Title I is a federal education program that provides additional resources to schools with economically disadvantaged students. The program aims to improve the academic achievement of disadvantaged students by providing additional teachers, professional development, extra time for teaching, parent involvement activities, and other activities designed to raise student achievement. There are two models used in Title I schools to provide these services: schoolwide reform models, which provide all students with access to services, and targeted assistance models, which provide services to select students in Title I schools.

Schools are eligible for School-Wide Title I funds if not less than 40% of the students are from low-income families. School-Wide Title I funds may be used for services that benefit all children enrolled. Targeted Assistance funds may be used only to provide academic services to specific students that qualify for those funds. All children in Title I schools benefit from the additional teachers and assistants, and because there are more adults to help children, all children receive more individualized and small group instruction. The goal of Title I services is to accelerate academic achievement so that all children meet or exceed state and federal standards of performance.

Under Title I regulations, all schools receiving Title I funds have developed a compact, an agreement between the school and the parents, to increase the involvement of parents in a child’s education. The compact is designed to help parents and teachers work together to provide the best possible education for each student. Parents have opportunities each fall to provide input.

In summary, a Title I school is a school that receives additional resources from the federal government to improve the academic achievement of disadvantaged students. These resources provide additional teachers, professional development, extra time for teaching, parent involvement activities, and other activities designed to raise student achievement. All children in Title I schools benefit from the additional teachers and assistants, and the goal of Title I services is to accelerate academic achievement so that all children meet or exceed state and federal standards of performance.