Title I, Part A is a federal program that provides financial assistance to local school systems and schools with high percentages of poor children to support the academic achievement of disadvantaged students.  All twenty-four local school systems in Maryland receive Title I funds which are distributed to high poverty schools within their districts so the schools can provide additional academic support and learning opportunities to help low-achieving children master challenging curricula and meet state standards in core academic subjects.  Title I funds support extra instruction in reading and mathematics, additional teachers, materials of instruction, as well as after-school and summer programs to extend and reinforce the regular school curriculum.  There are currently 366 Title I schools in Maryland.

There are two types of Title I programs: Targeted Assistance Programs and Schoolwide Programs

Targeted Assistance Programs:

§       Schools participating in targeted-assistance programs must have at least 35 percent of their population eligible for Free and/or Reduced Meals (FARMS).

§       Title I funds may only be used to provide services to children who are identified as having the greatest need for educational assistance, (children who are failing or at risk of failing to meet standards).

§       Children with disabilities, children who are homeless, children who are neglected or delinquent, and children with limited English proficiency, may be eligible to receive Title I services.

§       All newly designated Title I schools must begin as Targeted Assistance schools.

§       There are currently 53 Title I Targeted Assistance schools in Maryland.

Schoolwide Programs: 

§       Schools may be designated as schoolwide when at least 40 percent of the students are eligible for Free and/or Reduced Meals (FARMS). 

§       Title I funds may be used to upgrade the entire school’s educational program so that the overall education of ALL children who attend the school can be improved.  

§       All children, including those with disabilities and children with limited English proficiency, are eligible to receive Title I services.

§       There are currently 313 Schoolwide Program schools in Maryland.