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Harford County Public Schools particpates in national Title I conference

Thomas Webber, assistant supervisor of Title I for Harford County Public Schools, recently presented at the National Title I Conference in Philadelphia, Feb. 8 to 11.

Webber presented “Cross-District Collaboration on Implementing, Training, and Monitoring Title I, Part A” along with Title I representatives from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Charles County Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools.

Their presentation focused on MSDE partnering with state school systems to implement and monitor Title I, Part A under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Part A of Title I gives financial assistance to educational agencies and schools that have a high percentage of students from low-income families to help them meet state academic standards.

In 2017, MSDE asked Title I offices to assist in the development of an application, guidance documents and monitoring tools. HCPS’s Brad Palmer, supervisor of Title I, and Webber served on different committees to assist with the new initiative. MSDE established professional learning communities by organizing local school systems into regions based on geographical location.  

“This was an opportunity for Harford County Public Schools to be part of a collaboration with MSDE and counties across Maryland, resulting in shared ownership in the expectations outlined in the Title I grant. Now, we have professional learning communities that will benefit the students and families in Harford County,” said Webber. “This collaboration led to a deeper understanding of the new ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) and helped to build the capacity of our Title I staff to provide leadership and guidance to Title I schools.”

Young-chan Han, family involvement/Title I specialist with MSDE, Tracey Adesegun, Title I coordinating supervisor with Prince’s George’s County Public Schools, and Sharron Rouse, coordinator of Title I programs for Charles County Public Schools joined Webber in the presentation.