empowering families through title 1



The purpose of Title I is to provide all children “significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.”
⁠— Ohio Department of Education

Marietta City Schools recently held Title I nights at all three elementary buildings focusing primarily on literacy and engaging parent-child relationships in each students' academic journey. 

"We want parents working with their child when we plan stations," described Anne Burnworth, a Title I teacher at Washington Elementary School. "It was a fun evening and all the hard work paid off."

Both primary elementary buildings welcomed veteran employee Christina Lamb with two creations of her own as the featured guest of the night. 

Join us here Sunday to read along with Lamb again in a recording of the tales of Bessie the Basset Hound and learn more about Lamb's publishing journey.

At Marietta Elementary School (3-6), these Title I nights coincided with February's parent-teacher conferences and the school's book fair. 


"We're required to do at least one event like that each year and [it is] a fun way to get parents involved helping their kids and seeing how," shared Phillips Principal Scott Kratche at the March Board of Education meeting. "And then they hopefully get involved when they're at home."

A home environment that encourages learning is more important to student achievement than income, education level or socioeconomic background. Research shows that adults at home can influence the success of their child in school more than any teacher or federal progam.

But what is Title I?

Title I is the nation's largest federal assistance program for schools. Each K-5 student is eligible for all services provided by the federal statute. 

Each student receives academic remediation (intervention) or enrichment when appropriate.
Targeted assistance helps eligible children meet performance standards by placing them with Title I staff who are specially trained. This service is completely funded by Title I.


A school-wide program is authorized by federal law when a school serves at least 40 percent low-income students. The school-wide model:

  • Serves all students in eligible and identified schools.
    In our district, Phillips, Washington and Marietta Elementary schools and St. Mary Catholic School are all identified Title 1 schools.
  • Allows eligible schools to use Title I funds to pay for educational programs, staff members or services that benefit each child within that school.

Marietta City Schools utilizes the school-wide model.