What is Title I?

Title I is a federal aid program for schools. The goal of Title I is to ensure a high-quality education for every child, by providing extra help to students who need it most. Title I has three primary objectives:

• to improve student achievement for all participating children
• to improve staff development
• to improve parental and community involvement

Title I is different from Special Education programs. Title I does not address student needs based on disability or special needs, but rather on the basis of student performance, achievement and progress. You can read a parent tip sheet describing Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, here Title I, IDEA and 504.

How is Title I Funded?

Title I funds are distributed to districts and individual schools based on the number of low-income families served. However, once a school qualifies for Title I funds, academic need, not economic status, determines which students receive extra services. Title I funds are intended to supplement (add to), not replace, state and federal funds.

For more information on Title I please visit the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website or the U.S. Department of Education.

What does Title I fund in the Northampton Public Schools?

Title I funds mainly fund reading teacher and reading coach salaries and benefits. Additional funding has been allocated to literacy materials for student use at the elementary schools and middle school. With reading teachers in each of our schools, the district is able to provide tiered literacy intervention to any student who demonstrates a need,and who is not already receiving additional reading services, with supplemental lessons in one or more literacy skill areas outlined in the 5 pillars of early literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.