Title I, Part A: Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged

Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA) supports local school districts to improve teaching and learning for children in high poverty schools to enable them to meet challenging academic content and performance standards.  Title I emphasizes the following: To promote learning time in accelerated rather than remedial classes; to increase building level decision making; and to increase effective parent engagement.

The Rio Rancho School District funds public schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families (Title I Schools).  All Title I designated schools operate schoolwide programs, using Title I funds to upgrade their entire educational programs to improve achievement for all students, particularly the lowest-achieving students.
Under Title I, LEAs are required to provide services for eligible private school students, as well as eligible public school students. In particular, Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, requires a participating LEA to provide eligible children attending private elementary and secondary schools, their teachers, and their families with Title I services or other benefits that are equitable to those provided to eligible public school children, their teachers, and their families. RRPS works in partnership with St. Thomas Aquinas school and Gospel Light Baptist Academy to offer private school participants support to meet their educational needs and supplement the educational services provided by the private school.

2024-2025 Title I designated schools

Elementary (Grades K-5)

Colinas del Norte, Cielo Azul, Ernest Stapleton, Joe Harris, Maggie Cordova, Martin Luther King Jr., Puesta del Sol, Rio Rancho, Vista Grande

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Eagle Ridge, Lincoln, Rio Rancho

High School (Grades 9-12)

Independence

Parental Involvement

Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy – RRPS Policy 904
Parental engagement has always been a centerpiece of Title I. Parents play an integral role in assisting their child(ren)’s learning.

Why is parental involvement important?

A synthesis of the research concluded that “the evidence is consistent, positive, and convincing: families have a major influence on their children’s achievement in school and through life. When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.” ((https://parentsinternational.org/the-impact-of-school-family-and-community-connections-on-student-achievement/))

What does the research show

Studies have found that students with involved parents, no matter what their income or background, are more likely to—

  • Earn high grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs;

  • Pass their classes, earn credits, and be promoted;

  • Attend school regularly; and

  • Graduate and go on to postsecondary education.

(Henderson, Anne. T. and Mapp, Karen L., A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement, 2002, p.7)

Addressing Parent Concerns (filing a complaint)