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

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 effect

The purpose of the program is to provide grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) and subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to increase student achievement consistent with the 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. State-level activities include but are not limited to (1) reforming teacher and principal certification programs, (2) providing support for new teachers, and (3) providing professional development for teachers and principals. Local-level activities include but are not limited to (1) recruiting and retaining effective teachers and principals, (2) providing professional development for teachers and principals, and (3) reducing class size.

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

Contact the headquarters or regional office.

Contact the headquarters or regional office.