Title I is one of the nation's oldest and largest federal programs supporting elementary and secondary education. More than 90 percent of the school systems in the United States receive some sort of Title I funding.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan formed the Education Consolidation Improvement Act, Chapter I Basic (ECIA).

In 1988, the ECIA, Chapter I Basic program became the Hawkins-Stafford Elementary and Secondary School Improvement Act of 1988.

In 1994, Congress passed a series of educational legislation, submitted by President Bill Clinton, strengthening the parent-school community partnerships.

On July 1, 1995, after reauthorization, the program is now Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

On December 2001, President Bush signed into law the "No Child Left Behind Act".

The Title I law requires the meaningful involvement of parents in school level planning, development and design of initiatives to improve student achievement supported by Title I funds.

The purpose of Title I is to assist schools in improving student achievement, staff development and parental involvement. All public schools receiving Title I funds are district schools operating as Schoolwide Programs. Schools utilize Title I funds to enhance the regular district instructional program. Schools use funds to:

• add highly qualified staff,

• support parent and community involvement efforts,

• improve staff development,

• purchase additional instructional materials and supplies,

• add technology and needed equipment.

The Title I program for parents is designed to:

• inform parents about Title I regulations

• involve parents in local Title I decisions

• provide literacy training 

• offer parents training in schools and in the community on ways to work with their children at home to raise student achievement

• encourage active participation in their children's schools and education

 All Title I schools to develop jointly, with parents of participating children, a parent-student-teacher compact (written agreement) that states what parents, students and the school will do together to raise student achievement.

Schools must sponsor an annual meeting for all Title I parents and involve parents in an "organized, ongoing and timely way" in the planning, review and improvement of Title I schools.

Each Title I school utilize a percentage of its Title I allocation to support a comprehensive parental involvement program.

"Collaborating for Success" - Parent Engagement Toolkit

This is a resource put out by the Michigan Department of Education to help parents understand what Title I is and how it applies to their children's education.