -$10,000 Total ESSA Consolidated Grants -$92,512 For the 2023-2024 school year, Poth ISD elected to utilize the fund transferability option to consolidate all three grants to Title I. This allows the district to use the combined funds for fulfilling the purpose and intent of the Elementary intervention program through Title I allowable uses of funds.

Poth ISD Use of Funds Poth ISD has focused its title funds on the elementary campus where it feels that it can provide the most support for students and best prepare students for their future education as they progress through Junior High and High School. Since the district elected to consolidate all title funds to Title I, the district is able to provide 2 FTE Interventionists (1 Full-Time, 2 Part-Time) to students at the Elementary who need additional instructional support. All interventionists are active certified teachers with over 78 years of teaching experience combined. 23-24 Elementary Interventionists -Stacy Yanta, Linda Downs, Sally Tamez

Schoolwide vs. Targeted Assistance Schoolwide Campus (SW): A campus may become eligible to operate a Schoolwide program if 40% or more of the students residing in the attendance area or enrolled at the campus are from families that meet your organization s low-income criteria. The campus must also ensure that the LEA has incorporated the elements of a Schoolwide program in its Schoolwide program plan and/or in the Campus Improvement Plan. Under the Schoolwide program, any students on that campus may receive Title I supports provided by the district at any time. - Poth previously qualified under Schoolwide in past years. Beginning this 23- 24 school year, the district does not meet the 40% economically disadvantaged criteria to continue to operate Title I on a Schoolwide basis.

Schoolwide vs. Targeted Assistance Targeted Assistance Campus (TA): A campus may be served Targeted Assistance as long as the campus is Title I, Part A, eligible (35% low-income percentage or equal to or greater than the LEA low-income percentage). TA campuses may only serve students identified in greatest need of services and must establish a Title I, Part A LEA Program Plan and multiple, educationally related, objective criteria to identify students in greatest need. The campus may have supplemental criteria in a campus improvement plan. The campus cannot serve all students in a grade. It can only serve students identified as in greatest need based on multiple, educationally related, objective criteria. - Poth ISD now operates under the Targeted Assistance campus designation.

Targeted Assistance - Student Eligibility Criteria Eligibility criteria for students to attend Tier 3 intervention classes are based on: Past STAAR Data Past school year s academic progress Teacher input MAP Data (EOY-previous school year & BOY-current year) Each six weeks, an intervention committee meets to discuss students in Tier 3. The committee consists of grade level teachers, interventionists, and administrators. If students are in Tier 3 and also receive services through special education/504 those teachers are involved as well.

Daily Routine of Support Each grade level is given one hour of support five days a week from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. The hour is broken into two sections with one being devoted to math intervention and the other to reading intervention. During these support times students are working on gaps in their learning with researched-based curriculums to help support their learning. Students will never miss any grade- level instruction as all students are working on either interventions or extension lessons during this time.

Parental Involvement Opportunities Parents are always encouraged to be a part of their child s education in as many ways as possible. Here are some opportunities Poth ISD offers and as well as recommendations for all parents across the district Participate in Class Activities Volunteer Community Fair/Activity Night -More information to come Open House -at beginning of the year Fall Fest Join the Poth PTO, Poth Education Foundation, or other district support organizations Help with homework Support your child s extracurricular activities Monitor screen time -television, video games, iPad

Parent Right To Know Parents have the right to know the professional qualifications of their child's teachers, including the degrees and certifications held, and whether the teacher is certified in their respective area of instruction. Parents have the right to know the school improvement status of the school. Parents have the right to know the achievement level of their child in each area according to state assessments. Parents have the right to know if their child has been assigned, or has been taught, for at least four consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet the highly qualified definition. To request any of this information, please contact the Elementary Campus Office at 830-484-3321. From here, someone can transfer you to the best contact.

Questions or Feedback? Please feel free to contact us at any time should any questions arise or use the QR code above to submit questions or feedback directly to the district. - - - - - - - - Elementary Principal -Lorelei Rodgers, lrodgers@pothisd.us Elementary Assistant Principal -Michelle Scheffler, mscheffler@pothisd.us Director of Learning & Assessment -Josh Wadsworth, jwadsworth@pothisd.us Elementary Counselor -Suzie Martinez, smartinez@pothisd.us District Nurse -Kayleigh Zidek, kzidek@pothisd.us Cafeteria Manager -Betty Moy, bmoy@pothisd.us Chief Financial Officer -Braden Lyssy, blyssy@pothisd.us Superintendent -Ashley Chohlis, achohlis@pothisd.us