Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
Title I is a federally-funded program that provides opportunities for all students to be successful learners. It is not part of Special Education. Cannon Falls School District offers Title I services for first and second grade students who would benefit from additional academic support. Students in first grade receive help with reading skills, and students in second grade will be offered support in reading and/or Math.Back to Top
Mrs. Linda Jokela is the Title I teacher. She has classroom teaching experience in first, second, and third grade, as well as Preschool. In addition to her K-6 Teaching License, she has a Minnesota K-12 Reading License.Back to Top
How do students qualify for Title I?
At the beginning of the school year, students' reading skills are individually assessed using a teacher-created assessment. The first grade reading survey includes letter recognition (upper and lower case), sounds of letters, recognizing 18 high frequency words, color words, and decodable words. The second grade reading assessment includes alphabet recognition, sounds of letters, recognition of 40 sight words, and decodable words. Students are also asked to read a passage aloud and answer comprehension questions following the reading. The Math assessment for second graders is a written test reviewing concepts taught in first grade. Students who show academic need as a result of the assessment will be offered Title I services. As the year progresses, the classroom teacher may recommend that a particular student be considered for Title I because of concerns about the child's progress. The student will be assessed and may enter the Title I program at that time.Back to Top
How do students receive Title I services?
Students work in small groups in the Title I room, E109, which is on the south end of the building. Groups usually include four to six students from the same classroom. Each group receives instruction every day at the same time for 25 minutes. The Title I teacher works closely with the classroom teachers to ensure that the skills that are taught in the classroom are being reinforced in the Title I room. Students in reading groups read a large variety of fiction and nonfiction books as they work on strategies for decoding words, phonics, and comprehension skills, with the goal of becoming fluent, thoughtful readers. Second grade Math groups work on skills that reinforce what they are learning in the classroom. Whenever possible, manipulatives are used to teach the skills.Back to Top
Students who qualify for Title I help will receive a permission slip to be signed by one of the child's parents. The notes are sent home as soon as the assessments are completed, generally by the end of September. Parents are encouraged to attend the parent meeting held in the fall to explain the Title I program. In addition to the description of the program, the Title I teacher will explain the reading strategies the students will be taught, so that parents can reinforce the use of those strategies at home. Details of the meeting will be sent home in a letter during the first month of school. An integral part of the Title I reading program is an at-home reading activity called "Book-in-a-Bag." Each day, students will choose a book from the Title I room, put it in a special plastic envelope, and take it home. A parent, grandparent, or other adult in the home listens and offers help when needed as the child reads the book. The parent then signs the form that is inside the envelope, and the child returns the book to the Title I room the next day. This process is repeated each day. Research shows that one of the best ways to get better at reading is to read a lot, so when lots of reading is happening both at school and at home, student reading is bound to improve! Parents are highly encouraged to stop by the Title I room and visit with the Title I teacher on Parent-Teacher conference day. There is not a Title I conference schedule, but parents can talk to Mrs. Jokela before or after your child's conference with the classroom teacher. At the fall conference, there will be a Parent/School Compact that needs to be signed by the parent, child, and teacher. This is an agreement stating that all three parties will work together to help the child be a successful learner.Back to Top