The Title I program is the largest federally funded education program in the country. Each of Title I Directors from 54 states and territories is charged with managing their state Title I program to ensure compliance with Federal regulations and to ensure that that all children, especially those who are low achieving and living in economically disadvantaged conditions, have the opportunity to learn from teachers trained in state-of-the-art reading and teaching knowledge.

The National Association of State Title I Directors is dedicated to improving and implementing the Title I program so that more children reach their academic potential. NASTID provides state-based educational leaders with the opportunity to work together to share ideas on effective and innovative programs, identify problems and solutions, and represent the needs of Title I families.

Among other activities, NASTID sponsors an annual Distinguished Title I School Recognition Program. These highlighted schools have demonstrated significant sustained academic improvement in spite of having a 35% or higher poverty rate. Their profiles are shared in a publication so that other schools can learn from their successful initiatives. Distinguished Title I Schools are recognized at the annual Title I Conference held each January.

The National Title I Conference is an annual professional development conference focused on the issues of the Title I program (which funds school districts to serve the educational needs of low income children from kindergarten through high school). The approximately 3000 attendees are largely administrators from school districts and state departments of education, representing every state in the union.

"Informative," "enlightening," and "event of the year" are just a few of the ways attendees have described the national conference. The 2007 Conference, “Avenues to Excellence,” will exceed these expectations. Attendees include school district, state, and federal programs staff, county office of education state and federal programs staff, school board members, and principals and building level staff.