Title II, Part A

2. Title II, Part A Improving Teacher and Principal Quality

3. Program Purpose This program provides agencies with the flexibility to use Title II, Part A funds creatively to design and implement a wide variety of activities that can: Promote a teaching staff that is highly qualified Provide school principals with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead their school’s effort in increasing student academic achievement Recruit, hire, and retain highly qualified teachers and principals

4. Program Focus Title II, Part A focuses on using practices grounded in scientifically-based research to prepare, train, and recruit high-quality teachers.

5. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Improve the knowledge of teachers and principals and, in appropriate cases, paraprofessionals, in: Core content knowledge Classroom practices

6. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Providing professional development activities that improve the knowledge of teachers and principals and, in appropriate cases, paraprofessionals, regarding effective instructional practices that: Involve collaborative groups of teachers and administrators Provide training to enable teachers and principals to involve parents in their children’s education, especially parents of limited English proficient and immigrant children

7. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Provide training on how to use data assessments to improve classroom practice and student learning Improve the technology literacy of teachers and administrators

8. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Teacher advancement initiatives to assist teachers in becoming mentor teachers, career teachers or exemplary teachers. Improve the quality of principals and superintendents, including the development and support of academies to help them become outstanding managers and educational leaders.

9. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Expand or add to the core subject areas of certification that teachers already possess including necessary classes and test fees. Pay related costs for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers where allowable under Title II, Part A (i.e. core subject content classes and teaching methodology classes.)

10. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Pay costs related to out-of-area recruitment costs and relocation expenses related to filling areas of teacher shortage as evidenced by documented, historical evidence in the district. This expense would also have to be reasonable and necessary.

11. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Recruit teachers to teach special needs children, including students with disabilities. Recruit qualified paraprofessionals and teachers from populations underrepresented in the teaching profession. Recruit and retain pupil services personnel; only allowable when the district is meeting its requirements under ESEA section 1119(a)(2) (i.e. the district is 100% staffed with highly qualified teachers.)

12. Class Size Reduction Scientifically Based Research recommends CSR teachers for grades K-3 only. A teacher who holds a different position than the previous year can be hired as a CSR teacher, regardless of the funding source. A teacher who holds the same position that was paid the previous year with state and local money cannot be hired as a CSR teacher.

13. Training Not Allowable Under Title II A Legislation Conferences School Law or Legal Workshops (the only exception is it if pertains specifically to Special Ed or Disabilities) Treasurer Training or Encumbrance Clerk Training Financial Workshops School Business Workshops (ASBO = Assoc. for School Business Officials) Gang Prevention (supported by Title IV and in the REAP-Flex and RLIS)

14. Training Not Allowable Under Title II A Drug Prevention (supported by Title IV in REAP-Flex and RLIS) Child Abuse Prevention CPR Training (supported by Title IV in REAP-Flex and RLIS) Aids/Blood Born Pathogens Workshops Nurses Workshops Drivers Ed Training Bus Driver Training Motivational Speakers (unless focused on CORE SUBJECT areas)

15. Training Not Allowable Under Title II A OSSBA (Oklahoma State School Board Assoc.) – occasionally a specific training has been allowed if LEA provides an agenda that is focused on core subject areas or Instructional Leadership. Teachers or Instructional Leaders only – no board members allowed

16. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions May Title IIA funds be used for Pupil Services Personnel to attend Professional Development? No. An LEA may not use Title II, Part A funds for Pupil Services Personnel to attend Professional Development (as they are non-instructional personnel)

17. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions What are examples of Pupil Services Personnel? School Counselors Librarians Social Workers School Psychologists And other qualified professional personnel involved in providing assessment, diagnosis, and counseling

18. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions • May Title II funds be used to purchase classroom instructional materials? • No. The purchase of classroom instructional materials is not an allowable use of Title II (A) funds

19. May Title II funds be used to purchase technology? • Title II, Part A funds cannot be used to purchase technology (iPads, laptops, computers, etc.). District may purchase the actual technology with local or state funds, and pay for the professional development on how to use it in the classroom with Title II, Part A funds. [USDE webinar, May 29, 2013] Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions

20. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions May Title II funds be used to pay the salaries of paraprofessionals? No. There is no provision in the Title II (A) to pay the salaries of paraprofessionals. What teachers salaries my be paid with Title II (A) funds? The law only permits a district to pay teacher salaries when needed for class-size reduction.

21. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions Is there a required percentage of a district’s Title II (A) allocation that must be used for professional development activities? No. A district is not required to spend a specific amount of its Title II (A) funds on professional development activities.

22. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions Are one-day and short-term workshops, meetings, and/or conferences allowable expenses for Title II (A) funds? Under NCLB [Section 9101 (34) (A) (v) (II)], short-term workshops, meetings, and/or conferences is not, by itself, professional development, and so Title II (A) funds may not pay the costs of registration and attendance at these short-term workshops, meetings, and or conferences as allowable “professional development.”

23. Contacts For technical assistance please contact your Program Specialist or Grants Associate: Federal Programs Oklahoma State Department of Education Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599 405-521-2486 http://ok.gov/sde/title-ii-part http://www2.ed.gov/programs/teacherqual/guidance.pdf