What is Title I?
Title I is the largest federal aid program for public and private schools in the U.S. Title I Funds provide financial assistance through State Educational Agencies to Local Education Agencies and schools that meet certain thresholds of student populations from low-income families. At minimum, to receive Title I status, schools must have at least 40% of the student population qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
While Title I funds are targeted to help address the needs of low income students, it’s notable that the funds are required to be spent on goods and services that benefit the entire student population of the school, not just those from low income families. The purpose of Title I is to ensure that all children meet the challenging state academic achievement standards.
Title I funds are to be used on products and services that will provide all students within the school a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education and to close educational gaps.
Each year congress budgets more than $16 billon towards Title I! That’s an incredible amount of money directed to our schools. Nearly 50% of U.S. public schools receive Title I funding.
Can Title I Funds be used on a Sensory Path?
Yes! Title I funds can be used towards the purchase of Sensory Path products.
A Sensory Path is a universal education tool that address the sensory needs of all students. Our Sensory Path products incorporate research-based movement series that intentionally target the internal sensory system by providing proprioceptive and vestibular input.
How do Sensory Paths Support Title I Objectives?
The Sensory Path provides a multi-layered approach to improving educational outcomes. A Sensory Path can be an invaluable resource to teachers and students throughout each school day.
The Sensory Path creates a dedicated and intentional space to offer guided movement that helps reset the internal sensory system. If a student’s internal sensory system is overstimulated or dysregulated, it is impossible for them to learn and retain new information. Regularly schedule visits to The Sensory Path help reduce distracting behaviors inside the classroom so that all students are better able to attend to a task and retain the information being taught.
The Sensory Path can be beneficial to students who:
- Diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, or other sensory processing disorders
- Struggle with transitions
- Have difficulty with multi-step directions
- Lack fundamental gross motor skills
- Exhibit weak muscle tone and/or coordination skills
- “Shuts down” with overwhelmed or upset
- Slow responsiveness
Low Stakes, High Impact
The Sensory Path can also serve as a space for alternate assessment. Some students have difficulty with traditional pen and paper testing. The Sensory Path can create a low pressure, informal setting for teachers to test a student. In this informal setting, teachers have a chance to instill confidence in a student’s mastery of an academic skill.
Building Relationships
The key to a successful school is quality relationships between the students and their families, faculty, staff, and administration. Adding Sensory Paths to a school provides a special space to build one-on-one relationships and promote inclusivity.
After completing The Sensory Path, students will exhibit reduced sensory-seeking behaviors. This improves the behavioral outcomes inside the classroom. As a result, teachers are more successful in managing the classroom and can be more confident that their lessons have been more fully absorbed and retained by students. This immediately improves the student-teacher relationship.
Additionally, since all students benefit from daily Sensory Path visits, students are on more equal footing and “that one kid” is no longer singled out. You’ll notice peer relationships improve as students become more emotionally regulated together.
Learning Environment Matters
When students walk into the school each morning, how they’re greeted makes a huge impact on their day. Adding Sensory Paths to your school halls brightens the environment and makes students feel excited, supported, and welcomed. Add this initial “WOW!” factor to the physical benefits of Sensory Paths and your students will quickly learn that school is a great place to be and know how much each person in the building is there to offer support in their learning.
A Sensory Path signals to students each day that it’s going to be a good day and that they’re going to receive the accommodations and support they need to be successful.
How to Use Title I Funds on a Sensory Path?
If you work in a Title I school, speak with your principal about the potential for allocating Title I funds towards Sensory Paths. Title I funds are “use it or lose it!” Meaning that any excess funds at the end of the fiscal year must be used or they’re gone forever and could impact next year’s fund allocation.
If your administration needs more information on the benefits of a Sensory Path, our website has a wealth of resources to help! Start with our blog on how to get your principal on board to address the most common questions. Then dig deeper on our blog to learn more about the many benefits of Sensory Paths!
To order a sample, product catalogue, and informational brochures, please complete the form below!
Learn more about funding options on our Sensory Path Funding resource page or contact us at holly@thesensorypath.com.
