What is a Title I Preschool Program?
Title I is not a specific program. Title I is a funding stream that may support a broad range of early education programs and services, in addition to traditional K-12 programs. Title I defines preschool as “a program of educational services for eligible children below the age at which the LEA provides elementary education and is focused on raising the academic achievement of children once they reach school age”.[iii] In other words, Title I preschool funds early education programs for young children from birth through the age of school entry, usually around 5 years old. Title I funds have been permitted to be used for young children below compulsory school age since the creation of the ESEA. Title I preschool is not limited to federal or state-funded pre-kindergarten initiatives. Often, Title I funds are layered with other funding sources, including child care subsidies, Head Start, Even Start, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and state pre-kindergarten funding, to
Related Questions
- How can districts be sure that preschool funding will be sufficient to support the program without placing any additional burden on the rest of the district budget?
- What if the district currently offers only a half-day program for preschool children with disabilities?
- What if a parent requests a half-day option for the preschool program?
