Is Title I Going Away? What Every Educator Needs to Know in 2025

School Poster Printers
Title I
June 19, 2025

Share it

Spoiler alert: No, Title I is not going away. But there’s a lot more to the story — and if you’re a school administrator, teacher, or parent wondering what’s next for education funding, you’re not alone.

Federal education budgets are in flux, timelines are tightening, and the landscape of school funding is growing increasingly complex. As the sun sets on ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding — a financial lifeline for many districts during the pandemic — educators are left wondering what’s next. At the same time, proposed federal budget cuts and shifting priorities are raising big questions about the future of programs like Title I.

This wave of change is leaving school leaders, teachers, and administrators scrambling to make sense of what resources will be available, what spending is allowed, and how to continue supporting students without sacrificing quality or equity. Add to that the ever-evolving compliance guidelines and potential policy overhauls, and you’ve got a perfect storm of uncertainty.

So, what does it all mean for your school? Will Title I disappear? Will allocations drop? What investments make the most sense now?

Quick Refresher: What Is Title I?

Title I is the largest federal funding source for K–12 schools in the U.S., authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Its goal? To ensure that all students — especially those in low-income communities — have access to a high-quality education.

Title I dollars help fund:

Academic interventions and tutoring
Additional staff or smaller class sizes
Classroom technology and supplies
Family engagement programs
Professional development

In other words, it’s the financial backbone for many schools that serve students most in need.

So… Is Title I Going Away?

No. Title I funding is not going away.
But here’s what is happening:

ESSER funds are expiring.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds — emergency money provided during the COVID-19 pandemic — have either already expired or are set to expire in fall 2024. Many schools used ESSER funds to supplement Title I programs, making it feel like a funding cut is on the horizon.
The education budget is under pressure.
In recent federal budget proposals, there have been calls to reduce Title I funding — in some cases by billions of dollars. While Congress has not approved those cuts, the proposals sparked anxiety across the education sector.
New accountability rules and formula changes could shift allocations.
The way Title I funds are distributed is always up for debate. Some districts may see increases or decreasesdepending on changes in poverty data, enrollment, or policy tweaks.

Why It Feels Like Title I Is Disappearing

Even though Title I technically remains, many schools are feeling a pinch. Why?

Stacked funding drop-offs: Schools that relied on both Title I and ESSER are now losing ESSER, but expenses (especially for interventions, tech, and staffing) remain.
Inflation and rising costs: Title I funding hasn’t always kept up with inflation, making each dollar do less.
Delayed reimbursements and red tape: Some districts face bureaucratic slowdowns or uncertainty about how funds can be spent.

What Should Schools Be Doing Right Now?

Whether you’re a principal, tech coordinator, or grant writer — planning how to stretch every dollar matters more than ever. Here’s how to stay proactive:

1. Know your numbers

Work closely with your district’s Title I coordinator to review:

Your school’s Title I eligibility
Your projected funding for the 2025–26 school year
Any remaining carryover funds from previous years

2. Use it or lose it

Title I funds come with deadlines. Make sure you’re spending strategically — especially if you’ve got leftover ESSER funds that expire in fall 2024.

3. Invest in sustainable tools

Choose investments that make a lasting impact, like:

Durable classroom technology
Professional development with long-term benefits
Tools like poster printers or visual learning resources that boost engagement year after year

(Yes — shameless plug — our poster makers are perfect for that. Built for schools, built to last.)

4. Strengthen family engagement

Family engagement is a core pillar of Title I. Invest in communication tools, parent nights, and resources that build trust between school and home.

What’s Next for Title I?

The future of Title I isn’t about whether it exists — it’s about how it’s funded, distributed, and used.

Congressional debates and upcoming elections could influence:

Overall Title I funding levels
Formula changes that impact which districts qualify
Federal priorities around reading, math, tech, SEL, and more

Stay informed by following updates from:

TL;DR: Title I Isn’t Going Away — But Schools Still Need to Adapt

The bottom line? Title I is here to stay, but how far it goes in your school depends on your planning, priorities, and creativity.

✅ It’s not being eliminated.
⚠️ Budgets may tighten.
📈 Smart investments matter more than ever.

Final Thoughts: Equity, Action, and the Future of Title I

Title I funding remains one of the most important levers we have to advance educational equity in the United States. For millions of students, it’s more than just a line item in a federal budget — it’s access to a smaller class, a caring tutor, a reliable device, or even a safe, welcoming classroom. It’s a chance to catch up, keep up, and dream bigger.

But the road ahead requires action. As pandemic relief funds expire and federal budgets shift, the pressure on Title I dollars is increasing. That doesn’t mean we give up — it means we get smarter, more strategic, and more vocal. The schools that will thrive in this next phase aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets — they’re the ones that plan wisely, use data, engage families, and invest in tools that actually work.

Now is the time to reimagine what’s possible — not just to survive budget transitions, but to build stronger systems that serve every learner better. That means re-evaluating what you’re spending money on, aligning every purchase to student outcomes, and investing in solutions that deliver lasting value.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Whether you’re navigating compliance, chasing deadlines, or just trying to make the most of every dollar — we’re here to help. From classroom tech to print resources that support visual learning and communication, we specialize in tools that stretch your funding and elevate your teaching.

Because at the end of the day, Title I isn’t just about funding. It’s about fairness. It’s about giving every student a real shot at success — and that mission has never been more important.

Let’s make it count.