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Pre-Kindergarten Eligibility Criteria
This criteria determines eligibility into the pre-kindergarten program for the 2007-2008.
All programs are designed to serve “at risk” students.
Title I Funded Pre-K Sites
Preference is given to students who score in the red and yellow areas of the FirstStep
screening instrument.
Preference is given to students who are zoned for a Title I school, especially to
a school that is identified as “on notice”. “On notice” schools were identified
by the Tennessee State Department of Education as schools that have not made significant
gains on standardized test scores. (Section 1115(b), ESEA)
Preference is given to students who meet 2006-2007 federal income guidelines for
free and reduced lunch. In addition, children who participate in Head Start preschool
programs, homeless children, and children in institutions for neglected or delinquent
children are eligible for Title I preschool (Section 1115(b)(2), ESEA). Information
must be documented.
In all Title I preschool programs, students MUST be zoned for a Title I school.
Head Start/Title I Sites
Students must be income eligible first, then zoned for the school, and meet other
Head Start criteria.
State/Pilot Funded Sites
Target first those children who are considered to be at risk, with family income
that qualifies the child for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program being the first
at-risk factor for consideration.
Students must be zoned for a Hamilton County school (ANY Hamilton County School).
Other considerations can be children who are in state custody, ELL, and students
who may have other at-risk factors if there are not enough students who meet the
first criteria.
