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STATUTORY SUMMARY

Title II–Part A of the reauthorized Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides grants to increase student academic achievement through strategies such as improving teacher and principal quality and increasing the number of highly qualified principals and assistant principals in schools to hold LEAs and schools accountable for improvements in student academic achievement. New York will receive $216,018,201 million in Title II- Part A for 2007-2008. This amount is approximately two percent less than in 2006-2007.

The statute provides funds to states to make grants to local school districts and to partnerships between institutions of higher education and high need local educational agencies as well as to carry out state level activities. States must allocate 95% of these funds to local school districts and 2.5% to higher education partnerships. The balance of the funds can be used to support state activities. School districts will be allocated an amount equal to the previous year's allocation, plus a share of additional funds that are to be distributed on the basis of poverty (80%) and student population (20%).

To receive Title II- Part A funds from the state, a school district must submit a grant application that describes the activities to be carried out, how these are aligned with state standards and assessments, and how student achievement will improve. Funds must be targeted to schools with the lowest proportion of highly qualified teachers, have the largest average class-size, or are identified for school improvement under Title I. Districts are required to conduct a professional development needs assessment and provide evidence that they collaborated with teachers (and others) in developing these planned activities. In addition, private school teachers are eligible to participate in Title II programs.

The new program provides districts with more flexibility in the use of funds than the two programs it replaces (i.e., Eisenhower and Class Size Reduction Programs). Under the provisions of the new Title II, school districts may use these funds to reduce class sizes, and are not limited to reductions in grades 1 through 3, as required under the former class-size program. The funds are to be used to supplement, not supplant, district funds.

Districts may use funds for one or more permitted activities such as:

• Assist in recruiting and hiring highly qualified teachers.
• Reducing class size, particularly early grades.
• Providing professional development for teachers, principals, and paraprofessionals.
• Promote retention of teachers and principals (e.g., mentoring, etc.).
• Programs designed to improve the quality of the teacher force (e.g., use of technology, merit pay, testing teachers, etc.).
• Programs designed to improve the quality of principals and superintendents.
• Initiatives, programs, and activities that promote professional growth.

Under a separate section of ESEA (Title VI, Part A – Flexibility Provisions) states and local districts are allowed to transfer or consolidate funds across programs. School districts that have not been identified as in need of improvement or corrective action under Title I may shift up to 50% of their funds among Part A of Title II (Teachers), Part D of Title II (Technology), Part A of Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools) and Part A of Title IV (Innovative Programs block grants). Districts may also transfer up to 50% of the funds received from these programs to Title I, Part A, activities. School districts are required to notify SED, at least 30 days prior to the transfer, of its intent to transfer funds and must provide SED with a copy of modified plans.

* A "highly qualified teacher" has achieved full state certification and holds a license to teach in the state.

This fact sheet reflects the lastest available information and may be subject to change.

Download: Complete Bulletin. PDF file.