What is Title I?

Title I, part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind Act), is one of the nation's oldest and largest federal programs supporting elementary and secondary education. More than 90 percent of the school systems in the United States receive some sort of Title I funding.

The goal of Title I is to provide instructional services and activities which support students in meeting the state’s challenging performance standards. Title I is intended to help ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high quality of education and reach grade-level proficiency. The funds may help students who are behind academically or are at risk of falling behind. The Title I program will provide your child with extra educational assistance beyond the regular classroom.

Title I funds can be used to hire additional teachers to reduce class size, offer tutoring services, create and maintain computer labs, offer opportunities for parental involvement activities, plan professional development, purchase materials and supplies, support prekindergarten programs, and hire teacher assistants or other school personnel.


Title I is based on three important ideas:

• All students should have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and to reach, at minimum, proficiency on state academic standards and assessments.
• Local districts, schools, and parents know best what their students need to succeed. The Title I program allows them to decide how to use these funds to implement research-based proven practices to help students who are failing or who are at risk of failing in school.
• Parents are partners in helping all students achieve. They have the right to be involved in the design and operation of their school's Title I program, and, at the same time, a responsibility to help their children succeed in school.