Federal Grant Info: Title I

What is Title 1?

Title I is a federally funded program for schools to assist economically disadvantaged children. Since a high incidence of poverty in a school has a direct correlation with low academic student achievement, Title I funds are used to provide instruction to raise the achievement of students who are failing or are at-risk of failing to meet the challenging state standards. Title I funded personnel are personnel who directly contribute to the education of children.

What is the purpose of the Title I Program?

The purpose of Title I is to support school efforts to ensure that all children meet challenging academic standards and have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. This purpose can be accomplished by providing additional resources for high-poverty schools to enhance educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.

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 75% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

How are schools allocated Title I funds?

Once a school qualifies, 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 enrolled.

Title I Offers:

·         Smaller classes or special instructional spaces

·         Additional teachers and aides

·         Opportunities for professional development for school staff

·         Extra time for teaching Title I students the skills they need

·         A variety of supplementary teaching methods

·         An individualized program for students

·         Additional teaching materials that supplement their regular instruction