What is Title I?
Title I is the largest federal aid program for our nation’s schools.

How long have schools been given Title I funds?
Title I began in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his “War on Poverty”

What is the purpose of Title I?
Title I money was given to districts to help students in schools affected by poverty. It was intended to help close the achievement gap between schools in affluent neighborhood and schools from poor communities.

What does Title I money do for a school?
Title I money can be used in two different ways in a school. In one program, called a Targeted Assisted Program, the money is used to provide support for students targeted as low performing in reading or math. Another type of Title I program is called a Schoolwide Program. In a schoolwide program, Title I money is used to benefit all of the children in a school. A schoolwide program is guided by the schoolwide program plan and a school leadership team. Title I money is typically used to provide extra staff, materials or professional development for these schools. The program specifically supports reading and math.

How might Title I help my child?
A child attending a Title I school may receive assistance in reading or math from a Title I teacher or assistant. A Title I Assistant is often called a paraprofessional. Paraprofessionals often work in class with teachers and assist teachers with instruction. They might work with small groups of students or one on one with a student. Title I teachers often collaborate with classroom teachers or provide individual or small group instruction for students who are not meeting grade level benchmarks. The Title I program works closely with the classroom teacher and other programs in a school to help all children be successful in reading/language arts and math. Students also benefit from training teachers and intructional assistants receive.

How is a school eligible to receive Title I money?
The federal government measures a schools poverty level by the number of students receiving free or reduced lunch. In the Eugene 4J School District, a school who has more than 40% of the student population on free or reduced lunch qualifies to have a Title I program.

How is a child eligible for Title I services?
All children attending a Title I school operating as a schoolwide program are eligible to receive services from Title I. Thus, in a schoolwide program, all students are Title I students and all teachers are Title I teachers. How Title I resources and staff are used in a schoolwide program is decided by the school leadership team and guided by the schoolwide program plan.