Title I - Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards
Program purpose authorization
Title I, formerly known as Chapter 1, is part of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, and is the foundation of the federal
commitment to closing the achievement gap between low-income and other
students. Nearly 14,000 of the 15,000 school districts in the nation
conduct Title I programs. The original purpose of Title I was additional
resources to states and localities for remedial education for children
in poverty. The 1994 reauthorization of Title I shifted the program's
emphasis from remedial education to helping all disadvantaged children
reach rigorous state academic standards expected of all children. Title I
funds can be used for instructional activities, counseling, parental
involvement, and program improvement. In return, school districts and
states must meet accountability requirements for raising student
performance.
General Questions and Answers
How does my state and school district receive Title I dollars?
Title I funds flow to states and school districts on a formula basis.
The formula takes into account the number of low-income children and the
statewide average per pupil expenditures. Resources within the state
are targeted to the districts and schools with the greatest need.
What services does Title I provide?
Title I funds generally are used to improve academic achievement in
reading and math, but the resources can be used to help students improve
their achievement in all of the core academic subjects. Title I funds
are flexible, and can be used to provide professional development for
teachers; support hiring additional teachers and classroom aides;
improve curriculum; enhance parent involvement; extend learning time for
students who need extra help; and provide other activities that are
tied to raising student achievement.
What does the term "Title I schoolwide program" mean?
A school that receives Title I dollars and that has a student enrollment
in which more than half of the students are low-income is eligible to
operate a "schoolwide program." A schoolwide program requires a plan to
improve academic achievement of all students in the school using Title I
dollars on all of the students.
Information provided by The National Association for the Education of Young Children http://www.naeyc.org/