Title I, Part A, the cornerstone of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, is the largest federal education program. Its intent is to help ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach proficiency in challenging State academic content and performance standards.

Title I began with the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, which provided federal funding for high-poverty schools to help students who are behind academically and at risk of falling behind. Services can include hiring teachers and paraprofessionals, tutoring, purchasing instructional equipment, materials and supplies, parent and family engagement opportunities, professional development, and pre-kindergarten programs.

Title I Schools

Schools considered Title I are those in which the identified student percentage (students directly certified) is at least 75% based on Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) guidelines. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) replaced Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) as the district's measure of poverty in 2015.

All CMS Title I schools operate under a schoolwide program model. These programs have flexibility in using their Title I funds, in conjunction with other funds in the school, to upgrade the operation of the entire school. Schoolwide programs must conduct a comprehensive needs assessment, identify and commit to specific goals and strategies that address those needs, create a comprehensive plan, and conduct an annual review of the effectiveness of the schoolwide program.

What Your Child Would Learn

• Elementary School Curriculum Information 
• Middle and High School Curriculum Information 

Schoolwide Programs

• Plan for comprehensive, long-term improvement
• Serve all students with high-quality teachers and paraprofessionals
• Provide continuous learning for staff, parents, and the community
• Use evidence-based practices to develop and implement enriched instruction for all students
• Use inclusive approaches to strengthen the school's organizational structure
• Coordinate resources to achieve program goals
• Engage in continuous self-assessment and improvement

The Ten Required Components of a Title I School

1. Schools must complete a comprehensive needs assessment that drives all aspects of school operations.
2. School reform strategies must be implemented to address the identified needs.
3. All instructional staff, including paraprofessionals, must be of high quality as defined by state licensing standards in the NC ESSA Accountability Plan.
4. There must be high-quality and ongoing professional development for staff to address the school's needs.
5. There must be strategies to recruit high-quality teachers and place them in areas of greatest need.
6. Parent and family engagement is a critical and integral part of day-to-day operations in a Title I school.
7. Strategies are in place to aid in the transitions between academic grade levels and school levels, i.e., preschool to kindergarten, elementary to middle school, and middle school to high school.
8. Teachers are actively involved in the use of assessments, and instructional decisions are driven by data analysis.
9. Schools develop specific instructional activities for students identified with the greatest needs.
10. Schools coordinate and integrate resources and services from federal, state, and local sources.