Title+I+Allocation

**Introduction to [|Title I Budgeting Process] **

As part of my finance coursework, I investigated how Title I Allocations are derived and the Title I budgeting process. In approximately May of each year, DPI communicates with the district language arts coordinator regarding the projected funding level for the following school year. At that point, the district language arts coordinator begins writing the Title I grant. This involves gathering data from reading teachers across the district and synthesizing building level Title I plans into a district plan. A per pupil allocation is calculated and schools are given an allocation based on the number of students that qualified for free and reduced lunch based on the third Friday of January count. Lastly, staff assignments are made based on the staffing level the building allocation can support.

**Reflection ** Maximizing Title I dollars involves many considerations, including limiting travel time. The amount of reading support a school can buy is dependent on individual teacher salaries. Balancing higher and lower salaries across the district appears to be the most equitable way to maintain similar levels of support across the district. As part of this investigation, I also learned that private schools are entitled to a portion of the Title I dollars.

Administrator Standard #4; Content Guidelines D, L