This report provides a description and evaluation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I-funded programs for the state of Mississippi. A needs assessment survey conducted in the state indicated that 214,443 students needed assistance in reading, 189,568 needed assistance in language arts, and 194,825 needed assistance in mathematics. Of the 845 public schools and 191 private schools in the state 697 provided services under Title I. The state Title I staff conducted a pilot evaluation of selected school districts in Mississippi. A comparison of reading and mathematics revealed that students made higher gains in mathematics than in reading in most instances; however, an analysis of expenditures revealed that more Title I funds were spent for reading than for mathematics. Some concern was expressed that disadvantaged children tend to fare better at learning number concepts as opposed to learning reading skills. (Author/AM)