Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
Intent and Purpose
The purpose of this subpart is to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of States, local educational agencies, 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. (Title IV, Part A, ESSA § 4001)
LEAs with a Title IV, Part A allocation of $30,000 or greater shall:
• Conduct a CNA that includes, at a minimum, a focus on three content areas:
1) Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities,
2) Safe and Healthy Students;
3) Effective Use of Technology
• shall engage in consultation with stakeholders in the area served by the LEA during the design and development of the applications;
• conduct the needs assessment at least once every three years;
• expend:
• At least 20 percent of funds for activities to support well-rounded educational opportunities;
• At least 20 percent of funds for activities to support safe and healthy students; and
• A portion of funds for activities to support effective use of technology.
LEAs with a Title IV, Part A allocation less than $30,000:
• shall not be required to conduct a CNA;
• shall engage in consultation with stakeholders in the area served by the LEA during the design and development of the applications;
• shall be required to engage in activities in only 1 (one) content area (Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities, Safe and Healthy Students or Effective Use of Technology);
• may choose to engage in activities in 2 or all 3 areas above;
• if activities in 2 or all 3 areas are provided, the LEAs will be limited to:
• At least 20 percent of funds for activities to support well-rounded educational opportunities;
• At least 20 percent of funds for activities to support safe and healthy students; and
• A portion of funds for activities to support effective use of technology.
All LEAs or consortium of LEAs:
• shall submit an application to the SEA to receive their Title IV, Part A allocation;
• are allowed to reserve not more than 2% for the direct administrative costs of carrying out the local educational agency’s responsibilities under this subpart.
A local educational agency, or consortium of such agencies, shall not use more than 15 percent of funds for purchasing technology infrastructure as described in subsection (a)(2)(B), which shall include technology infrastructure purchase for the activities under subsection (a)(4)(A). [ESSA, Section 4109(b)]
The 15% infrastructure limitation rule is applicable to all LEAs, regardless of the allocation amount received. The following purchases are considered infrastructure:
• Procuring devices, equipment, and software applications in order to address readiness shortfalls [ESSA, Section 4109(a)(2)(B)]
• Technology infrastructure purchased to carry out blended learning projects under subsection 4109(a)(4)(A),which shall include: technology software and platforms; digital instructional resources, initial professional development activities, and one-time information technology purchases.
All LEAs or consortium of LEAs:
• shall submit an application to the SEA to receive their Title IV, Part A allocation;
• are allowed to reserve not more than 2% for the direct administrative costs of carrying out the local educational agency’s responsibilities under this subpart.
Transferability
• Title IV, Part A funds may be transferred out to:
• Title I, Part A
• Title I, Part C
• Title I, Part D
• Title II, Part A
• Title V, Part B
Meaningful and timely consultation must be provided to private school officials in accordance with ESSA, Section 8501 before transferring out any Title IV, Part A funds.
Title II, Part A may be transferred into Title IV, Part A.
Law and Guidance
• Non-Regulatory Guidance- Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Outside Source): https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/essassaegrantguid10212016.pdf
• ESSA Sec. 4001 (Outside Source): https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/essassaegrantguid10212016.pdf
Forms and Tools
Webinars
Title IV, Part A Student Support and Academic Enrichment Webinar 9/2021
Resources
• Allowable Uses Worksheet here: https://egrantsweb.sde.ok.gov/OSDEGMSWebv02/PageRefDocs/TitleIV_AllowableUses.pdf
• National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (Outside Source): https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/resources/essa-title-iv-part-A-SSAE-non-regulatory-guidance-webinar-series
• National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Guides/ Training Products to support stakeholder in building and promoting safe and supportive leaning environments for all students(Outside Source): https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/training-technical-assistance/training-products-tools/guides-training-products
• Shape America ESSA Brainstorming Worksheet (Outside Source): https://www.shapeamerica.org/uploads/pdfs/2018/advocacy/ESSA-Funding-Brainstorm-5.1.pdf
• Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (Outside Source): https://rems.ed.gov/docs/REMS_K-12_Guide_508.pdf
