PCSD expands Title I reach, lowering eligibility thresholds to serve more students of poverty

Deputy Superintendent Emily Baker told the South Carolina Public Charter School District board on Aug. 14 that PCSD is changing its Title I methodology for fiscal year 2026 to reach more students in poverty while using the district’s existing federal allocation.

Under the revised approach, PCSD will serve schools that have 40% or higher poverty through a schoolwide Title I program and add schools with 35–39% poverty under a targeted assistance model. Baker said that change increases the number of Title I schools in the district from 18 last year to 36 this year. She emphasized, "It is the same pot" — the district’s federal Title I allocation has not increased; the methodology rebalances distribution to reach more students.

Staff noted the federal programs team is small — three programmatic staff members — and that the change affects per‑pupil distributions. The presentation referenced a new per‑pupil figure for identified Title I funds; staff offered to provide exact student counts and per‑student calculations to trustees on request. Members asked whether migrant populations or other Title I subprograms (Title I‑C) were addressed; staff said the migrant program was identified but that the district does not receive migrant funds.

Baker and other staff framed the change as an attempt to allow dollars to follow students eligible under federal rules and to provide targeted supports while acknowledging the finite federal allocation and the need to preserve compliance with allowable uses. Trustees approved related items on the consent agenda.