What’s Going On With Title I and the New Education Department Rule?

What are Title I funds?

Title I is a federal program that gives extra money to schools with a high percentage of low-income students (at least 40%). This money is meant to help those schools boost student learning, especially for kids who may face more challenges in getting a good education.

What did the Department of Education announce?

On March 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education told states they can use Title I money to give families more choices in how their kids are educated. This supports a January 2025 executive order from President Trump about expanding educational freedom.

What kind of choices are we talking about?

The federal law already lets states set aside up to 3% of their Title I funds to help local school districts offer “direct student services.” 

That means things like:

• Advanced or college-level classes
  
• Career and technical training
  
• Tutoring
  
• Personalized learning programs
  
• After-school or outside-the-classroom activities

What is required of schools?

School districts, also called “LEAs”, or local educational agencies, must:

• Let parents know what choices are available and give them time and info to decide
  
• Explain how they’ll pick the service providers (like community colleges, private schools, or local organizations)

Who controls the money?

Local school districts still control how Title I money is spent, not the state. But states can suggest priorities—like encouraging schools that offer parents more options. Title I schools might get extra attention or priority when government money or contracts are being handed out.