Title I is the federal program that provides funding to local school districts to improve the academic achievement of struggling students. It is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, passed in 1965. School districts do not have to apply for Title I funding as they would have to for a competitive grant; the State allocates funds to schools that qualify. The District must submit to the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED) a plan reflecting how it will use the funds to improve achievement. Once approved, NHED releases the funds and monitors the program.
There are two models of programs to support Title I – the Targeted Assistance model and the Schoolwide model. Both Hanover Street School and Mount Lebanon Elementary School are Targeted Assistance Schools. Our Title 1 program serves students in grades 1-4.
Schools operating targeted assistance programs may only use Title I funds to provide services to children who are identified as having the greatest need for educational assistance - that is, children who are failing or at risk of failing to meet standards. These services are available to all students identified according to the criteria, including children identified as having a disabling condition, children who are experiencing homelessness, children who are recent migrants, and children with limited English proficiency. Title I funds are supplemental to services that would otherwise be provided and are used to support only the intended beneficiaries under Title 1 guidelines.
