What is Title I?

Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (formerly known as ECIA, ESEA or Chapter 1) is the largest federally funded educational program. This program, authorized by Congress, provides supplemental funds to school districts to assist schools with the highest student concentrations of poverty to meet school educational goals.

How do schools qualify to receive Title I funds?

Schools qualify based on demonstrating that the K-12, ages 5-17, membership has a sufficiently high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Title I regulations require school districts to provide services to all schools where at least 40% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

How are schools allocated Title I funds?

Once a school qualifies for school-wide Title I, funds are then allocated in the spring based on a formula developed at the district office that projects the number of qualifying children at the school for the following year. Occasionally, a further adjustment is made after the first month of school the year funds are allocated, to ensure that schools receive funds commensurate with the number of qualifying children actually enrolled.

How can Title I funds be used at the school site?

Title I funds must be used to promote:

1. High academic/achievement for all children;
2. A greater focus on teaching and learning;
3. Flexibility to stimulate local initiatives coupled with responsibility for student performance;
4. Improved linkages among schools, parents and communities.

In general, funds cannot be used to purchase/lease/rent or improve facilities or provide routine transportation costs for the transport of students to and from school or supplant funds the school is already entitled to from other sources.