Anonymous
03/09/2025 16:37
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:None of this is going to matter under this administration.
What's next?
Anonymous
03/08/2025 11:10
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
None of this is going to matter under this administration.
Anonymous
03/08/2025 10:44
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:Have they announced schools that have lost or gained Focus school status, or when does that happen? Have they changed the cutoffs for that? I believe it used to be over 30% FARMS and our school this year is a couple points below 30% FARMS so I'm worried we're going to lose Focus school status and the smaller class sizes in the lower grades.
Principals have been informed. My school’s status has changed and information was shared yesterday.
Anonymous
03/07/2025 08:26
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’m confused how Viers Mill didn’t qualify if their FARMS rate is 70% per this state document
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/SchoolandCommunityNutrition/Documents/Free%20and%20Reduced%20Data/SY25-Statewide-Detail-by-Agency.csv
Because they are not interested in who is actually poor. They only use the statistics for applying for and receiving SNAP benefits, and for many people who don't trust the current federal government, that is not going to happen. VM did extensive outreach with many staff volunteering their time to meet with families and walk them through the online application, and even with that support, families are extremely reluctant to apply for many reasons.
The FARMs rate of inboundary families at VM is actually much higher than 70%. The school has a high number of PEP classes that are only offered at a few locations, most of those students will not attend VM for kindergarten, and do not qualify for FARMs. Yet they are still included in the FARMs percentage numbers.
Are the numbers they’re using only from this current administration doesn’t it include numbers from when Biden was in office? I recall hearing about schools losing their title one based on changes from the Montgomery County Council.
I watched the issue closely and I don't think it was County Council changes - it was changes that MCPS made after it encouraged schools to stop collecting FARMS forms in cases where the entire school would receive free meals no matter what. Basically, MCPS Central Office dropped the ball, and then their "solution" was to rely on data that dramatically undercounts families who are concerned about being on government rolls.
In terms of the timeline, these are numbers collected in September/October 2024, so you are correct that it was before the election but it was after it was clear Trump could win. This means that people who had legal status (specifically pending asylum or refugee status) could reasonably fear filing for benefits even if they were eligible, because Trump 1.0 imposed "public burden" rules on asylum seekers and refugees, meaning that it disrupted their proceedings if they filed for benefits.
I think these changes have been in the works from before. I also think I misspoke when I said the Montgomery County Council when I probably meant the Board of Education and MCPS.
This article is from March 20 24. It’s about Veird Mill so I might be conflating my schools and timelines. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/elementary-schoolers-protest-loss-of-title-1-funding-in-silver-spring/3573760/
Anonymous
03/07/2025 08:16
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’m confused how Viers Mill didn’t qualify if their FARMS rate is 70% per this state document
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/SchoolandCommunityNutrition/Documents/Free%20and%20Reduced%20Data/SY25-Statewide-Detail-by-Agency.csv
Because they are not interested in who is actually poor. They only use the statistics for applying for and receiving SNAP benefits, and for many people who don't trust the current federal government, that is not going to happen. VM did extensive outreach with many staff volunteering their time to meet with families and walk them through the online application, and even with that support, families are extremely reluctant to apply for many reasons.
The FARMs rate of inboundary families at VM is actually much higher than 70%. The school has a high number of PEP classes that are only offered at a few locations, most of those students will not attend VM for kindergarten, and do not qualify for FARMs. Yet they are still included in the FARMs percentage numbers.
Are the numbers they’re using only from this current administration doesn’t it include numbers from when Biden was in office? I recall hearing about schools losing their title one based on changes from the Montgomery County Council.
I'm interested in know ing more about the changes by which the county council would reduce the number of Title I schools. Between federal dollars lost and the state pushing costs (teacher pensions, other costs) to the counties to cover, I am not surprised to see the county council make such changes.
I posted without reference back up so I’m going look for it when I get a chance. This is a discussion I remember from here on DCUM. The search feature isn’t very helpful but when I’ll get a chance, I’ll try and look into find my sources.
Anonymous
03/07/2025 08:14
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’m confused how Viers Mill didn’t qualify if their FARMS rate is 70% per this state document
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/SchoolandCommunityNutrition/Documents/Free%20and%20Reduced%20Data/SY25-Statewide-Detail-by-Agency.csv
Because they are not interested in who is actually poor. They only use the statistics for applying for and receiving SNAP benefits, and for many people who don't trust the current federal government, that is not going to happen. VM did extensive outreach with many staff volunteering their time to meet with families and walk them through the online application, and even with that support, families are extremely reluctant to apply for many reasons.
The FARMs rate of inboundary families at VM is actually much higher than 70%. The school has a high number of PEP classes that are only offered at a few locations, most of those students will not attend VM for kindergarten, and do not qualify for FARMs. Yet they are still included in the FARMs percentage numbers.
Are the numbers they’re using only from this current administration doesn’t it include numbers from when Biden was in office? I recall hearing about schools losing their title one based on changes from the Montgomery County Council.
I watched the issue closely and I don't think it was County Council changes - it was changes that MCPS made after it encouraged schools to stop collecting FARMS forms in cases where the entire school would receive free meals no matter what. Basically, MCPS Central Office dropped the ball, and then their "solution" was to rely on data that dramatically undercounts families who are concerned about being on government rolls.
