What is Title I?

Title I is a set of programs established by the U.S. Department of Education to distribute funding to schools and school districts with a high percentage of students from low-income families. It also helps children from families that have migrated to the United States, youth from intervention programs who have been neglected or are at risk of abuse. The act appropriates money for education purposes for the next five fiscal years. Title I also appropriates money for dropout prevention and improvements to the school.

To qualify for Title I, a school has about 40% or more of its students coming from families who qualify under the U.S. Census's definitions as low income. Title I states that it gives priority to schools that are in obvious need of funds, low-achieving schools and schools that demonstrate a commitment to improving their education standards and test scores.