On May 18, 2010, the School Board awarded the request for proposal bid to Catapult Learning to provide third party remedial reading and mathematics services to eligible students at participating private schools through the Title I, Part A grant. Providing equitable services to eligible students in private schools is a requirement of the No Child Left Behind federal law. During the 2010/2011 school year, 29 private schools will participate in the district’s Title I program, which will serve approximately 700 students. The amount of funds to be approved will not exceed $1,880,000. These funds will address instructional and administrative costs, along with required set aside and equitable share activities such as staff development and parent involvement. All students participating in the Title I program will be administered pre- and post-assessments to measure academic growth.

This item is included in Special Revenue funds in an amount not to exceed $1,462,372 in Title I, Part A funds and $417,628 in Title I ARRA funds for a one-year period.

The most recent evaluation completed for the Title I private school program revealed that students being served through the district’s program were making statistically significant academic improvements in reading and math. At the conclusion of the 2010/2011 school year, a complete program evaluation will be conducted once again. Student achievement data, as well as survey results from principals, teachers, and parents will be used to determine overall program effectiveness. The results of this evaluation will be shared with the provider and be a critical factor when the district determines contract renewal and any future contract awards.