Awards are made to the State educational agency in every State, and the Department is currently conducting the second round of monitoring in every State.

Uses and Use Restrictions

At least 95 percent of awards to SEAs must be used to make subgrants to LEAs for the following purposes: to assist schools in effectively recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers; to afford to LEAs the means of recruiting, hiring, and retaining teachers; to make available professional development activities that address subject matter knowledge; and other activities as set forth in Section 2123.

This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.563-76.569.

for assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States with approved ESEA Consolidated State Plans.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Elementary and secondary schools, principals, students, parents, pupil services personnel and teachers will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

An SEA is eligible for funding if it submits an application that includes statewide activities based on scientifically based research and an explanation of why the activities will improve student academic achievement. The plan must: (1) assure compliance by LEA; (2) assure that the activities are aligned with challenging State academic content, student academic achievement standards, State assessments and State and local curricula; and (3) describe the use of the funds to improve the quality of the State's teachers and principals. The State Education Agency for Higher Education makes grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to carry out as activities listed above.

Award Procedures

The Department allocates funds to any State whose application the Secretary has "deemed approved" under conditions set forth in Section 2112 (c).

Deadlines

None.

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, Title II, Part A.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

None.

Appeals

The procedure of an appeal is described in ESEA section: 2112 (c), (d), and (e). Contact the program office for more information.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Improving Teacher Quality State Grants funds are distributed by formula. Each State receives the amount of funds that it received from the antecedent Eisenhower Professional Development State Grants and Class Size Reduction programs in fiscal year 2001. Remaining funds are then allocated to States by formula based 35 percent on States' relative share of the population aged 5 to 17 and 65 percent on States' relative share of poor children aged 5 to 17, with each State receiving at least one-half of 1 percent of these remaining funds.

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

As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) of State-administered programs (34 CFR part 76).

Generally, SEAs are subject to the reporting requirements contained in Title IX of the ESEA, Consolidated State Performance Report Section 9303 (b).

Audits

The State will correct deficiencies in program operations that are identified through audits, monitoring, or evaluation. 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 $300,000 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 $300,000 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

The State will maintain such records, provide such information to the Secretary, and afford such access to the records as the Secretary may find necessary to carry out the Secretary's duties. In accordance with the General Education Provisions Act, and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations, States must maintain certain program records for 3 years.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-1000-0-1-501.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $2,887,439,000; FY 08 est $2,935,248,000; and FY 09 est $2,835,248,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The average award for FY 08 was $55,603,000. The range was $13,987 to $133,937,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Contact the Program Office for additional information.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202, Elizabeth Witt, E-mail: elizabeth.witt@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 260-5585.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

After consultation with the governor, an SEA submits a consolidated application and is not required to submit separate applications. The Secretary shall require only descriptions, information, assurances (including assurances of compliance with applicable provisions regarding participation by private school children and teachers), and other materials that are absolutely necessary for the consideration of a consolidated State application. Contact the Program Office for additional information.