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Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Title IV, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment

This federal program provides supplemental funding to help provide students with a well-rounded education, improve school conditions and improve the use of technology.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Generally, the SSAE program funds may be used in a wide range of allowable activities within the three Content Areas listed below:

  • Well-rounded educational opportunities (WRE) described in ESEA Section 4107;
  • Safe and Healthy Students (SHE) described in ESEA Section 4108; and
  • Effective Use of Technology (EUT) described in ESEA Section 4109.

Under ESSA, LEAs or consortia of LEAs are awarded a competitive subgrant, and/or an allocational grant if LEAs have been approved to receive a 2017-18 Title I, Part A Consolidated Application subgrant.

LEAs may apply for funds as a single applicant or in a consortium with one or more surrounding LEAs. One application is submitted by the lead consortium to receive the combined allocation which is based on each LEA’s share of funds under Title I, Part A of the ESEA.

LEAs or consortia requirements regarding use of funds, spending options and funding floors and ceilings include but not limited to:

  • LEA and school needs
  • LEA’s objectives and intended outcomes
  • Stakeholders input
  • Funding floors and ceilings on certain activities-
    • SSAE funds on technology infrastructure is capped at 25 percent for consortia of LEAs that receive competitive subgrants; and a 15 percent cap for allocational subgrants;
    • LEA may reserve up to 2 percent of its allocation for direct administrative costs for carrying out allowable activities;
    • LEA or consortium with an allocation of $30,000 or more must use at least 20 percent of the allocation to support well-rounded educational opportunities; at least 20 percent to support safe and healthy students; and a portion of funds for the use of technology with no more than 15 percent for technology infrastructure; conduct a comprehensive needs assessment at least once every three years for each content area activities WRE, SHE, and EUT.
  • LEAs must prioritize SSAE funds to schools that:
    • Have the greatest needs determined by the LEA;
    • Have the highest percentage or numbers of low-income children;
    • Are identified for comprehensive support and improvement under Title I;
    • Are implementing targeted support and improvement plans under Title I; or
    • Are identified as a persistently dangerous school under Section 8532.
  • LEAs are required to provide equitable services for private school students and teachers under Sections 8501-8304.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & RESOURCES

Activities to support a Well-Rounded Education:

LEAs may use SSAE funds to support well- rounded educational opportunities.  The purpose of a well-rounded education is to provide an enriched curriculum and education experiences to all students. It includes programs and activities that integrate multiple academic disciplines. In general, an LEA may use funds under section 4107 for any program or activity that supports student access to and success in well-rounded educational experiences. Examples of allowable activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Improving access to foreign language instruction, arts, and music education;
  • Supporting college and career counseling, including providing information on opportunities for financial aid through the early FAFSA;
  • Providing programming to improve instruction and student engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including computer science, and increasing access to these subjects for underrepresented groups; 
  • Promoting access to accelerated learning opportunities including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high schools; and
  • Strengthening instruction in American history, civics, economics, geography, government education, and environmental education

Activities to support Safe and Healthy Students:

  • LEAs may use funds to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive programs and activities that:
  • Are coordinated with other schools and community-based services and programs
  • Promote community and parent involvement in schools
  • Establish or improve dropout prevention
  • Implement programs that support a healthy, active lifestyle -nutritional and physical education
  • Provide school based mental health services and counseling provided by qualified mental health professionals who are certified or licensed by the state
  • Support re-entry programs and transition services for justice-involved youth

Activities to support Effective Use of Technology:

LEAs may use SSAE funds to improve the use of technology to improve the academic achievement, academic growth and digital literacy of all students

  • Support high quality professional development for educators, school leaders, and administrators to personalize learning and improve academic achievement
  • Carrying out innovative blended learning projects
  • Providing students in rural, remote and underserved areas with the resources to benefit from high quality digital learning opportunities
  • Delivering specialized or rigorous academic courses and curricula using technology, including digital learning technologies and assistive technology

Resources:

Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities

Safe and Healthy Students

  • Bullying and Harassment Prevention StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how to prevent and respond to bullying.
  • Healthy Students CDC Healthy Schools is a Federal website with numerous resources to assist school districts and schools in creating healthy learning environments, including information related to nutrition, physical activity, obesity prevention, and the management of chronic conditions. There are also professional development and training materials for school personnel.
  • School-Based Mental Health Services Center for School Mental Health strengthens policies and programs in school mental health to improve learning and promote success for America's youth. CSMH advances evidence-based care in schools and collaborates at local, State, national, and international levels to advance research, training, policy, and practice in school mental health.
  • Asthma Management in Schools Environmental Protection Agency  This guide offers valuable information for all school staff, especially school nurses, teachers and maintenance staff, on how to identify and control common environmental factors in schools that may trigger asthma episodes. Download the Managing Asthma in the School Environment document to learn how you can help control asthma at your school and boost student performance

Effective Use of Technology

  • The National Education Technology Plan 2016 is the flagship educational technology policy document for the United States. The 2016 Plan, Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education, articulates a vision of equity, active use, and collaborative leadership to make everywhere, all-the-time learning possible. The principles and examples provided in the document align to the effective use of technology content area under Title IV, Part A.

Needs Assessment Resources and Tools

  • In the SSAE guidance, the Department has provided examples of resources and tools that may be considered.