Under current Title I accountability provisions, states are called upon to identify schools and districts in need of improvement by measuring adequate yearly progress (AYP). The state and districts are expected to provide technical assistance to help these schools improve.

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has set aside $3.2 million in federal school improvement funds to distribute to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs).

Each school will be eligible to apply for a $30,000 Title I School Improvement Grant, part of which is to be used for contracting with External Facilitators. Funds are earmarked for schools that are the farthest away from achieving state goals for student achievement.