In terms of the timeline, these are numbers collected in September/October 2024, so you are correct that it was before the election but it was after it was clear Trump could win. This means that people who had legal status (specifically pending asylum or refugee status) could reasonably fear filing for benefits even if they were eligible, because Trump 1.0 imposed "public burden" rules on asylum seekers and refugees, meaning that it disrupted their proceedings if they filed for benefits.
Anonymous
03/07/2025 08:02
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’m confused how Viers Mill didn’t qualify if their FARMS rate is 70% per this state document
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/SchoolandCommunityNutrition/Documents/Free%20and%20Reduced%20Data/SY25-Statewide-Detail-by-Agency.csv
Because they are not interested in who is actually poor. They only use the statistics for applying for and receiving SNAP benefits, and for many people who don't trust the current federal government, that is not going to happen. VM did extensive outreach with many staff volunteering their time to meet with families and walk them through the online application, and even with that support, families are extremely reluctant to apply for many reasons.
The FARMs rate of inboundary families at VM is actually much higher than 70%. The school has a high number of PEP classes that are only offered at a few locations, most of those students will not attend VM for kindergarten, and do not qualify for FARMs. Yet they are still included in the FARMs percentage numbers.
Are the numbers they’re using only from this current administration doesn’t it include numbers from when Biden was in office? I recall hearing about schools losing their title one based on changes from the Montgomery County Council.
I'm interested in know ing more about the changes by which the county council would reduce the number of Title I schools. Between federal dollars lost and the state pushing costs (teacher pensions, other costs) to the counties to cover, I am not surprised to see the county council make such changes.
Anonymous
03/07/2025 07:58
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’m confused how Viers Mill didn’t qualify if their FARMS rate is 70% per this state document
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/SchoolandCommunityNutrition/Documents/Free%20and%20Reduced%20Data/SY25-Statewide-Detail-by-Agency.csv
Because they are not interested in who is actually poor. They only use the statistics for applying for and receiving SNAP benefits, and for many people who don't trust the current federal government, that is not going to happen. VM did extensive outreach with many staff volunteering their time to meet with families and walk them through the online application, and even with that support, families are extremely reluctant to apply for many reasons.
The FARMs rate of inboundary families at VM is actually much higher than 70%. The school has a high number of PEP classes that are only offered at a few locations, most of those students will not attend VM for kindergarten, and do not qualify for FARMs. Yet they are still included in the FARMs percentage numbers.
Are the numbers they’re using only from this current administration doesn’t it include numbers from when Biden was in office? I recall hearing about schools losing their title one based on changes from the Montgomery County Council.
Anonymous
03/06/2025 23:25
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Have they announced schools that have lost or gained Focus school status, or when does that happen? Have they changed the cutoffs for that? I believe it used to be over 30% FARMS and our school this year is a couple points below 30% FARMS so I'm worried we're going to lose Focus school status and the smaller class sizes in the lower grades.
Anonymous
03/06/2025 21:54
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:I’m confused how Viers Mill didn’t qualify if their FARMS rate is 70% per this state document
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/SchoolandCommunityNutrition/Documents/Free%20and%20Reduced%20Data/SY25-Statewide-Detail-by-Agency.csv
Because they are not interested in who is actually poor. They only use the statistics for applying for and receiving SNAP benefits, and for many people who don't trust the current federal government, that is not going to happen. VM did extensive outreach with many staff volunteering their time to meet with families and walk them through the online application, and even with that support, families are extremely reluctant to apply for many reasons.
The FARMs rate of inboundary families at VM is actually much higher than 70%. The school has a high number of PEP classes that are only offered at a few locations, most of those students will not attend VM for kindergarten, and do not qualify for FARMs. Yet they are still included in the FARMs percentage numbers.
Anonymous
03/06/2025 18:19
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:Are High Schools included?
No
Anonymous
03/06/2025 18:15
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Are High Schools included?
Anonymous
03/06/2025 17:51
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
I’m confused how Viers Mill didn’t qualify if their FARMS rate is 70% per this state document
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/SchoolandCommunityNutrition/Documents/Free%20and%20Reduced%20Data/SY25-Statewide-Detail-by-Agency.csv
https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/SchoolandCommunityNutrition/Documents/Free%20and%20Reduced%20Data/SY25-Statewide-Detail-by-Agency.csv
Anonymous
03/05/2025 19:32
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Anonymous wrote:Two schools will lose Title I status for 2025-2026 school year. Four are expected to gain the designation.
Fed guidelines: schools can qualify for Title I programs if 40% or more of its students are eligible for free meals. "However, even if schools reach the 40% threshold, it doesn’t automatically mean it will be designated a Title I school, due to limited federal funding."
https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/03/05/mcps-schools-title-i
Realistically, will Title I continue under Trump? I think he will defund Title III (currently supports English Learners) for sure.
Anonymous
03/05/2025 11:10
Subject: Schools losing and gaining Title 1 status
Two schools will lose Title I status for 2025-2026 school year. Four are expected to gain the designation.
Fed guidelines: schools can qualify for Title I programs if 40% or more of its students are eligible for free meals. "However, even if schools reach the 40% threshold, it doesn’t automatically mean it will be designated a Title I school, due to limited federal funding."
https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/03/05/mcps-schools-title-i
Fed guidelines: schools can qualify for Title I programs if 40% or more of its students are eligible for free meals. "However, even if schools reach the 40% threshold, it doesn’t automatically mean it will be designated a Title I school, due to limited federal funding."
https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/03/05/mcps-schools-title-i