by Lance T. Izumi, Fellow in California Studies
Pacific Research Institute
November 14, 2000

Announcer lead: Time for Perspectives. Lance Izumi says that the new president should re-think some old federal education policies.

Now that the election is over, we can get beyond the campaign rhetoric and actually consider some real changes in public policy. Among the first policies that should be re-evaluated by the new administration in Washington is Title I, a Johnson-era federal funding program that targets needy students.

Since its adoption in 1965, the federal government has spent $120 billion on Title I. It's the biggest federal education program, accounting for more than 40 percent of every federal dollar spent on K-12 education. In the last fiscal year, California received over $1 billion in Title I funding.

Despite all the money spent on Title I, there's little evidence that the program has helped improve student achievement. After analyzing the program, the Los Angeles Times found that Title I has failed to close the achievement gap between rich and poor students.

Why this failure? Much of the reason lies in how Title I money is spent. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the vast majority of Title I funds are spent on salaries for increased school staff. Many of these extra staff rarely possess a college degree and spend little time in front of a classroom. According to one federal education official, Title I has become a jobs program that ignores the needs of students. Indeed, there is no accountability mechanism to ensure that Title I funds improve student achievement.

One promising recommendation for reforming Title I is to distribute the funds directly to students and their families. Under such a plan, families could buy school materials, tutoring, and other education services. Individual states would then test children to see if performance improves. Continued funding would depend on increased student performance. One side benefit of this distribution plan would be that California would receive more funding since the state currently is short-changed funds to match it population of needy students.

Although enacted with good intentions, Title I has failed to live up to its promises. Its time, therefore, for a major overhaul.

With a perspective, I'm Lance Izumi.