Title 1

Title I, Part A is intended to help ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach proficiency on challenging state and academic standards and assessments. The program focuses on promoting reform in high-poverty schools and ensures student access to scientifically-based instructional strategies and challenging academic content.

Title I funds may be used for a variety of services and activities, most commonly for instruction in reading and mathematics. The legislation encourages the use of strategies such as extended day (before- and after-school programs), extended school year, and summer school programs to increase learning time. Districts and schools may use Title I funds to serve students from preschool age through high school.

The term "targeted assistance" signifies that the services are provided to a select group of children-those identified as failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet the state's challenging content and student achievement standards, rather than for overall school improvement.

To accomplish this goal, a targeted assistance program must be based on:

• Improving achievement of participating children
• Using effective instructional strategies that give primary consideration to extended-time strategies
• Providing accelerated, high-quality intervention curriculum
• Minimize the removal of children from the regular classroom during regular school hours
• Coordinating with and supporting the general education population
• Providing instruction by highly-qualified and trained professional staff
• Implementing strategies to increase parent involvement