Why are Title I funds allocated exclusively to high poverty schools?
Research studies done over the past 30 years show conclusively that schools with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students generally demonstrate lower levels of achievement than do schools with lower concentrations of economically disadvantaged students. As a result, Congress, in the reauthorization of Title I under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, now requires districts to allocate Title I funds to those schools with the highest concentrations of such students, particularly to those schools falling above 75%. Districts may extend Title I benefits to schools lower than 75%, yet not below the district average percentage of free/reduced price meals. Currently, in Alachua, Title I benefits are extended to schools down to 35%.
Related Questions
- Do paraprofessionals in school wide schools or non-school wide schools have to be HQ if they are not paid with Title I, Title V, or Title VI funds?
- If a district targets Title I funds to only elementary schools, must the middle/high schools make AYP?
- Can funds be allocated to schools below the district level of poverty?