About DNPS

The New York City Department of Education’s (NYCDOE) Division of Nonpublic Schools (DNPS) is responsible for implementing Title I.  Title I is a federally funded program that provides supplemental educational services for eligible nonpublic school students.  Federal funds are provided for the improvement of teaching and learning to enable students to meet New York State content and performance standards and achieve academic success.

The NYCDOE is the Local Education Agency responsible for Title I programs in schools in New York City.  The DNPS has the oversight for the administration of equitable services to eligible private school students under programs supported by Title I.

Title I and 21st Century Partners in Learning

DNPS Title I services include: Reading and Writing, Mathematics, English as a Second Language, and Student Support Services for participating students in grades ranging from K – 12.

A few years ago, DNPS introduced the Title I ARRA – 21^st Century Partners in Learning as an enhanced approach to raising student achievement through an engaging 1:1 learning opportunity that supplements Title I student instruction.

The Division of Nonpublic Schools (DNPS) is proud that we developed this innovative initiative with the Standing Committee of Nonpublic School Officials and achieved consensus in its implementation.  The Standing Committee is comprised of nonpublic school representatives from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, the Jewish Day Schools, the Islamic Schools Association, the Lutheran Schools Association, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, other Christian denominations, and independent schools.

In utilizing Title I ARRA funds in this unprecedented way, this initiative offers all involved a unique opportunity to leverage the funding into one project that serves to support all Title I participating students in meeting New York State Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS).  Also, the utilization of the laptops and educational software afforded by this initiative will continue to have a positive impact on student achievement well beyond the expiration of the stimulus dollars.

We are sustaining the investment by offering online learning opportunities for our students and teachers through a learning management system.  From one website, Title I teachers and students will be able to access the best educational resources available.  For our students who receive Title I services during the day,  they will be using our BLS (Blended Learning System).  The BLS is an online learning system that will assess, monitor, and support students in order to ensure they are always performing at or above grade level. Your child will work with teachers in their school to access these systems and use it in a way that addresses your child’s unique academic needs. The BLS will provide important information on your child’s progress that can be used to support them in the classroom and at home. This information is directly aligned to the Common Core Standard Initiative.

We have just started a pilot program, the VLS (Virtual Learning System) which provides similar educational resources as the BLS to students where we don’t have Title I teacher presence at the school.  Students using the VLS will be assisted by teachers from their nonpublic school as they use these services outside of the school day.

Benefits to Online Learning Systems

For students:

• more interactive activities
• higher level of engagement
• take more control over their own learning
• have easier access

Teaching & Learning benefits:

• The computer provides the ability for the student to proceed at his or her own pace
• Several programs assess the student’s ability and put them on an appropriate level (leveling up when they master skills, ideas, and concepts)
• The Title I teacher can intervene to provide additional instruction, and can assign specific skills that he or she has identified as being needed for the student.