Federal Programs

Title I was established by the United States Department of Education to provide extra resources to schools and school districts with the highest concentration of poverty. The federally funded educational program was reauthorized under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. NCLB stresses accountability for student academic achievement, utilization of practices that have been shown to work through scientific research, increased flexibility and local control, and expanded options for parents (school choice and supplemental services). Title I reaches about 12.5 million students enrolled in both public and private schools. Students performing below standard receive differentiated instruction by highly qualified intervention specialists in addition to classroom instruction. Curricular coordination occurs between the intervention specialist and the classroom teacher. Data-driven dialogue supports collaboration and monitors student progress. Title I, as the cornerstone of NCLB, is intended to ensure that all children, whatever their backgrounds and whatever schools they attend, can acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.