The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended; 20 U.S.C. 6601-6641 created Title II, Part A.
The recruitment, development, and retention of school teachers and leaders is more important today than ever. Title II, Part A: Teacher and Principal Training and Recruitment provides state agencies and local school districts essential federal investments for this purpose. The purpose of the Title II program is to improve academic achievement of all students by increasing access to effective educators. Title II provides grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) and subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs).
The goal of program is 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 teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools, and provide low-income and students of color greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.
In exchange for receiving funds, state educational agencies and school districts are held accountable to the public for improvements in academic achievement. Title II, Part A, also provides these agencies the flexibility to use these funds creatively to address challenges to teacher quality. This can be accomplished through teacher preparation and qualifications of new teachers, recruitment and hiring, induction, professional development, teacher retention, or the need for more capable principals and assistant principals to serve as effective school leaders.
Formula grants are provided for state-level activities, which include but are not limited to:
reforming teacher and principal certification programs,
providing support for new teachers, and
providing professional development for teachers and principals.
In addition to state-level activities, SEAs make formula subgrants to LEAs, also known as local school districts.
LEA activities include but are not limited to:
recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers and principals,
increasing the number of highly qualified teachers in classrooms, and (3) providing professional development for teachers and principals.
LEA activities must be based on a local needs assessment. They must align with state academic content standards, student academic achievement standards and state assessments.
COSSBA Requests
Increase Title II, Part A, funding to attract, develop, and retain high quality educators by including the Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act in the Higher Education Act (HEA) legislation, which will:
Reduce educator shortages by providing incentives to recruit, attract, and retain new teachers, and
Provide professional development and other supports to help all public school teachers and leaders, especially high-need subject area educators.
Incentivize teacher and principal licensure reform efforts with the goals of improving student achievement and meeting the needs of public schools.
Position Paper
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