Back-to-School Title I Programs Newsletter for Families

Title I schools serve some of the highest-need student populations in the country and are also required by federal law to maintain strong family communication. The back-to-school newsletter for Title I families is not just a good practice. It is part of a regulatory commitment to family engagement that starts on day one.

Explain what Title I funding supports at your school

Many families are unaware that their school receives Title I funding or what it provides. Be concrete: additional reading interventionists, extended learning time, tutoring programs, math support specialists, family engagement activities, or materials. When families understand that these resources are federally funded and tied to specific services, they are more likely to engage with those services.

Describe the services available for students

Explain how students are identified for Title I intervention services. Screening assessments in the fall. Teacher referral. Reading or math performance below grade level. Tell families what the services look like: small group pull-out, in-class support, before or after school programs. If a student is currently receiving services, families should know it and understand what to expect.

State family rights clearly

Title I regulations require schools to inform families of specific rights: the right to know about teacher qualifications, the right to receive information about their child's academic level and progress, and the right to be involved in the school's Title I planning. One paragraph naming these rights is a compliance requirement. Writing it clearly is a matter of respect for families who often do not know these rights exist.

Invite families into the engagement plan

Title I schools are required to develop a family and community engagement plan each year. Tell families what is in it: family nights, reading and math workshops, parent advisory opportunities, and family resource centers if your school has one. Name the events planned for the year and when they are scheduled.

Provide the contact for the Title I coordinator

Name the person at the school who manages Title I programs, their contact information, and what kinds of questions or concerns they can address. Families who have questions about their child's placement in intervention services, or who want to get more involved in school-level Title I planning, need to know who to contact.