Federal Programs/Title I

Title I is one of the federal funding sources that complement the amount of money each state allots to education. There are also other "Title" monies, I-VII, aimed at assisting students with burdens that may prevent them from receiving an equitable education. Poverty, homelessness, living in state-run facilities, living in distant rural locations, and those still learning English are among the challenges. (Students with disabilities receive a separate funding stream.) 

Title I was established "to guarantee economically disadvantaged students get a fair, equitable, and high-quality education by aiding in the closing of academic performance disparities," according to the United States Department of Education. 

When discussing Title funding, one crucial word to remember is "supplement, not supplant." This means that states cannot utilize federal funds to substitute or replace local and state education spending. Moreover, Title funds are part of a larger collection of "entitlement programs" in which the federal government is required to provide payments to states or individuals who fulfill qualifying standards.