Federal Programs

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):

ESSA provides a unique opportunity for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to chart a path for shifting key decisions related to accountability, school improvement, teacher quality, and funding back to the state and the local level. Commissioner Mike Morath is embracing this opportunity to maximize ESSA's new policy flexibility. Under Commissioner Morath's leadership, TEA is advancing a key goal to establish one vision for of the agency, aligning key decision points in developing systems to support ESSA implementation with a new TEA Strategic Plan that will guide all TEA work. Tapping into the new opportunities that ESSA provides will allow for a singular focus on key state priority areas leading to greater levels of student achievement throughout our state.

 

Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program

 

Purpose

A comprehensive reform strategy designed to upgrade the entire educational program in a Title I school to improve the achievement of the lowest-achieving students. [ESSA section 1114(a)(1)]

 

 

 

Title II, Part A – Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-Quality Teachers, Principals, or Others

 

Purpose

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 effective 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.  

  

 

 

Title III, Part A – English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act

Purpose

Title III, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), aims to ensure that English learners (ELs) and immigrant students attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English. Title III will also assist all English learners to meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet.

 

Title IV, Part A – Student Support & Academic Enrichment Grant

Purpose                                                                                                                                                                  Improve student’s academic achievement by increasing the capacity of states, local educational agencies, schools, and local communities to

• Provide access to, and opportunities for a well-rounded education for all students
• Improve school conditions for student learning in order to create a healthy and safe school environment; and
• Improve access to personalized learning experiences supported by technology and professional development for the effective use of technology

 

State Compensatory Education

Under Section 29.081 of the Texas Education Code (TEC), compensatory education is defined in law as programs and/or services designed to supplement the regular education program for students identified as at risk of dropping out of school. The purpose is to increase academic achievement and reduce the dropout rate of these students.

The goal of state compensatory education is to reduce any disparity in performance on assessment instruments administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39 TEC or disparity in the rates of high school completion between students at risk of dropping out of school and all other LEA students (TEC Section 29.081.)

 

State compensatory education funds were authorized by the legislature to provide financial support for programs and/or services designed by LEAs to increase the achievement of students at risk of dropping out of school. State law, Section 29.081, TEC, requires LEAs to use student performance data from the state’s legislatively-mandated assessment instrument known as the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests and any other achievement tests administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39, of the Texas Education Code, including norm-referenced tests approved by the State Board of Education to provide accelerated intensive instruction to students who have not performed satisfactorily or who are at risk of dropping out of school.

  

State FSP Special Allotments

LEAs (local educational agencies, which include ISDs and open-enrollment charter schools) receive special state allotments from the TEA's Foundation School Program (FSP).

The following programs have mandated direct expenditures requirements: