Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies
The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in Federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.
Program Accomplishments
More than 51,000 schools receive services. Over 15.8 million children a year are affected by Title I services in all 50 SEAs, DC, Puerto Rico, and the outlying areas.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Use of funds varies, depending on whether a school is operating a schoolwide program under Section 1114 of Title I or a targeted assistance program under Section 1115.
A school with at least a 40 percent poverty rate may choose to operate a schoolwide program under Section 1114 that allows Title I funds to be combined with other Federal, State, and local funds to upgrade the school's overall instructional program.
All other participating schools must operate targeted assistance programs, which provide extra instruction to those children failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet challenging State academic standards.
Targeted assistance programs must ensure that Title I services supplement, not supplant the regular education programs normally provided by State and local educational agencies.
This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564-76.569.
For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State educational agencies (SEAs) and the Secretary of the Interior.
Local educational agencies (LEAs) and Indian tribal schools are subgrantees.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Children who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet challenging State academic standards.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
SEAs apply for funds as part of Title I, Part A, State plans submitted to the Department of Education in accordance with Section 1111 of ESEA or as part of a consolidated State plan submitted under Section 9302 of ESEA. The plan remains in effect for the duration of the State's participation in Title I, Part A, but must be updated to reflect substantive changes. Participating LEA's must file an approved plan with their SEAs.
Award Procedures
The Department of Education (ED) makes grants through SEAs to LEAs using statutory formulas based primarily on Census Bureau estimates of the number of children from low-income families in each LEA.
Deadlines
Deadlines are established by each SEA.
Authorization
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, Title I, Part A, 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Varies with each State.
Appeals
If an LEA's plan is disapproved by the SEA it may appeal to the SEA and then to the Department of Education under Section 432 of the General Education Provision Act (GEPA).
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The statute includes four separate formulas for allocating Title I Grants to LEAs. Under the statute, Basic and Concentration Grants are funded at the 2001 appropriation level. Basic Grants are allocated to almost all local educational agencies based on each State's per-pupil expenditure for education and the number of school-aged children from low-income families. Concentration Grants are allocated to LEAs having more than 6,500 children from low-income families or a poverty rate of more than 15 percent. In addition, funds appropriated in excess of the fiscal year 2001 level are to be distributed as Targeted Grants, which make higher payments to LEAs with higher numbers or percentages of poor children. The law also includes a separately authorized Education Finance Incentive Grants formula, which incorporates factors designed to measure a State's commitment to provide sufficient education funding, as well as how equitably that funding is distributed across districts. Allocations from all four formulas are combined into a single award to eligible LEAs. Within LEAs, funds are targeted to schools with the greatest percentages of poor children. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Outlying Areas, and the Pacific Regional Education Laboratory also receive funding.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Generally, awards to States are made from July 1 to September 30 of the following year. In addition, funds remain available to States for an additional fiscal year for obligation and expenditure.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
States submit annual performance reports.
Audits
In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in the Appendix to 34 CFR 80, State and local governments that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $500,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with the Appendix to Part 80, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate.
Records
In accordance with the General Education Provisions Act, and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations, States must maintain certain program records for three years.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0900-0-1-501.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 est $12,838,123,000; FY 08 est $13,898,875,000; and FY 09 est $14,304,901,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For FY 2008, the range of awards is expected to be $31.2 million to $1.7 billion; the average award is $264.6 million.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
34 CFR 200. For Title I guidance and other information, contact the program office.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-6132. Contact: Susan Wilhelm E-mail: susan.wilhelm@ed.gov Telephone: (202) 260-0826.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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