Office of Student and Family Support

FY18 Title IV, Part A: Federal ESSA Allocation Grant Available

To:	Superintendents and Charter School Leaders
From:	Rachelle Engler Bennett, Associate Commissioner, Student and Family Support
Date:	July 18, 2017

This memorandum provides information about the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 (FY18) federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title IV, Part A (Title IVA) Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant opportunity, as well as notification of your district's allocation amount. This new federal grant provides districts with funds towards building capacity to ensure that all students have access to a high quality educational experiences.

Coordinated Federal Title Grants

This year, the Department has coordinated the application processes for Title IA (Fund Code 305), Title IIA (Fund Code 140), Title III (Fund Codes 180/186) and this new Title IVA grant. To facilitate cohesive planning, each district is required to complete and submit a Consolidated Plan Overlay document with their Title IA application that describes district priorities for the upcoming school year and sources of funding, including ESSA and other federal programs. The Department encourages districts to apply for all of these grants concurrently, as applicable. Applications are also or will soon be available on the Grants Management website. The deadline for requesting funds under each of the four programs is September 30, 2017.

Title IVA Grant Application

The Title IVA grant application (Fund Code 309) and supporting materials are now available online, and provide details for completing and submitting proposals. Please note: The Department plans to redistribute unclaimed Title IVA funds through a competitive grant in Fall 2017. Districts have significant flexibility in using funds to support the following three priority areas:

access to a well-rounded education,
improving school conditions for learning to ensure safe and healthy students, and
improving the use of technology to improve academic achievement and digital literacy.

Allocations for Title IVA funds

are based on the proportion of the districts' FY17 Title I, Part A allocations. FY18 Title IVA funds are available through June 30, 2018, and are being issued in accordance with the legal, programmatic, and allocation requirements of ESSA.

Use of Funds

Title IVA funds may be used to provide supplemental services and/or supports that address one or more of the priorities of this grant (see previous page.) Funds may be used for, but not limited to the following: direct services, professional development, salaries, and materials/supplies. Districts should coordinate the use of Title IVA funds with other federal, state, and local funds, while ensuring that all Title IVA funds are only used to support activities that are in addition to those that the district would otherwise support through state or local sources.

Equitable Services

ESSA requires the equitable participation of students and educators in private schools located within district boundaries for federally funded programs and services under Title IVA. District are reminded to engage in timely and meaningful consultation with private school officials regarding the participation of private school students and educators in Title IVA. ESSA mandates that the amount available for private school participation for services be based on an district's FY18 Title IVA allocation, minus program administration costs. Districts should include Title IVA in the FY18 Affirmation of Consultation and Agreement with Participating Private School Officials

(required only for districts with private school participation). If you have any questions regarding your district's allocation or the FY18 Title IVA grant application process, please contact achievement@doe.mass.edu or (781) 338-3010.

Last Updated: July 19, 2017