ESEA/Title Programs

Title I is designed to help students served by the program achieve proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards. Title I provides support to schools that implement either a “schoolwide program” or a “targeted assistance program.” Title I schools with percentages of students from low-income families of at least 40 percent may use Title I funds, along with other federal, state, and local funds, to operate a schoolwide program to upgrade the instructional program for the whole school. Title I schools with less than the 40 percent schoolwide threshold or that choose not to operate a schoolwide program may offer a targeted assistance program in which the school identifies students who are failing or who are most at risk of failing to meet the state's challenging academic achievement standards. Targeted assistance schools design, in consultation with parents, staff, and district staff, an instructional program to meet the needs of those students. Both schoolwide and targeted assistance programs must use instructional strategies based on scientifically based research and implement parental involvement activities.

LEAs must also use Title I funds to provide academic enrichment services to eligible children enrolled in nonpublic schools Title I requires LEAs to provide services for eligible nonpublic school students as well as eligible public school students. In particular, section 1120 of Title I, Part A of the ESEA requires a participating LEA to provide eligible children attending nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, their teachers, and their families with Title I services or other benefits that are equitable to those provided to eligible public school children, their teachers, and their families. These services must be developed in consultation with officials of the nonpublic schools. The Title I services provided by the LEA for nonpublic private school participants are designed to meet their educational needs and supplement the educational services. See the U.S. Department of Education Office of Non-Public Education website for additional information on services that are available for eligible nonpublic school children.

Title I, Part A provides supplemental services for children from preschool through grade 12 who are at risk of not meeting the Illinois Learning Standards. Funds support instruction in an expanded list of core subjects. Title I, Part A may also support parent involvement​ and professional development activities. Funds are used for a variety of expenditures, including instructional salaries, supplies, and materials; consultant fees; equipment; and other services in support of supplemental programs to support high-quality education and other activities to close the achievement gap.​​

An LEA may consolidate and use funds under Title I, Part A, together with other federal, state, and local funds, in order to upgrade the entire educational program of a school that serves an eligible school attendance area in which not less than 40 percent of the children are from low-income families or not less than 40 percent of the children enrolled in the school are from such families.

Title I funds provide additional academic support and learning opportunities to help low-achieving children master challenging curricula and meet state standards in core academic subjects. Funds may be used to support extra instruction in reading and mathematics, as well as special preschool, after-school, and summer programs, to extend and reinforce the regular school curriculum.

The Stevens Amendment, named after its author, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), requires that Federal financial support be clearly acknowledged by the grantee when programs or projects are funded in whole or in part with Federal grant money. (See Public Law 100-463, Section 8136.):

When issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees receiving Federal funds, including but not limited to State and local governments, shall clearly state (1) the percentage of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with Federal money, (2) the dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or program, and (3) percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by nongovernmental sources.

In compliance with the Stevens Amendment, District 44 states that the Federal government has given Title I, II, and IV  monies to the District to support its school programs.

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grant provides local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are LEAs:

• • Emergency relief funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus threat.

  • Equitable services to students and teachers in nonpublic schools as required under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

ESSER Funds can be utilized for:

1. Activities authorized in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins), and McKinney-Vento Act.

2. To address needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English Learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth. Funds can also be used for outreach and service delivery.

3. Providing:

   • Meals to eligible students.

   • Technology for online learning between all students and classroom teachers (including hardware, software, and connectivity).

   • Guidance for meeting the requirements under the IDEA and other educational services (e.g., educators providing services through digital or online platforms, counseling services, and guidance services consistent with federal, state, and local requirements).

   • Mental health services and supports.

   • Summer learning and supplemental after-school programs, including classroom instruction or online learning.

4. Addressing needs of individual schools resulting from the coronavirus and resultant school closures.

5. Efforts between districts and other partners to develop, prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.  

6. Professional development to minimize the spread of infectious diseases (e.g., sanitation training).  

7. Cleaning and sanitizing school and district buildings.

8. Other activities necessary to maintain the operation and continuity of services.