Title I funds must be spent in ways that raise the achievement of students identified as most at risk of failing to reach state academic standards. Even in a Title I schoolwide program, where funds may be used to advance the school's entire academic program and may benefit all students, funded strategies and activities must target specific needs of the lowest-achieving students. 

All allowable costs must be spent in ways that supplement rather than take the place of resources. 

Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended, provides financial assistance to districts and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. Federal funds are currently allocated through statutory formulas that are based primarily on census poverty estimates and the cost of education in each state. Title I, Part D is a program that provides funds to improve educational services for children and youth in local and state institutions for neglected or delinquent children.

The purpose of Title I is to provide equity to ensure that all students have access to high quality instruction and services. Title I offers extra educational assistance to economically disadvantage students who need to significantly improve their academic performance in order to meet standards in reading and mathematics.

Schools with at least 40% economically disadvantaged families can develop a Schoolwide Title I Plan.  This plan offers special programs and services to address the needs of struggling students. Frequent progress monitoring and assessment data is used to make instructional decisions. High quality instruction and interventions that use proven and appropriate methods and materials are implemented.  All of Framingham's Title I school use a Schoolwide Plan.

The Home-School Involvement Compact states the goals and responsibilities of both the guardian and school (teacher) that are necessary in order to provide a quality education for all students. Home-School Involvement Compacts are agreements between the school (teachers) and the home (parents/guardians) that describe the responsibilities of each party, including the student, if desired.  Home-School Involvement Compacts should have a place for both, or all, parties to sign.  In a school-wide program, the compact goes out to all parents/guardians. Each Title I school in the district has a Home-School Involvement Compact that is distributed to guardians.  The Home-School Involvement Compact is developed with input from Title I parents/guardians. It is reviewed and updated annually.

Parents/guardians can help the school and their child in a variety of ways including:

• Volunteering at school
• Volunteering to work on a school planning committee
• Attending school programs
• Helping your child complete their homework
• Reading with your child daily
• Helping your child apply math skills to everyday life
• Visiting the library with your child
• Taking family field trips that foster learning