ABSTRACT
Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 has become the cornerstone of federal aid to the nation's elementary and secondary schools, providing financial assistance for compensatory instruction to educationally disadvantaged children in low-income areas. Title I provides grants to state and local educational agencies through two programs—basic grants and concentration grants. Basic grants provide funds to local education agencies based on a legislated formula and provide funds to state educational agencies for migrant children and for handicapped, neglected, and delinquent children in state institutions. Concentration grants provide additional funds in counties with a high proportion of children from low-income families. Additionally, state education agencies receive some money for students in state institutions. The administration intends to abolish the Department of Education, replacing it with an education foundation. Title I grew extremely rapidly during the 1970s, but peaked several years ago and has been declining since.
