The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has reached out to chief state school officers to highlight existing flexibility for Title I schools in managing funding sources. The Department emphasized that states can encourage Title I schools to consolidate federal, state, and local funds, aiming to help these schools support students more effectively and enhance academic achievement.
According to the Department, state educational agencies are permitted to approve any Title I school to implement a schoolwide program. This type of program allows schools to combine different funding streams into one flexible source, reducing administrative burden and compliance costs.
“Schoolwide programs, which allow for the consolidation of funds, are a powerful tool for local decisionmakers to break down silos between federal, state, and local funds,” said Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Kirsten Baesler. “As the Trump-McMahon Department of Education continues to return education to the states, we hope leaders will expand Title I schoolwide program eligibility and provide support to districts and schools on how to take advantage of the flexibility afforded through Title I schoolwide consolidation to better serve students and improve academic achievement.”
The Department noted that while most Title I schools—86 percent in the 2022-23 school year—operate a schoolwide program, few currently consolidate federal funds with state and local resources. The Department suggested that increased encouragement from state agencies could lead more schools to use this flexibility.
Over the past year, the Department has also issued guidance documents related to expanding education choice options under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA). Topics included using up to three percent of federal Title I allocations for direct student services; improving safety in persistently dangerous or unsafe schools; prioritizing improvement dollars for underperforming districts; providing equitable services for private school students; and allowing states with Ed-Flex authority to waive certain federal requirements without prior approval from the Department.
Schoolwide program plans must be developed with input from parents, community members, teachers, and others affected by the plan. Federal regulations require that all consolidated funds support these plans with particular focus on serving students who are struggling academically.
The Department also reminded state education leaders about existing statutory flexibilities available under current law and invited them to request waivers from federal requirements when appropriate.
