The below information provided refers to Title I and the appropriate use of Title I funds. For additional information, or if you have questions about Title I schools and the use of these funds, please contact (202) 442-6025 or [email protected].
Title I is the largest source of federal funding for education. Schools receive Title I funds as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Title I funds are used solely to help ensure that children, regardless of family income, can acquire an equitable and quality education that will allow students to become academically proficient.
Title I schoolwide programs:
- A DCPS school is eligible to become a Title I schoolwide program if the poverty rate of the school is 35% or more. Eligible schools are permitted to use Title I, Part A funds in a combination with state and local resources and other federal education program funds to enhance the education program of the school and raise the academic achievement of all students.
Schools with less than 35% poverty rate are considered Non-Title I.
Current Schools
For school year 2023-2024, DCPS has 88 Title I Schools and 29 Non-Title I Schools. View the school designation list.
Use of Funds
Title I schools allocate 1% of the Title funding for parent and family engagement activities that strengthen the collaborative relationship between the school and the families.
DCPS is also required to reserve a necessary and reasonable portion of Title I funds to provide comparable Title I services to homeless children and to neglected and delinquent children. Additional information on homeless children and services can be found at dcps.dc.gov/fytp.
Title II Funds
Title II, Part A funds may be used to support professional development activities as defined ESSA. Funds may be used to provide follow-up training for teachers who have participated in professional development activities to ensure that the knowledge and skills learned by teachers are implemented in the classroom.
For Title I Schoolwide schools, Title II funds are consolidated with Title I and local funds to provide opportunities that will ensure teachers become highly effective instructional staff.
For Non-Title I schools, Title II funds are not consolidated with Title I and local funds to fund highly qualified instructional teachers and must be used to support professional development. Professional development goals are outlined in each school’s comprehensive school plan.
The Monitoring and Support Team works with schools to ensure federal grant compliance. The team distributes information to the schools, such as the DCPS Parental Right to Know Guide for families and collects required documentation throughout the academic year.
Equitable Services
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by ESSA, mandates that that LEAs provide equitable instructional and parental services to District of Columbia resident students who attend private schools.
The Monitoring and Program Support team renders equitable services to eligible students, families and teachers through allocated federal funds. By working with school administrators, parents, and service providers, the team is able to implement, design, provide technical assistance and equipment[PDF], and oversee fiduciary responsibility as outlined in the law. A list of the current school year’s participating non-public schools is available here.