Title I Schoolwide Programs to Support School Reform
A Title I schoolwide program (SWP) is a comprehensive reform strategy designed to upgrade the entire educational program in a Title I school. Its primary goal is to ensure that all students, particularly those who are low-achieving, demonstrate proficient and advanced levels of achievement on state academic standards.
Under the ESEA section 1114(a)(1), as amended by ESSA, a schoolwide reform strategy requires a school to:
- Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment.
- Identify and commit to specific goals and strategies that address those needs.
- Create a comprehensive plan.
- Conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the schoolwide program and revise the plan annually or as necessary.
Benefits of Operating a Schoolwide Program
A school that operates a schoolwide program is able to take advantage of numerous benefits including:
- Serving all students. A school operating a schoolwide program does not need to identify particular students as eligible to participate (ESEA Section 1114(a)(2)(A)(i).
- Providing services that need not be supplemental. A school operating a schoolwide program does not need to provide specific services that supplement the services participating students would otherwise receive (ESEA Section 1114(a)(2)(A)(ii)).
