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Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies

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About Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies

Title I, Part A provides financial assistance through state educational agencies to school divisions and public schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic content and achievement standards.

School divisions target the Title I funds they receive to public schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families. Unless a participating school is operating a schoolwide program, the school must focus Title I services on children who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet state academic standards. Schools enrolling at least 40 percent of students from low-income families, or schools who have received a schoolwide eligibility waiver, are eligible to use Title I funds for schoolwide programs that are designed to upgrade their entire educational programs for all students, particularly the lowest-achieving students.

Guidelines & Procedures

Schools: Identification and Service Delivery Models

Homeless Students

Foster Care Provisions under ESSA

Properly Licensed and Endorsed Teachers and Qualified Paraprofessionals  

Under ESSA and §22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia, students must still be taught by teachers who are properly licensed and endorsed for the classes they are assigned to teach. 

  • In a schoolwide school, this includes all teachers and personnel required to hold a teaching license in the grades and subjects they teach.
  • A teacher with a provisional license in the subject they teach is considered properly licensed.
  • This requirement does not include school counselors, speech/language pathologists, or administrators; however, all licensing requirements in a Title I school are encouraged.
  • In a targeted assistance school, any teacher paid with Title I funds must be properly licensed and endorsed for the grades and subjects they teach.

Paraprofessionals providing instructional support in programs supported with Title I, Part A funds also must meet federal highly qualified standards.

All Title I paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.  Additionally, paraprofessionals have the following three options to meet the designation of highly qualified:

  • Complete two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
  • Obtain an associate’s (or higher) degree; or
  • Meet a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing, readiness, and mathematics readiness).
  • All instructional paraprofessionals, including special education paraprofessionals in a schoolwide school must be qualified.
  • Any paraprofessional in a targeted assistance program funded by Title I must be qualified.

Parent and Family Engagement

Parental Notification Letters on Teacher Qualifications

Parental Notification of Assessment Opt Out Policies under ESSA

Parental Notification for Parents of ELs

School divisions are required to inform parents annually regarding their child's placement in a language instruction education program within 30 days after the beginning of the school year, or within two weeks of the child's placement within a program.

Verifying Title I Time and Effort

Forms

Federal Guidance

Fiscal Guidance

Federal Budget Information

Title I, Part A Canvas Site

The Title I, Part A Canvas Site is a resource available to Title I, Part A coordinators and private schools with students eligible who receive Title I, Part A services.  This site contains information to assist the management of a Title I, Part A program.  Please contact the Title I staff listed below with questions.

2026 Title I, Part A Application

Each school division is required to complete a Title I, Part A application to request funding to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.

A Proportionate Share Calculator is a tool that can be used to determine the Title I proportionate share for equitable services for private schools.  

Title I, Part A Bypass Application

Title I, Part A school divisions that participated in Title I Bypass, in which equitable services to private schools was provided by a third party provider received additional funding from the United States Department of Education. Bypass school divisions must complete the Title I, Part A Bypass Application to identify how they will use the additional funding to provide equitable services to private schools. Participating school divisions have been notified.

Division Allocations

Division program coordinators should contact their program specialist for information about the application for federal funds.

2026-2027

Preliminary Allocations -March 19, 2026

2025-2026

Revised Allocations - February 2026

Allocations - October 2025

Preliminary Allocations - May 15, 2025

2024-2025

Revised Allocations

Revised Allocations - December 2025
Revised Final Allocations - October 2024

Allocations - September 2024

Preliminary Allocations

Preliminary Allocations - April 11, 2024

Equitable Services to Private School Students

Under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) (see Appendix A), local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to provide services for eligible private school students as well as eligible public school students.
See: Title VIII: General Provisions (and information regarding Section 1120 of Title I, Part A)

Virginia Title I School Listings

Virginia Title I Coordinators

List of Division Title I Coordinators (PDF)

Virginia Department of Education Title I Staff & Assignments

List of Title I Staff by Regions - Updated July 2025(Word)