Title I - Reading and Math Program
Jan Podpechan, Title I/Reading/RSA Coordinator
Title I is a federally funded, supplemental program intended for the elementary level. All Title I programs in Broken Arrow are targeted assisted sites. The goal of the Title I Programs is to assist students who are able to make gains in skill development, and to promote a positive self concept with a positive attitude toward learning.
The objective of the Title I reading program is to enhance the students’ reading skills at their instructional level by combining all language abilities to include speaking, writing and thinking. Basic skill development (phonological awareness, phonics, sight words, word meaning, etc.) is strongly emphasized. Promoting comprehension is a major priority for all teachers. Skills such as identifying main ideas and facts and details, sequencing, predicting, inferring, comparing and evaluating information that has been read are reinforced.
The Title I Math program provides high-quality, research based curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment. This enables the participating children to meet the State’s student academic standards. These standards are achieved through: 1) using curriculum which has been aligned with all district and state PASS objectives, 2) using research based methods and materials, 3) working with students both in small group settings and partnering with teachers in inclusion settings and 4) supporting teachers through district teacher training.
Student referrals are usually made by the homeroom teacher and are based on classroom performance and results from standardized tests. In addition, a parent may request that a screening be administered due to concerns they may have regarding their child’s skill level in reading or math.
We encourage parental involvement at both the district and site levels and we always welcome active participation.
Broken Arrow Public Schools is fortunate to have strong Title I reading and math programs. Based on the percentage of students qualifying for the free and reduced lunch programs, nine Broken Arrow schools receive federal funding. They are Arrow Springs, Arrowhead, Indian Springs, Leisure Park, Lynn Wood, Oak Crest, Rhoades, Vandever, and Westwood. Federal funding supplements, but may not supplant, state and local funds allocated for the provision of additional reading and math programs.
Each school having a Title I program has a reading specialist for grades K-2 and a math specialist for grades 3-5. Seven of the nine Title I schools will also have either a reading specialist or a remedial specialist for grades 3-5. These staff members are able to provide additional reading, language arts, and math instruction, beyond the regular classroom, to any students qualifying for support in those areas. The Title I specialists are valuable resources to be utilized by their schools to improve curriculum and instructional strategies.
Supporting and increasing parental involvement is another aspect of the Title I programs that makes them valuable assets to Broken Arrow Schools. Throughout the school year, informative reading and math activities that involve the entire family are provided at each site.
The federally funded Title I Program is another positive feature that makes Broken Arrow schools a place "Where Excellence Is a Tradition."
For more information, contact:
Jan Podpechan
Title I/Reading/RSA Coordinator
701 South Main Street
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012
918-259-5706/5701
