The Federal ESSA programs have guidelines and expectations that all LEAs must fulfill as a requirement when applying and accepting the grant funds. Each program has a focus that we can help you with. For more information on ESSA programs, visit the Texas Education Agency's Federal Program Compliance Page.
ESSA Related
Unsafe School Choice Option (USCO)
Unsafe School Choice Option (USCO) - Identification of Persistently Dangerous Schools requires each state receiving funds under ESSA to establish and implement a statewide policy requiring that a student attending a persistently dangerous public elementary or secondary school, as determined by the state in consultation with a representative sample of local educational agencies (LEAs) be allowed to attend a safe public elementary or secondary school within the LEA, including a public charter school.
Private Nonprofit Equitable Services
Private Nonprofit Equitable (PNP) Services Reservations are focused on reserving funds by LEAs for equitable services to eligible students at participating private nonprofit schools. School districts are required to consult with PNPs prior to deducting administration costs from the equitable services amount.
For More Information on Private School Equitable Services:
Improving Basic Programs
Title I, Part A, Improving Basic Programs, provides supplemental funding to acquire additional education resources at schools serving high concentrations of students from low-income homes.
Improving Basic Program resources are used to improve the quality of education programs and ensure students from low-income families have opportunities to meet the challenging state assessments. Whether your campus programs are schoolwide or targeted, these resources should include evidence-based methods and strong instructional strategies.
For more information on Title I, Part A, and related programs, visit:
Title I, Part A, Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) is defined as the participation of parents and families in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, ensuring that—
- Families play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning;
- Families are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school;
- Families are full partners in their child’s education and are included in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child; and
- Other activities are carried out, such as those described in ESSA Section 1116. Such as LEAs and campuses that receive Title I, Part A funding must have a written PFE policy
For more information on PFE requirements and technical assistance contact Dr. Sherry Harris. (make this a contact link)
Visit the ESC Region 13 PFE page to learn more or for upcoming events.
Visit the PFE website for the Statewide PFE initiative hosted by ESC Region 16.
Migrant Education Program
Title I, Part C, Migrant Education Program resources are used to help migratory students overcome the challenges of mobility, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, and other difficulties associated with a migratory lifestyle. Funds spent on these programs should help migratory students succeed in school and successfully transition to postsecondary education and/or employment.
For more information on Title I, Part C, visit:
Prevention and Intervention Programs
Title I, Part D, Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk resources are used to improve educational services to children in facilities for the neglected or delinquent. The goal is to enable program recipients to meet the same student performance standards that all children in the state are expected to meet.
Contact Nanette Deaton for more information on prevention and intervention programs.
Supporting Effective Instruction Program
Title II, Part A, Supporting Effective Instruction program resources are aimed at closing the academic gaps of low-income students through improved instruction. The intent of the funding is to support educators in their work to improve the overall quality of instruction and ensure equity of educational opportunity for all students.
For more information on Title Il, Part A, visit:
Multilingual Instruction and Learning Support
Title III, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), aims to ensure that English learners (ELs) and immigrant students attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English. Title III will also assist all English learners to meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet.
Visit our Multilingual Instruction and Learning Support page or contact Dr. Laura Abbott for more information.
Student Support and Academic Enrichment program
Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment program resources are to increase the capacity of state education agencies, local educational agencies (LEAs), campuses, and communities to meet the three goals including:
- Provide all students access to a well-rounded education,
- Improve academic outcomes by maintaining safe and healthy students, and
- Improve the use of technology to advance student academic achievement.
In Texas, the greater focus is currently on the safety and health of students which aligns with the second goal.
For more information on Title IV, Part A, visit:
Funding Transferability for State and Local Educational Agencies
Title V, Part A, Funding Transferability for State and Local Educational Agencies allows flexibility to target federal funds to programs that most effectively address their unique needs. Eligible LEAs may transfer all or any lesser amount of the funds allocated from Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A, to other ESSA programs.
Contact Jennifer Hranitzky for more information.
Rural Education Initiative
Title V, Part B, Rural Education Initiative or REAP program funds are designed to help rural local educational agencies to increase student academic achievement and decrease dropout rates.
Contact Jennifer Hranitzky for more information.