How Title I can be used to fund professional staff development

Title I, Part A - Parental Involvement

Part A: What is parental involvement under No Child Left Behind?

Parental involvement always has been a centerpiece of Title I. However, for the first time in the history of the ESEA, it has a specific statutory definition. The statute defines parental involvement as the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring—

• that parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning;
• that parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school;
• that parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child; and
• that other activities are carried out, such as those described in section 1118 of the ESEA (Parental Involvement). [Section 9101(32), ESEA.]

The parental involvement section of Title I could be used for technology classes for parents put on by schools who are trying to encourage student use of technology.

A-12. May an SEA or LEA use funds from other Federal programs for activities related to parental involvement?

A number of ESEA programs allow the use of funds for parental involvement activities. Examples of such programs include Reading First, the Even Start Family Literacy Program, Comprehensive School Reform, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Subject to the rules and requirements of the program, those funds can be coordinated with the Title I, Part A funds that an SEA or LEA uses to meet its parental involvement responsibilities.

An SEA or LEA also may find the new transferability authority added by the NCLB useful in maximizing available funds for parental involvement activities under programs subject to that authority. Subject to specific requirements, that authority allows SEAs and LEAs to transfer a certain amount of funds among some programs, such as into Title V, Part A (“Innovative Programs”) to address local educational needs and priorities. [For more detailed information, see the Transferability Authority Non-Regulatory Guidance on line at http://www.ed.gov/programs/transferability/finalsummary04.doc.]

For more information visit the California Department of Education's web site on Title I, Part A Parent/Family Involvement

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CBET funds can be combined with Title I funds

Visit our CBET page for more information on how this can be done