Budgeting Strategies for Leaders: What Literacy Initiatives Can I Use Title I Funds to Support?

For pre-K–12 leaders whose schools and districts are eligible for Title I support, the long-standing federal program can be a lifeline in an ever-changing funding environment.

Over 60% of all traditional U.S. public and charter schools are eligible for Title I funding. These schools are eligible for schoolwide program funding if at least 40% of their students are classified as low income.

While Title I allocations vary by state, this multibillion-dollar grant program is worthy of a second look from leaders uncertain about their budgets, particularly those who wonder how they’ll afford supplemental and intervention programs to improve literacy.

“I use Lexia Core5 with my Title l reading groups weekly. This is in addition to time they spend in their classrooms. I have seen an increase of skills in all of my students since the beginning of the school year.” 
—Kelly Gonzalez, Teacher, Sierra Vista Elementary, Colorado

Many school leaders underestimate the flexibility they have with Title I funding and its potential uses. It’s possible for districts to legally “braid” funding streams without violating rules requiring federal money “to supplement, rather than supplant, local education spending.”

Unsure about how to fund literacy support programs like Lexia?

First it’s helpful to remember that districts with a high percentage of low-income families generally receive a larger allotment of Title I funding. These are typically schools with a higher proportion of students of color, multilingual learners, and other marginalized populations.

This blog post provides school and district administrators with easy-to-follow steps to find eligible Title I funding for vital supplemental literacy programs built on the science of reading. The resources can fund individually targeted or schoolwide literacy initiatives, enabling schools to meet the needs of students from all backgrounds, as well as the teachers who support them.

Closing Achievement Gaps: Why Leaders Need to Be Acquainted With Title I, Part A

Title I, Part A is one of the most significant federal programs in the United States to improve education for all students, particularly those from low-income families. It helps ensure all children have a more equitable and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.

This means there may be financial assistance eligible for closing achievement gaps. Title I, Part A requirements allow eligible schools to fund supplemental core curricula in two distinct ways: targeted assistance and schoolwide programs.

Targeted Assistance

For targeted assistance, funds must specifically support students at risk of not meeting academic standards. This targeted approach ensures the funds get directed to where they are needed most, including specific instruction for students struggling to read proficiently.

Schoolwide Programs

Schools with poverty rates of at least 40% often implement a schoolwide program using Title I funds to benefit all students in that school. This model allows for greater flexibility in addressing the needs of the entire student body because the overall quality of the school's educational program will elevate outcomes for all students, including those most in need.

Schools or districts may consolidate (or braid) different “pots” of funding sources. But leaders may shy away from using the funds instead of strategically examining, “How can we optimally use these funds to meet the unique needs of students?”

Supplement Core Literacy Instruction

Whether used schoolwide in eligible schools or for targeted assistance, Title I funds can support supplemental literacy instruction because the instruction is essential to student achievement.

For most districts, it is difficult to differentiate instruction to meet the wide range of abilities in today’s classrooms. Using supplemental programs based on the science of reading can help educators create personalized learning paths that guide differentiated instruction, minimize preparation time, and maximize instructional time with students. This leads to better overall outcomes because school leaders can provide an enriched and accelerated learning program.

For instance, Adaptive Blended Learning programs such as Lexia® Core5® Reading and Lexia® PowerUp Literacy® help supplement the K–12 core reading curriculum with personalized, explicit, and systematic learning in six critical areas of reading instruction. The embedded Assessment Without Testing® technology automatically adjusts to meet students where they are and provides educators immediate progress data to differentiate for each learning need.

“I have been using Lexia in my Title I reading classroom. I really enjoy the program because it helps the students be successful at their own levels. If they make mistakes, it gently redirects their learning and does it in a way that appears fun.” 
—Rebecca Ray, Teacher, St. Joseph Mission School, New Mexico

The programs satisfy Title I requirements, providing opportunities for all students to meet challenging state academic standards.

Similarly, Title I-eligible schools must address the needs of all children, particularly those at risk of not meeting state academic standards. For multilingual learners who are learning English, programs such as Lexia English Language Development™ help support language acquisition through speaking, listening, and grammar practice in core academic subjects.

Maximizing Title I Funds: A Step-By-Step Checklist

Effectively using Title I funds requires careful planning and collaboration between school administrators, district leaders, and sometimes state officials. Here are some simple steps to follow:

1. Assess Your Needs

Evaluate the most pressing needs of the school or district. Review assessment data, consider teacher feedback, and identify specific populations not meeting reading, writing, and language acquisition standards.

Consider that leaders nationwide have said their top area of Title I spending, by far, is reading programs, with 64% ramping up in science of reading-based programs to combat low performance. Another 26% of leaders reported using the funds for English-language programs, while 17% used the funds for online tutoring or intervention.

School leaders should work with district administrators to ensure the priorities and programs identified align with district and state literacy goals.

2. Look for Supplemental Aid

Schools must provide a basic education program through state or local funding; federal funds can’t replace that aid. Title I funds can be used to enhance the curriculum, offering supplemental resources, programs, and services that extend beyond what the school’s budget already covers.

Evidence-based literacy programs must be supplemental to what the school is required to provide through state funds. Title I funds can be used to purchase additional materials, hire intervention specialists, or offer after-school tutoring to help students meet grade-level benchmarks.

3. Measure Up

Identify which ways your programs will satisfy Title I requirements. For instance, does the program provide evidence of supporting economically disadvantaged students? Can it help more students meet state standards? Does it effectively increase the amount and quality of time spent learning?

Create a checklist like the following example. Remember to ask your vendor; they should be able to provide third-party-validated evidence for efficacy in essential areas.

Allowable Uses of Title 1A Funds	Pre-K-5 Core5	6-12 PowerUp	K-6 Emergent Bilingual Learners Lexia English
Provide opportunities for all children, including each of the student subgroups, to meet the challenging State Academic Standards.
Use methods and instructional strategies that strengthen the academic program.
Use methods and instructional strategies that increase the amount and quality of learning time.
Use methods and instructional strategies that provide an enriched and accelerated curriculum.

4.  Remember Your End Goal

Effectively using Title I funds requires foresight, flexibility, and a focus on student outcomes. School leaders who carefully assess their needs, collaborate with district leaders, and avoid supplanting local funds with federal dollars can maximize the impact of Title I funding on student achievement.

“I have used Lexia Core5 with my K–1 Title I reading students. It makes a positive difference with their basic reading skills. Last year, all of my students increased their reading at least two levels.” 
—Cindy Pence, Teacher, Groveport Elementary School, Ohio

Products such as Core5, PowerUp, and Lexia English show how Title I funds can directly support literacy and language development. But it’s not what you buy—it’s how those resources integrate into the school’s overall strategy for improving specific student outcomes. Ensure your programs offer actionable, real-time data reporting and assessments that accurately reflect progress.

Use Title I for Literacy Support

Ready to maximize your Title I funding for literacy programs? Contact Lexia today for a custom strategy to secure and optimize your funds for student success.