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All schools receiving Title I Part A funds are eligible to operate a targeted assistance program. LEAs serving such schools may use funds only for programs that provide services to eligible children identified as having the greatest need for special assistance.​

Eligible Population

• Children not older than 21 who are entitled to a free public education through grade 12
• Children who are not yet at grade level 

Eligible Children from Eligible Population

• Eligible children are children identified by the school as failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet the state academic standards
• Eligible children are identified on the basis of multiple, educationally related, objective criteria established by the LEA and supplemented by the school
• Eligible children from preschool through grade 2 shall be selected solely on the basis of criteria, including objective criteria, established by the LEA and supplemented by the school

Children Include

• Economically disadvantaged
• Children with disabilities
• Migrant children if they received services at any time in the preceding two years
• English learners
• Head Start and pre-school children if they received services at any time in the preceding 2 years in a Head Start program or Title II Part B subpart 2 literacy program or Title I Part A preschool program
• Neglected and delinquent children
• Homeless Children

Targeted assistance programs must:

• Serve participating students identified as eligible children.
• Use resources under this part to help eligible children meet the challenging state academic standards (may include programs, activities, and academic courses necessary to provide a well-rounded education).
• Use methods and instructional strategies to strengthen the academic program of the school (activities may include expanded learning time, before and after-school programs, summer programs and opportunities, a schoolwide tiered model to prevent and address behavior problems, and early intervening services).
• Coordinate with and support the regular education program (may include services to assist preschool children in the transition from early childhood education programs to elementary school programs).
• Provide professional development with resources to teachers, principals, other school leaders and paraprofessionals who work with eligible children in implementing strategies to increase the involvement of parents of eligible children.
• If appropriate and applicable, coordinate and integrate federal, state, and local services and programs (such as violence prevention programs, nutrition programs, housing programs, Head Start programs, adult education programs, and career and technical education programs.
• Provide to the LEA assurances that the school WILL…
• Help provide an accelerated, high-quality curriculum.
• Minimize the removal of children from the regular classroom during regular school hours for instruction.
• On an ongoing basis, review the progress of eligible children and revise the targeted assistance program, if necessary, to provide additional assistance to enable children to meet the challenging state academic standards.
• Dual or concurrent enrollment program services to eligible children identified as having the greatest need for special assistance.

Delivery of Services

• The services of a targeted assistance program may be delivered by nonprofit or for-profit external providers with expertise in using evidence-based or other effective strategies to improve student achievement.

Supplemental Funds, Not Services
A school operating a targeted assistance program may not use Title I, Part A funds to provide services that are otherwise required by law to be made available to eligible children (such as required services for English learners or students with disabilities), but may be used to coordinate or supplement such services.

Reasonable and Necessary
All expenditures must be reasonable and necessary.​

• U.S. Department of Education - Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
• Illinois State Board of Education: Fiscal Policies/Procedures/Requirements Handbook
• Non-Regulatory Guidance: Fiscal Changes and Equitable Services Requirements Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1865 (ESEA), As Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
• Illinois State Board of Education 23 Illinois Administrative Code 100 Subtitle A Subchapter c Title 23: Education and Cultural Resources Subtitle A: Education Chapter I: State Board of Education Subchapter c: Finance Part 100 Requirements for Accounting, Budgeting, Financial Reporting, and Auditing
  
• ESEA of 1965 as Amended Toolkit​​​