This hearing commemorates the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and more specifically of Title I of the Act, later continued through Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA). This legislation mandated Federal aid for the compensatory education of educationally disadvantaged children. This publication includes the statements and testimony of 15 legislators, administrators, teachers, parents, and students on their involvement and experiences with Title I/Chapter 1 programs. Key elements of the hearing include the following: (1) history and ramifications of ESEA; (2) accounts of the development and implementation of compensatory education programs; (3) discussion of Federal intervention and the evolving Federal role in elementary and secondary education; (4) reporting on the relationship between Title I and other government-sponsored education programs; (5) discussion of political influences on the legislation mandating Chapter 1 programs; (6) review of accomplishments of compensatory education initiatives and of remaining obstacles and problems; (7) identification of the need for further legislative action; (8) descriptions of specific successful programs and program features; (9) personal narratives of school administrators and teachers; and (10) personal narratives of students and parents. The publication includes nine prepared statements, letters, and supplemental materials. (AF)