Title I Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the largest federal preK-12 education program, funded at over $19 billion, and reaching the majority of school districts in the United States.

State and local educational agencies have specific requirements to serve children and youth experiencing homelessness through Title I Part A, including local requirements to reserve funds for homeless students to meet a broad range of educationally-related needs. 

These requirements are particularly important in light of the harmful effects of homelessness on student achievement. Students experiencing homelessness score 8-10% percentage points below other economically disadvantaged students on academic assessments. Moreover, the national graduation rate for homeless students is 68.2% — significantly lower than the graduation rate for low-income students (81.3%) and all students (85.6%).