Title I is the largest federally funded educational program. The program provides supplemental funds to school districts to assist schools with the highest student concentrations of poverty to meet school educational goals. A Title I school is a school receiving federal funds for Title I students.

The basic principle of Title I is that schools with large concentrations of low-income students will receive supplemental funds to assist in meeting student’s educational goals. The number of low-income students is determined by the number of students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. Title I funds can be used to improve curriculum, instructional activities, counseling, parental involvement, and increase staff and program improvement. The funding assists schools in meeting the educational goals of low-income students.

The types of students served by Title I funds include migrant students, students with limited English proficiency, homeless students, students with disabilities, neglected students, delinquent students, at-risk students or any student in need. Schools must make adequate yearly progress on state testing and focus on best teaching practices in order to continue receiving funds.