Program Checkup: Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program Elements

Program Checkup: Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program Elements

November 23, 2020 | Grants Management

This is the first in a series of program checkups to ensure compliance.

Random validations were conducted early this year. If you were not one of the 80 LEAs selected statewide in October (4 per region), consider it an early Christmas gift! However, audits and compliance reporting are still in your future, so CSS will be distributing a series of program checkups to assist you with making sure you are in compliance. Today’s article will focus on the Title I, Part A Schoolwide (SWP) elements.

What are the Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program Elements?

The program implementation statutory requirements list three Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program Elements:

  • Element 1 – SWP Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)
  • Element 2 – SWP Campus Improvement Plan Requirements (CIP)
  • Element 3 – Parent and Family Engagement Requirements

Please read a detailed handout explaining the three required elements available at: Title I Schoolwide Program Elements.

All three of the Schoolwide Program Elements must be included in the current year CIP.

What documents are critical for compliance?

  • Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)
    • Description of the campus’s comprehensive needs assessment (CNA) process
    • Meeting agendas, meeting notes, sign-in sheets documenting the campus’s CNA process
  • Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) includes summary of CNA results and uses those results to determine program activities
    • Program evaluations from prior years are part of CNA process to determine effectiveness and to inform decisions concerning program implementation
  • Parent and Family Engagement Policy
    • Copy of written parent involvement policy for each LEA and Title I campus
    • Meeting agendas, meeting notes, sign-in sheet documenting participation of parents in the development of the policy and periodic updates to the policy to meet the changing needs of parents and the school
    • Evidence of policy distribution to parents and family members of participating students
    • Evidence of availability to the local community

For a complete documentation matrix, please click here.

For a listing of all ESSA program documentation requirements, please click here.

What are common errors found by TEA or in audits?

  • Not having roles by names on CNA or CIP committee rosters. Rosters should indicate the job title or role (such as “Parent” or “ESL teacher”) next to the name.
  • Not having more than one parent on the CNA and/or CIP committee. “Parents” is plural.
  • Not having multiple meeting opportunities for the annual Title I parent meeting.
  • Not having in the written CIP how program effectiveness will be evaluated.

Have questions or need assistance?

Let the Federal Programs Team at Charter School Success help you with your ESSA program compliance. Please contact:

Need more information?

Visit the Charter School Community Roundtable to ask questions, get answers and more!