What is Title III?
Title III is the section of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that relates primarily to language and literacy development. This federal act defines American Indian/Alaska Native students as members of a community who can qualify for language and literacy support. The federal definition is here: ESSA Title VIII, Sec. 8101(20).
What are Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services?
Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services provide your child with free, additional, professional language and literacy assistance. The goal is to support your child in achieving academic success to prepare for college and employment.
Services focus on your child’s individual language and literacy needs. Each student’s language proficiency level, grade level, and educational background are considered to determine what services are appropriate.
Who can qualify for Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services?
Your child can qualify for support by being American Indian/Alaska Native, academically at-risk, and by scoring below the Proficient level on the WIDA Screener. Districts and State-Tribal Education Compact schools determine what makes a student academically at-risk. Nearly all use the annual Smarter Balanced academic assessments to determine if a student is academically at-risk. Documented tribal affiliation or enrollment is not a requirement for Title III eligibility.
Where are Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services available?
If your child qualifies for Title III services, then your child’s school must provide the services to your child, even if the school does not currently have a program.
How long will my child qualify for Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services?
Your child will exit the Title III supplemental language and literacy services when the Proficient level is reached on the annual WIDA assessment. You may waive Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services at any time that you wish, but your child will still be required to take the annual WIDA assessment.
What is WIDA?
WIDA is a 41-state consortium that promotes educational equity for multilingual learners through language development standards, assessments, and high-quality professional learning for PK-12th gr educators.
What are the WIDA Screener and annual assessment?
The WIDA Screener and annual assessment, called ACCESS, are tests used to determine whether your child is eligible for language and literacy support through Title III. The tests are also an instructional tool for teachers to determine what supports your child needs most.
The screener is given once to determine whether your child is eligible for Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services. Students who score at the 1 to 4.5 overall level (or 1 to 4 level for K-1st gr) qualify for services to build stronger language and literacy skills.
The annual ACCESS assessment is given in the spring of each year, until your child achieves the Proficient level and exits the services. The Proficient level is an overall score at the 5.0 level or above (or 4.5 level or above for K-1st gr). The test helps teachers determine what language and literacy instruction will best support your child. Perhaps most importantly, the test can give you an idea of what skills you can practice with your child at home to improve your child’s language and literacy skills.
What the WIDA Screener and annual assessment are not:
The WIDA Screener and annual ACCESS assessment are not used as a high school graduation requirement or for withholding a child’s promotion from one grade to the next. The tests are also not to be used as the single measurement for the referral for Special Education services.
If you have questions about testing or Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services, please contact your teacher.