ESEA Title II Part A

ESEA: Title II, Part A

Program Overview

Title II, Part A Improving Educator Quality State Grants originally authorized as Eisenhower Professional Development and the Class Size Reduction programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, was in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). While ESSA was authorized in December of 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 extended the date by which certain parts of the Act would be effective. The United States Department of Education (USDE) issued the Non-Regulatory Guidance for Title II, Part A on September 27, 2016. Further guidance has been provided by USDE in the form of Dear Colleague Letters and FAQs.

Improving Teacher Quality State Grant funds are obtained by a State on the basis of the USDE’s approval of either (1) an individual State plan as provided in Section 2112 of the ESEA (20 USC 2112) or (2) a consolidated application that includes the program, in accordance with Section 9302 of the ESEA (20 USC 7842). Through the program, state and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) receive funds using a USDE provided formula based on poverty and population.

The purpose of the Title II, Part A grant is:

to increase student achievement consistent with challenging State academic standards,
to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders,
to increase the number of teachers, principals and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools, and
to provide low-income and minority student greater access to effective teachers, principals and other school leaders.

SEA Implementation

The Title II, Part A Program is administered by the Office of Federal and State Accountability (OFSA) in the Division of Federal Programs and Comprehensive Educational Services. The office provides technical assistance, resources, and program monitoring of LEAs to ensure that all teachers and paraprofessionals in South Carolina meet state and federal certification requirements and that all LEAs have equitable distribution of highly experienced and highly effective teachers and leaders.

Technical Assistance – The Title II, Part A State Coordinator works to interpret State and Federal law, provides guidelines for implementing the Title II, Part A program, addresses specific questions and concerns regarding the program, and provides information and assistance in implementing various requirements and guidelines.
Resources – The OFSA provides a number of electronic tools and documents to LEAs to ensure effective program implementation.
Monitoring – The OFSA regularly monitors grant recipients at the local level to ensure compliance with regulations.

Allocations

Title II, Part A is a federal formula grant. All allocations are calculated according to this grant and in conjunction with additional guidance received from USDE. Allocations are available to the public through the link provided under “Improving Teacher Quality State Grants.”