Title I

Some schools in the Niskayuna CSD are Title I schools. Being a Title I school means receiving federal funding to supplement the school’s existing programs. The funds are used to:

• Recruit/hire/retain highly qualified teachers
• Identify students experiencing academic difficulties and providing timely assistance to help students’ meet NYS standards
• Purchase supplementary materials and supplies
• Conduct parent involvement and engagement meetings

Parent’s Right to Know

Being a Title I school also means encouraging parental involvement and advocating for parents’ rights.

As a parent of a student in the Niskayuna Central School District, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teacher(s) who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask certain information about your child’s classroom teacher(s) and requires us to give you this information in a timely manner if you ask for it.

Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teacher(s):

• Whether any paraprofessionals provide service to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.
• Whether the NYS Education Department has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and subjects he or she teaches.
• The teacher’s college major and whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degree.
• Whether the NYS Education Department has decided that the teacher can teach in the classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulation because of special circumstances.

Parent and Engagement Policy

The Parent and Engagement Policy addresses how the school will implement the parental involvement requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It includes:

• How the school will work to build the schools’ and parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement to improve student academic achievement
• The school’s expectations for parents
• How the school will involve parents in decision making

Title I parents have the right to be involved in the development of the school’s Parent and Family Engagement Policy.

• Access the Policy 8260 Title I Parent and Family Engagement.

Complaint Procedures

Parents are also able to place a complaint about their child’s school violating Title I services. To ask questions or place a complaint with the district about their child’s school violating Title I services, contact the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction.

• Learn more about the complaint procedures at the NY State Education Office of ESSA-Funded Programs website.