Title I: An Introduction
Fall 2010

What is Title I?

Title I, Part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act is one of the nation’s oldest and largest federally funded education programs.

The program provides additional funds to local school districts to assist low achieving students in high poverty schools.  Funds are used to help these students to meet the states challenging academic standards. 

Title I has three primary objectives: 
to improve student achievement for all participating children
to improve staff development
and to improve parental and community involvement.

For the 2010-2011 school year, Title I district allocations in Massachusetts totaled 217 million dollars.  The district allocations range from $403 for a small charter school to $45 million for Boston. The median is $136,000. Ninety-three percent of all school districts in Massachusetts currently receive Title I funds.


What does Title I do for students?

Title I serves children in elementary and secondary schools who have demonstrated that extra assistance is needed.  Title I also serves children who attend parochial and private schools.  The Title I program provides students with extra educational assistance beyond the regular classroom.  Students do not have to be from low-income families to receive Title I services.


How do schools in Massachusetts receive Title I funds?

First, the federal government provides funding to the state based on census data estimates.  

Then, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education allocates the funds to school districts. Since census data are not available for charter schools and regional vocational schools, the Department adjusts district allocations accordingly.

Districts apply for the funds by submitting an application to the Department detailing proposed activities. In general, schools with a sufficiently high percentage of economically disadvantaged students qualify for Title I funds. 

Districts must allocate funds to participating schools, in rank order, based on the percentage of children from low-income families in each school.

In general, Title I regulations require school districts to provide services to all schools where at least three quarters of the students qualify for free or reduced price meals.

How can schools and districts use Title I funds?

Title I funds are used to provide services that are supplemental or, in addition to, services normally provided by the school district for participating children. 

To ensure that funds made available under Title I are used to provide services that are in addition to the regular services normally provided by a school district for participating children, the district must use these funds to supplement, not supplant or take the place of regular non-Federal funds. 

Schools and districts have several options for using Title I funds to address the needs of students.  

Schools can use Title I funds for additional instructional programs which may be in class or outside of class. Title I funds can be used for extended day or year services, prekindergarten, summer programs, online learning, take home resources, and tutoring.

Schools can also use Title I funds for supporting programs such as professional development, parent involvement, materials and supplies, and technology.

Funds can also be reserved at the district level to cover related district wide costs such as administration and professional development.

What are the two types of Title I programs?

Districts can fund two types of Title I programs in their schools: a schoolwide program and/or a Targeted Assistance program. There are similarities and differences between the two.

A Schoolwide program serves all children in a school.  All staff, resources, and classes are part of the overall Schoolwide program.  The school’s poverty level must be at least 40% to be eligible for a Schoolwide program.  

A Targeted Assistance program is one in which individual students in a school are targeted to receive Title I services based upon multiple criteria. 

More than half of the 1800 schools in Massachusetts receive Title I funds. In the 2009-2010 school year, Massachusetts’ districts had about a quarter of its schools with Schoolwide programs and about a quarter with Targeted Assistance programs. 

How are parents included in Title I programs?

Involving parents, guardians and families as full partners in the education of their children is an important part of Title I. 

Schools receiving Title I funds are required to involve parents in the planning, implementation, and review of Title I programs.  

Where can I get more information about Title I?

For additional episodes as well as information and technical assistance on the many facets of the Title I program, please visit our website at the address shown: 

http://www.doe.mass.edu/titlei/ 

Or contact the Title I office by phone or email.

Title I phone line: 781-338-6230
Title I email: title1@doe.mass.edu