| First enacted in 1965, The Elementary and | | | | excuse by offering to provide free child care at |
| Secondary Education Act is the statute that | | | | the parent meeting. If you plan a fun activity for |
| authorizes the federal government to provide | | | | the students, such as crafts or an entertainer, |
| educational funding to schools. This act gets | | | | they will be excited about the evening and |
| revised and renewed by Congress every five | | | | encourage the parents to come. |
| years to help the government keep up with the | | | | Have a parents-only party |
| needs of schools and the resources needed to | | | | School parent meetings do not have to be all |
| provide children with a quality education. | | | | business. Offer parents an incentive to look |
| There are many sections and provisions to the | | | | forward to coming to a school meeting by |
| Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Each | | | | scheduling a guest speaker, entertainer, or |
| section addresses specific needs in our education | | | | parents-only ice cream social as part of the night. |
| system and provides funding for specific projects. | | | | Switch to Email Newsletters |
| Title 1 (also known as Title I, Part A or Title One) | | | | Printed school newsletters that are sent home |
| is the section of the Elementary and Secondary | | | | with students are more likely to end up squished |
| Education Act that provides funding for schools | | | | in the bottom of a backpack than in the hands of |
| with larger populations of lower-income families. | | | | the parents they are intended for. If your school |
| This Title 1 funding is part of No Child Left Behind | | | | offers an option for email delivery of newsletters, |
| Act, which is part of the more recent legislation in | | | | you can at least be sure that the newsletters are |
| the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. | | | | arriving to the intended recipients. Title 1 funding |
| As of 2010, there are over 50,000 public schools | | | | could be used to help set-up an email newsletter |
| and educational institutions in the United States | | | | program, either through your school districts |
| who receive Title I money. To qualify for funding, | | | | internet website provider, or through an email |
| a school must have a certain percentage of | | | | newsletter company such as Mail Chimp or |
| families who fall under the United States | | | | Constant Contact. Parents can be invited to |
| government guidelines for being a low-income | | | | sign-up their email addresses at open houses and |
| family. This percentage has changed over the | | | | during school registration. |
| years, but recently has been set at 40%. | | | | Host hands on educational fun nights |
| There are strict guidelines to how schools can | | | | Hosting family nights with math, science or reading |
| spend Title 1 funding. Title One grants / funds | | | | themes is a way for parents and students to |
| must be used to help schools meet the | | | | explore educational concepts beyond the |
| educational and graduation goals for their students. | | | | classroom. Stations can be set-up around the |
| Acceptable use of Title 1 money includes funding | | | | school where families can do a fun project, |
| to improve curriculum, increase teaching and | | | | activity or game that ties into the theme. |
| counseling staff, pay for educational enrichment | | | | Teachers can be available at each station to |
| programs and assemblies, and provide | | | | encourage discussions with parents, as families |
| after-school and summer tutoring programs to | | | | rotate through the projects. |
| students. | | | | The station concept allows for an "open house" |
| Parental involvement is an important element to | | | | format to the evening that will accommodate |
| the Title One school program. Schools must have | | | | more schedules. You can encourage families to |
| a policy that encourages parental involvement in | | | | stay for all activities by ending the evening with |
| the education of their child. Elementary and middle | | | | special refreshments or a performance by an |
| schools must also actively provide projects and | | | | entertaining presenter who does a science |
| activities to get parents and students involved. | | | | demonstration show, reading program, or show |
| Getting lower income families involved in schools, | | | | about math. Ending with something extra special |
| however, can be a frustrating challenge. The | | | | will end the evening memorably and give a chance |
| following four easy-to-implement suggestions will | | | | for all the school families to come together. The |
| help schools meet the parental involvement | | | | cost of the station activities and educational |
| requirements of Title 1. | | | | entertainment show can qualify for appropriate |
| Provide free child care at parent meetings | | | | use of Title I funds. |
| Parent meetings are an important aspect of | | | | Parent-teacher groups, principals, and teachers |
| parental involvement in a school. Parents in lower | | | | who wish to use Title I money for family |
| income families, however, are less likely to be | | | | activities at the school should consult with the |
| willing to pay for a baby sitter to watch their kids | | | | Title I coordinator in your building or school district. |
| while they come to attend a school meeting. This | | | | They will be able to direct you on how to apply |
| then becomes are very easy and convenient for | | | | for the funds and how much funding may be |
| parents to not attend. You can eliminate this | | | | available in the Title 1 budget. |