This Message Center is organized and operated by David Vitale Title I Status Report: 

Gail Kottwitz, Title I reading teacher at Schurz Elementary School, and Jenny Borst, administrator of the district’s Title I program presented details about the Title I reading program, including the scope of services to our district elementary schools and area parochial schools who qualify for services.  Title I is a federally funded program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that provides aid to schools in which a percentage of low income students is at or above the district average.  All schools in Watertown, with the exception of Lebanon, qualify for services.  Services provided are focused on reading in early primary grades (first and second grades).  Some assistance is provided in kindergarten and third grade that are also aided by our district’s general program budget.   

Staffing for the 2007-08 school year  funded by Title I dollars included 5.6 teachers (including the district reading specialist, Jan Detrie) and nearly 2 full time paraprofessionals.  133 public school students were served along with 38 parochial school students.  In 2004-05, a 60% teaching position was added to address parochial school needs.  Staffing for 2008-09 remains unchanged.

Jan Detrie discussed professional development and program details, such as Early Reading Empowerment, which is an intensive reading intervention adopted by both Title and regular staff to help underperforming students reach grade level performance standards.   

Emphasis was placed on the growing number of students who require remedial services.  Members of the committee were made aware of challenges and demands that potentially compromise the existing level of service provided to students currently enrolled in Title I services.

High School and Middle School Program of Studies 

Dave Vitale reviewed the upcoming additions to the 2009-10 course books that will appear in a resolution at the Board of Education's regular meeting on January 29.  Courses changes were addressed by teaching staff in past meetings of the curriculum committee and have been discussed during those meetings.   

posted January 14, 2009 « back to Message Center home

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