Each year the Texas Education Agency recognizes two Texas Title I schools as National Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I Distinguished Schools.  They are selected based on their success for the Distinguished Performance Award and the Distinguished Progress Award. These schools are honored on campus and at the National Title I Association Conference in the spring, and their best practices are highlighted on this page.

About the National Distinguished School Award

The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA)—formerly the National Title I Association—has been selecting examples of superior, federally funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools program (recently renamed from its predecessor, the National Title I Distinguished Schools program) since 1996.  Schools are selected by their State Education Agency and must qualify under one of the following categories: 

• Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years
• Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups for two or more consecutive years

Title I is the cornerstone of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—it is the largest federally funded pre-college education program in the United States.  Together with other federal education programs of the ESEA—which are jointly focused on student equity and access—they provide funding to school districts to aid primarily in the education of economically disadvantaged students. 

Title I is the foundation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). A Title I school ensures a fair and equal education for all students. NAESPA implemented the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program to highlight selected schools that have effectively used their ESEA federal funds to improve education outcomes for students. More information about all National ESEA Distinguished Schools is available on the NAESPA website.

For more information:

• About the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators: Bob Harmon, CEO, bob.harmon@ESEAnetwork.org
• About individual schools: Individual State Department of Education Offices