Two Loudoun Schools Expected to Lose Title I Status
Two Loudoun County Schools Face Loss of Title I Status in Upcoming Academic Year
Two elementary schools in Loudoun County, Dominion Trail and Leesburg, are projected to lose their Title I funding status for the next academic year, potentially impacting the resources available to their students and families. Title I is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to schools with a significant number of students from low-income families. Currently, nine schools within the district benefit from these funds, which are aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.
Chief Academic Officer Ashley Ellis elaborated on the situation, explaining that preliminary analysis indicates both schools will drop below the eligibility threshold for Title I assistance, which is currently set at 55%. This threshold is notably lower than the federal requirement of 75%, thus impacting local interpretations of the program’s parameters. According to Ellis, this information is derived from data collected through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which accounts for various factors such as enrollment in Head Start programs, access to nutrition assistance, and instances of homelessness among students.
Ellis pointed out that while one might expect fluctuations in Title I funding, it is unusual for schools to experience significant changes in status. The decision to grant Title I status is re-evaluated annually, and last year, both Dominion Trail and Leesburg Elementary were temporarily “held harmless,” allowing them to retain Title I funding even though their metrics indicated a potential drop in eligibility. However, as per the current preliminary data, it appears that they will not regain their status.
One factor contributing to this decline may be recent adjustments to attendance zone boundaries, which could have led to shifts in student demographics. Although the exact impact remains uncertain, it is indicative of the dynamic nature of school funding policies and practices.
Title I funding supports various initiatives, including part-time salaries for additional educational staff, supplemental learning materials, and programs aimed at fostering family engagement in the educational process. In anticipation of this change, Ellis has assured stakeholders that the School Board and district administrators will proactively seek solutions to mitigate any negative effects on the two schools should they lose their Title I designations.
It is also noteworthy that the overall Title I funding for the Loudoun County school system will remain unchanged, as it is determined based on broader system-wide statistics rather than the individual performance metrics of specific schools. Consequently, the seven remaining Title I schools could receive increased funding in the event that Dominion Trail and Leesburg Elementary drop out of the program.
As Loudoun County navigates these impending changes, the focus will be on ensuring that all students receive the necessary resources to support their educational journeys, regardless of their school’s Title I status. The district remains committed to working collaboratively with school principals and leadership teams to address any challenges that arise from potential funding losses.
