So, I got a letter in the mail today, from our local superintendent asking if I would be interested in participating in "Title I, Part A" program. Does anyone have any experience with this? It looks like a way to get some funding, but I am unclear as to what I would be able to use it for, what restrictions would be placed on it, etc. Anyone?
I know there are a few here who get money from their district to buy their curriculum with. It sounds like the same kind of program. Batmanswife I know is in a program, and I think there are others. We have nothing like that here, but because our school money is always so tight I probably would give it a try.
That is what I am thinking, that if they are offering money, I would take it, but it really depends on the different restrictions...
I tried looking, Title 1 has to do with money from the government and seems to revolve around no child left behind. I wonder just how in your business they would be. I'm in a highly regulated state, one of the highest, but it's bareable because the people at the district leave us alone, we just have to turn in this and that and jump through a few barely flaming hoops.
My concern would be similar to Sommer's. Title 1 "things" (at least in the public school system) are tied closely to the government and no child left behind. I'd research it carefully and thoroughly...
I would be very concerned if its coming from government. They have a tendency to get too in your business for my taste.
I'm thinking that they want to use your kids to get more money, which if they are giving you a good chunk of change (most who get money through programs through the public schools seem to get about $1,500 per student per year on average), I wouldn't mind if I had to meet with an overseer who was not going to try to tell me what to do once a month or something. I have heard of some who get an "adviser" who wants to put their nose too much into the homeschoolers business and tries to bully them into doing things their way. I know here we are required to test in 3rd, 5th and 8th grades via standardized tests. We get a letter every year offering for us to join the school on the PSSA testing. I choose not to use their "services" and test myself using the CAT test. The district gets money for their PSSA results, I see none of that money... I'm not going to help them get more. Does that make sense?
It does make sense. I guess I am just going to have to call and find out. I wouldn't mind taking the tests, as we do one anyway each year-for me not the state (KY doesn't require them), but if they would require me to use a certain curriculum, that would be a deal-breaker. I could surely use a "donation" to my homeschool, though!
Usually they let you choose what you want to use BUT it can not be Christian based and I think most have to get their choices approved or they pick from a list of already approved curricula.
Title 1 is a government program based on the number of low income students in a school. The schools get extra money from the federal government. When my kids were in public school, they bribed the kids with candy bars if they would bring in papers showing the family size and income. My school district also strategically arranges which kids go to which elementary school so they can get just the right number of low income kids so that all the schools get Title 1 money. I would approach this with caution as Title 1 families in our district seem to have to attend extra programs and there are specific parent involvement requirements. Could it possibly be some other kind of Title 1? I can't imagine why a school would want homeschoolers to participate...unless it helps them get more money.
http://www.k12.wa.us/TitleI/TitleI/ParentsGuide.aspx Ok, this link is not from your state, but it seems to explain Title 1 Part A, and I almost think if this is the same thing, I would be very insulted by the letter being sent to me. We are "poor", we live on a very tight budget. We probably aren't very far above the income requirements for foodstamps (actually when hubby has no overtime we do qualify but choose not to ask for the help). I would ask a lot of questions. I really would still be open to taking money if they offered a decent amount and I was still the one who was really in charge of our school.
I believe the system is trying to get homeschoolers back into the public school system. Once upon a time, charters, independent study programs, and other government programs, wouldn't have dared use the title "homeschool". Now you can find the word all over public funded program websites because they want to draw in homeschoolers who believe it is the same thing as private homeschooling, but the government is nice enough to help them pay. :?
