Tuscaloosa City School System Website Update – Federal Programs 2008-2009

Title I Programs

Title I programs, as authorized through the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, provides financial assistance through State educational agencies (SEAs) to local educational agencies (LEAs) and public schools with high numbers or percentages of poor children to help ensure that all children meet challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards.

LEAs target the Title I funds they receive to public schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families. Unless a participating school is operating a schoolwide program, the school must focus Title I services on children who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet State academic standards. Schools enrolling at least 40 percent of students from poor families are eligible to use Title I funds for schoolwide programs that serve all children in the school.

The Tuscaloosa City School System allocates the majority of its Title I funds for use directly by the local schools meeting the federal guidelines. Title I schools for the 2008-2009 school year are:

Alberta Elementary
Arcadia Elementary
Central Primary
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary
Northington Elementary
Oakdale Primary
South Elementary
Skyland Elementary
University Place Elementary
Woodland Forrest Elementary
Eastwood Middle School
South Middle School
University Place Middle
Westlawn Middle School
Central High School

Each school develops a plan to best meet the needs of their students based upon the results of a comprehensive needs assessment. Parents, staff, and faculty are included in the planning and the progress of the program is monitored throughout the year.

As effective research shows, a high level of parent involvement is a key component to a successful school. Parents are encouraged to become partners with their child’s education and to work with administration and teachers so that the best education possible may be provided. Parents are encouraged to sign a Parent-School Compact, along with their child’s teacher, as a commitment to the shared responsibilities for the education of their child.

For further information about your school’s Title I plan, talk with your child’s teacher or the school principal. Additional information, comments, or suggestions may also be made by contacting:

Dr. Latanza M. Harrison, Director of Federal Programs
Tuscaloosa City School System
P.O. Box 038991
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
(205) 759-3507