Assistance Listings

Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants)

Objectives

To provide grants to State Educational Agencies (SEAs), and, through the SEAs, to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in order to increase student academic achievement consistent with challenging State academic standards; improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders; increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.

Examples of Funded Projects

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

FY 23: Range: $10,786,692 to $235,477,151 (for State awards); Average $41,487,275. FY 24: Range: $10,836 to 242,563 (for State awards); Average $41,675.

Accomplishments

Account Identification

91-1000-0-1-501

Types of Assistance

A - Formula Grants

Credentials and Documentation

2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Applicant Eligibility

NOTE: State Educational Agencies (SEAs) are the only eligible State agencies. The 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Bureau of Indian Education, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas, and the Virgin Islands receive funding.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Elementary and secondary schools, teachers, paraprofessionals, principals and other school leaders; and students will benefit.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Generally, awards to SEAs are available for obligation at the Federal level from July 1 to September 30 of the following year. In addition, funds remain available to SEAs for an additional fiscal year for obligation and expenditure. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: See the following for how funds are transferred: Other. Funds are transferred through the Department of Education grant system, with notification of the transfer sent to the grantees in the form of a Grant Award Notification (GAN).

Use of Assistance

SEAs and LEAs have flexibility to carry out a wide variety of activities, consistent with their specific needs. The activities listed below are examples of SEA and LEA allowable uses of funds under ESEA sections 2101(c) and 2103(b). For a complete list of allowable activities under the ESEA, please see sections 2101(c) and 2103(b) of the statute (https://www2.ed.gov/programs/teacherqual/legislation.html). Generally, SEAs must use at least 95 percent of awards for subgrants to LEAs; LEAs may use the funds to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive programs and activities to improve teacher and school leader quality, including developing and improving rigorous and fair evaluation and support systems; implement initiatives to assist in recruiting, hiring, and retaining effective teachers, especially in low-income schools that particularly need assistance; promote teacher leadership; recruit qualified individuals from other fields; reduce class size; provide high-quality, personalized professional development; and develop feedback mechanisms to improve school working conditions. States may reserve up to 5 percent of the total SEA award for allowable State activities, which include, among others, reforming certification and licensing systems and programs, helping LEAs design and implement teacher and school leader evaluation and support systems, improving equitable access to effective teachers, and providing technical assistance to LEAs. (SEAs may reserve up to 2% of total State funding for teacher, principal, or other school leader preparation academies.) States may use no more than 1 percent of the total SEA award for administration. In addition, SEAs are permitted to reserve up to 3 percent of the amount of funds initially reserved for LEA subgrants for State activities for principals and other school leaders. Under ESEA section 2301, this program is subject to non-supplanting requirements; therefore, grantees must use a restricted indirect cost rate that is described in 34 CFR 76.563-76.569. For assistance on indirect costs call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770.

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

An SEA is eligible for funding if it submits either a consolidated State application under ESEA section 8302 that includes information the U.S. Department of Education requires (a description of how the funds will be used, the State’s system of certification and licensing, the State’s plans to improve the skills of educators, how the State will use data and ongoing consultation, and any State actions to improve teacher preparation), or a program application under ESEA section 2101(d) that contains a number of descriptions including how funds will be used, the State’s certification and licensing of teachers and school leaders, and how activities are both aligned with challenging State academic standards and expected to improve student achievement. Program applications must also include descriptions of plans to improve the skills of educators, use of data and ongoing consultation, plans to encourage educator autonomy and flexibility, and actions to improve teacher preparation. The program application also must contain assurances that the SEA will (1) assure compliance by LEAs; (2) work in consultation with the entity responsible for teacher and leader professional standards, certification, and licensing; and (3) comply with requirements for equitable participation of private school children and teachers. Under ESEA section 2102, the SEA makes subgrants to LEAs on a formula basis. Contact the program office for additional information.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.

Award Procedure

The Department awards funds to any SEA with an approved application under Section 2101(d) of the ESEA (program application) or under section 8302 (consolidated State applications).

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

Contact the headquarters or regional office.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Contact the headquarters or regional office.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

SEAs and LEAs must maintain program records for 3 years from the date those agencies submit to the awarding agency its single or last expenditure report for the period for which it received the funds. A longer retention period is required under specified conditions.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, applies to this program. (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 76, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. Contact the program office for additional information.

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: