Intended to serve a wide range of readers, this multi-author summary report of what is commonly referred to as the "District Practices Study" (1976-82) of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act contains information of special concern to administrators of federally funded programs, legislators, and other policymakers. The report marks the conclusion of phases I and II of the study's three projected phases. Following chapter 1's overview of the study's findings, chapter 2 describes the project's study design and provides a profile of the Title I program at the school district level. Chapters 3 and 4 examine school and student selection; chapter 5 discusses local Title I program project designs and staffing patterns. After chapter 6's analysis of parental involvement in local Title I programs, the four concluding chapters consider the local administration of the program's fiscal requirements, the interaction of school district officials with state education agency officials, nonpublic school students' participation in Title I, and local Title I evaluation and technical assistance. Also included are an appendix on the study design for the study's first two phases and a bibliography. (JBM)