Purpose
Title II, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is intended to increase the academic achievement of all students by improving the quality and effectiveness of educators and providing low-income and minority students greater access to effective educators. This includes new educator recruitment and hiring, effective induction programs, continued professional learning, educator retention strategies, and leadership development. For examples, adaptations, and links to resources, practices, models, and other allowable activities, please view the
USDE Non-Regulatory Guidance for Title II, Part A.
Program Requirements
Activities supported with Title II, Part A funds must be planned in consultation with multiple stakeholders including teachers, school leaders, paraprofessionals, special service providers, parents, and community partners. The Local Education Agency (LEA) must also engage in ongoing consultation with these stakeholders to improve supported activities. Descriptions of funded activities in the LECS Plan Appendix D must align with Maryland’s College and Career Ready Standards.
In accordance with federal regulations, each LEA must:
- Implement a system of professional growth and improvement for educators, including opportunities to develop meaningful teacher leadership;
- Prioritize Title II, Part A funds to schools that have been identified for comprehensive and targeted support and improvement;
- Provide equitable services to eligible
non-public school teachers; and
- Ensure Title II, Part A funded activities address the learning needs of all students, including children with disabilities, English learners, and gifted and talented students.
Allowable uses of Title II, Part A funds include:
- Providing high-quality, personalized professional learning that is evidence-based
- Developing and implementing initiatives to assist in recruiting, hiring, and retaining effective teachers, particularly in low-income schools with high percentages of ineffective teachers and high percentages of students who do not meet the challenging State academic standards
- Developing feedback mechanisms to improve school working conditions
- Developing or improving a rigorous, transparent, and fair evaluation and support system for teachers, principals, or other school leaders
- Reducing class size to a level that is evidence-based
- Carrying out other evidence-based activities that meet the purpose of Title II, Part A
Funding, Documentation, & Reporting
Title II, Part A, is a formula-based program. The amount of Title II, Part A funds allocated to LEAs is calculated using US census data. Eighty percent of the LEA’s Title II, Part A allocation is based on poverty and the remaining twenty percent is based on population. Title II, Part A funds must only be used to provide additional services, staff, programs, or materials that are not provided with State or local resources absent federal funds. Federal funds cannot pay for resources or services that would otherwise be purchased with State and/or local funds. Please email Jen Wojcik at
jennifer.wojcik@maryland.gov for a copy of MSDE’s Reporting Timeline for Title II, Part A.
Advocacy
Learning Forward has launched a website,
Powered by Title II. This website is designed to provide:
- Background facts and data on Title II;
- Tools to advance your professional learning advocacy efforts;
- The latest federal updates; and
- Links to research outlining the impact of high-quality professional learning.
Contact:
Cecilia Roe
Director of Instructional Assessment, Professional Learning, Title IIA, & English/Language Arts
Office: (410) 767-0574
cecilia.roe@maryland.gov