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Project Appleseed engages parents and families in America's public schools!
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In 1994, Project Appleseed advised the White House on developing the inaugural parental involvement provisions within Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Title I Parent & Family Engagement
Family engagement is a cornerstone of Title I and a proven strategy for improving student outcomes—especially in schools serving students from low-income families. Under ESSA, parent and family engagement is not an add-on. It is a required, ongoing partnership between schools, families, and communities.
Project Appleseed has worked for decades to ensure these expectations are clear, actionable, and centered on parents as leaders in school improvement.
History of Project Appleseed’s Role in Title I Policy
Project Appleseed’s influence on federal parent engagement policy reaches back to the early 1990s. In 1994, founder Kevin Walker proposed new parent involvement language to
the White House and met with senior domestic policy leaders, contributing to the establishment of key parental engagement provisions in Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. These provisions emphasized parent rights, school-family collaboration, and transparency in school performance.
Over successive reauthorizations of ESEA—including No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and today’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)—those foundational parent engagement requirements have been reaffirmed and strengthened. ESSA, in particular, underscores shared decision-making, family-school compacts, and continuous evaluation of engagement efforts.
Project Appleseed continues to advocate for implementation supports, clarity, and alignment between policy and practice so that engagement is more than compliance—it becomes a strategy for student success.
Professional Development Solutions
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Overview of Title I Engagement Requirements
Title I was designed to close opportunity gaps by ensuring that families are informed, welcomed, and empowered partners in their children’s education. ESSA strengthened these expectations by emphasizing shared responsibility, continuous improvement, and meaningful participation—not one-time events.
When parents understand how schools operate and how students are progressing, they are better equipped to support learning and advocate for equity.
District-Level Title I Responsibilities
Districts receiving Title I funds must:
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Develop a districtwide Parent and Family Engagement Policy jointly with parents.
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Provide coordination, technical assistance, and support to schools implementing engagement activities.
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Build the capacity of educators and families to work together as partners.
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Conduct an annual evaluation of parent engagement efforts and use the results to improve practice.
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Ensure communication is accessible, inclusive, and understandable to all families.
These responsibilities are not procedural—they are strategic. Strong district leadership sets the tone for authentic engagement at every school.
School-Level Title I Responsibilities
Each Title I school must:
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Hold an annual Title I parent meeting to explain programs, funding, and parent rights.
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Involve parents in developing the school Parent & Family Engagement Policy.
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Create a School–Parent Compact outlining shared responsibilities for student success.
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Offer flexible opportunities for parent participation.
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Provide parents with timely information about curriculum, assessments, and student progress.
Effective schools go beyond compliance by making parents feel respected, informed, and essential to the work.
Collaborating With Parents for Student Success
Research consistently shows that students perform better when families and schools work together. School–Parent Compacts are a key Title I tool for aligning expectations and building trust. When developed collaboratively and revisited regularly, compacts become living agreements that support learning at home and at school.
Family engagement works best when it is continuous, relational, and focused on student learning—not just attendance.
Tools and Support for Implementation
Project Appleseed supports Title I schools and districts with practical, research-based tools, including:
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Planning templates and assessments
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Professional development for educators and parent leaders
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Workshops aligned with ESSA requirements
These resources help schools move from minimum compliance to meaningful partnership.
Moving Forward
Title I presents a powerful opportunity: when schools fully engage parents as partners, students thrive and communities grow stronger. ESSA provides the framework—Project Appleseed helps bring it to life.
Family engagement is not a program. It is a strategy for school improvement that works.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides funding to support educational programs and services, including Title I programs, for disadvantaged students in elementary, middle, and high schools. Here are some resources for Title I under ESSA for educators, parents, and schools:
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U.S. Department of Education ESSA website: https://www.ed.gov/essa
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National Title I Association website: https://titlei.org/
It's important to note that these resources are intended as guidelines and may vary depending on individual state and school district policies. For the most accurate information, it's always best to check with your local school district or state education agency.
