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Title I
Support for Mathematics & Reading

Support for Mathematics & Reading

Assabet Valley RVTHS provides Title I program assistance to students struggling in both Mathematics and Reading. These programs include:
  • Reading and Writing Workshop 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Algebra I Topics/Title I Math
  • Integrated Geometry & Algebra I Topics/Title I Math
      
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School welcomes parent participation and support of all Title I programs.  
DESE Introduction to Title I

DESE Introduction to Title I

As defined by the DESE: Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA) provides financial assistance to districts and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. Federal funds are currently allocated through statutory formulas that are based primarily on census poverty estimates and the cost of education in each state.
   
Title I, Part D is a program that provides funds to improve educational services for children and youth in local and state institutions for neglected or delinquent children. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) also provides sub-grants using state and federal funds to districts for the purpose of providing assistance for district and school improvement.
PAGE CONTACTS & RESOURCES

PAGE CONTACTS & RESOURCES

Robert McCann, III, Director of Academic Programs & Title I
RMccann@assabet.org | 508-263-9605

Mathematics Selection Process

Incoming Grade 9 Assabet Students & Transfers:

Eligible students are identified using our Study Island (Edmentum) online placement test that is administered each May for incoming 9th-grade students. The test consists of predominantly thirty (30)  Algebra I questions which students are able to take online from their homes. 

Based on the results of the online test, a rank ordered list of eligible students is produced. All the lowest student scores are judged as the most neediest students to be serviced in mathematics and hence are put on a preliminary list of students eligible for Title I services in mathematics. This preliminary list is further refined to keep only the students with either low grades in mathematics in 7th and 8th grade or students with a learning disability. Generally the rank-ordered list consists of 45 students as three (3) sections of 15 students each is most manageable for strong teacher-student ratios with small group and individual attention. 
  

Current Grade 9 Students in Title I Math moving to Grade 10 Title I Math:

Students currently in Grade 9 Title I Math continue with Grade 10 Title I Math or "test out" of the support program. Title I Math teachers rank order students for the next year's class based on the current school year benchmark exam averages. This data along with final core Algebra I final grades, Algebra I final exam grades, and teacher recommendations complete the selection process for Title I Grade 10 Math. 
  

Current 9th grade and current 10th grade Assabet Students not in Title I Math:

During the first week of academics for both A Week freshmen and B Week sophomores students are given the "Algebra I Pre-Test" or the "Geometry Pre-Test". Students who score in the lowest grouped percentile are placed on a preliminary list for open spots. Those students on that preliminary list get a folder created for them listing their pre-test grades, latest final exam grades, latest final course grades, and MCAS Math history data. Those specific criteria yield an overall rank order list for students to be placed into Title I Grade 9 or 10 Math.

Reading Selection Process

Incoming Grade 9 Students and Transfers 

Assabet Valley is a Targeted Assistance Title I District. Incoming freshmen are administered the GRADE Reading Test for screening purposes in the spring after they are accepted. Their results are rank ordered. Students who possess reading skills below grade 6 are assigned to Reading Improvement for freshman year. Students assigned to Title I Reading class are then administered the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System for diagnostic purposes. Their results, along with writing samples, are used to determine continued placement or exit from the Title I Reading class. 
 
Most recently our Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System recognizes students reading independently at Level Z to be promoted from Title I Reading Services.
  
 

Current 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade  Assabet  Students 

Assabet Valley is a Targeted Assistance Title I District. All upperclassmen enrolled in Reading Improvement are administered the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System and GRADE Reading test in the spring. Their results, along with the reading teacher’s recommendation, determine whether or not the student remains in reading for the following year. Classroom daily performance and grades in their core classes are also used to determine placement.
 
Prior to this in-depth testing, the students are given a placement pretest on readtheory.org which will determine an approximate grade and lexile level. These levels correspond to a starting point for continued testing with the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System.  This assessment system will serve as the foundation for Targeted Assistance Rank Order Placement in Reading. All students currently in Reading and recommended for Reading will be tested throughout the month of September. The Assessment system takes into account 15 different reading criteria.