Title 1 Services

Many of you may have had these very questions go through your mind the first time you heard about the program. As the Title I Administrator for RSU/MSAD59, I hope to clarify both what Title I is and why it is important.

• The Maine Department of Education defines Title I as “a federal program that provides financial assistance to school districts and schools with high percentages of children from low-income families.”

• The “federal monies [provided through Title I] support a variety of services to help ensure all Maine students have fair and equal opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on State standards and assessments.”

• In essence, Title I is a program designed to help equal the playing field, ensuring that all children have access to effective programming and teaching, in spite of challenging socioeconomic circumstances.

• Madison Elementary School is currently Title I Targeted School and Madison Junior High is school-wide or are working toward that designation.

• Qualifying for these funds allows our district to better meet the needs of all children and to help them meet grade level expectations. Some children receive one-on-one instruction by a Title I teacher; others may receive small group instruction; and—in some cases—an extra teacher may be brought into the classroom during reading, writing or math blocks.

• These interventions by Title I staff have a significant impact in the lives of our students across the district. If you have any questions regarding the RSU59 Title I program, please feel free to contact your child's school.