Title IV, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, established Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program (SSAE). The overarching goal of Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1, is to increase the capacity of state education agencies, local educational agencies (LEAs), campuses, and communities to meet the following three goals:

Provide all students access to a well-rounded education
Improve school conditions for student learning (safe and healthy students)
Improve the use of technology to improve the academic outcomes and digital literacy of students

For additional information or resources, please contact the ESC-2 Title IV, Part A Specialist.

Recommended Uses of Funds for School Safety

TEA recommends Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1, federal grant funds be prioritized to implement school safety on campuses, counseling, and mental health programs, addressing ways to integrate health and safety practices into school or athletic programs, disseminating best practices and evaluating program outcomes relating to any LEA activities to promote student safety and violence prevention.

Activities to Support Well-Rounded Education

The purpose of a well-rounded education is to provide an enriched curriculum and education experiences to all students.

Example activities include courses, activities, and programming in subjects such as English, reading or language arts, writing, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, geography, computer science, music, career and technical education, health education, physical education, and any other allowable activity, as determined by the state or LEA.

Activities to Support School Conditions for Student Learning (Support Safe and Healthy Students)

One purpose of the Title IV, Part A programs are to improve school conditions for student learning.

Example activities include violence prevention, crisis management and conflict resolution, preventing human trafficking, building school and community relationships, healthy and safety practices, physical and mental health, counseling services, and any other allowable activity, as determined by the state or LEA.

Activities to Support the Effective Use of Technology

The purpose of an effective use of technology is to improve the academic achievement, academic growth, and digital literacy of all students.

Example activities include activities directly related to improving the use of educational technology, providing educators with professional learning tools and resources, providing staff personalized learning opportunities, adapting and sharing high-quality resources that may include online courses and curated digital collections, implementing blended learning strategies, and any other allowable activity, as determined by the state or LEA.

LEA Requirements

LEAs must complete and submit to TEA the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application to receive ESSA Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1, program allocations.

An LEA may, if it chooses, apply for funds in consortium with one or more surrounding LEAs and combine funds each LEA receives.

LEAs receiving $30,000 or more shall conduct a comprehensive needs assessment with Title IV, Part A required stakeholders on access to, and opportunities for, a well-rounded education for all students; school conditions for student learning; and access to personalized learning experiences supported by technology.

LEAs receiving less than $30,000:

are to consult with required Title IV, Part A stakeholders;
are not required to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and;
are only required to focus on one of the 3 Title IV, Part A, content areas: 1) well-rounded education, 2) safe and healthy students, and 3) effective use of technology

LEAs may not use more than 15 percent of the portion of funds identified for the effective use of technology to purchase technology infrastructure, regardless of LEA allocation amount.

LEAs may transfer Title IV, Part A, funds to another federal allocation. For guidance, see Non-Regulatory Guidance: Fiscal Changes and Equitable Services Requirements.

Additional LEA program are in the TEA ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1, Program Guidelines and the ESSA Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1, Program-Specific Provisions and Assurances.