Title IV Part A - Oklahoma Champions of Excellence Initiative

Essential Links

• Start Here >> Download the Title IV, Part A Guidance to better understand the law and how districts might leverage Title IV, Part A funds to expand opportunities for well-rounded education in a safe and healthy environment.
• View the Title IV, Part A law here (allowable uses begin on page 11). For a more comprehensive view of the intent and possible uses of the funding, view the United States Department of Education (USDE) non-regulatory guidance here.
• Download the Allowable Uses Worksheet here.
  • For technical assistance related to allowable uses, view the Technical Assistance webinar recordings here.
  • All related project and program codes are available in the 2019-2020 OCAS Manual. 
  • Districts should be mindful that Title IV, Part A program funds may be used only to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities authorized under the Title IV, Part A program. Key Question #5 on page 14 of the USDE non-regulatory guidance provides further clarification for what "supplement, not supplant" means in the context of Title IV, Part A.  
• Looking for direction and ideas for how to leverage the funds?
  • Learn more about the new all Programs of Excellence Initiative at http://bit.ly/ChampionExcellence. Programs of Excellence provide disciplinary indicators across many allowable costs associated with Title IV, Part A, and they are designed to support whole school, continuous improvement.
  • View FY18 Champions of Excellence Grant awardee abstracts and work plans here. 

Purpose

The purpose of Title IV, Part A is to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of States, local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and local communities to—

1. provide all students with access to a well-rounded education;
2. improve school conditions for student learning; and
3. improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.

In Oklahoma, Title IV, Part A funds are part of a comprehensive strategy known as the Oklahoma Champions of Excellence Initiative. Through this initiative, rubrics for Programs of Excellence will augment the existing accountability system by providing schools the option to celebrate aspects of their school programs. Title IV, Part A funds serve the role of investing into schools who are seeking to improve or advance student achievement by addressing well-rounded education, safe and healthy schools, and effective use of technology.

Six focal areas were identified for the statewide competitive grant process, leading to the development of the first six draft Programs of Excellence rubrics. Now, 6 rubrics have been completed and 2 more will be available in Fall 2019. Download the rubrics at http://bit.ly/ChampionExcellence. 

1. Computer Science (coming soon)
2. English Language Arts
3. Fine Arts
4. Mathematics
5. Science
6. Social Studies and Civics
7. World Languages (coming soon)
8. Safe and Healthy Schools

Districts receiving more than $30,000 must spend...

• At least 20 percent of funds for activities to support well-rounded educational opportunities (ESEA section 4107);
• At least 20 percent of funds for activities to support safe and healthy students (ESEA section 4108); and
• A portion of funds for activities to support effective use of technology (ESEA section 4109).

Within each of these areas, LEAs have broad flexibility to use the Title IV, Part A program funds for a variety of activities to improve student outcomes and address the opportunity gaps identified through the needs assessment. Grants receiving less than $30,000 only have to meet one of the stated requirements above. See the Title IV, Part A allowable use worksheet here.

USDE Statement

The United States Department of Education (USDE) awarded Oklahoma State Department of Education $13,643,669.00 in formula funding under Title IV, Part A in 2019. The total cost, or 100%, of the Title IV, Part A formula grant in Oklahoma is funded with these federal funds. The OSDE retains 5% of the funds for administrative costs and state activities related to the intent of Title IV, Part A. No non-governmental funding sources are used to finance this program.