ESEA TITLE II, PART B, SUBPART 1, SECTION 2212: Teacher and School Leader Incentive Grants

Funding

$200M, awarded competitively

Eligibility

SEA or other state agency so designated; LEA or a consortium of LEAs; Bureau of Indian Education; or any one of these in partnership with at least one nonprofit or for-profit entity.

Sample Use of Funds

Activities could include:

• Developing or improving an evaluation and support system, including as part of a human capital management system as applicable, that reflects clear and fair measures of teacher, principal, or other school leader performance, based in part on demonstrated improvement in student academic achievement; and provides teachers, principals, or other school leaders with ongoing, differentiated, targeted, and personalized support and feedback for improvement, including professional development opportunities designed to increase effectiveness;
• Conducting outreach within an LEA or a State to gain input on how to construct an evaluation and support system and to develop support for the evaluation and support system, including by training appropriate personnel in how to observe and evaluate teachers, principals, or other school leaders;
• Improving the LEA’s system and process for the recruitment, selection, placement, and retention of effective teachers, principals, or other school leaders in high-need schools, such as by improving LEA policies and procedures to ensure that high-need schools are competitive and timely in attracting, hiring, and retaining effective educators.

This grant has an extensive list of uses of funds. View the complete ESSA Federal Funding Guide below for the full list.

Changes Under ESSA:

Compared to the predecessor program, Teacher Incentive Fund, the program authorized under ESSA places a greater focus on the development of comprehensive human capital management systems that include performance-based compensation systems, while adding a new emphasis on the role of principals and school leaders in promoting effective instruction in high-need schools.

For more information, contact Tom Zembar at 202.822.7109 or [email protected]

Next Steps

You have a right to know if your state or district applied for the funds and influence how they are spent. Most grants have already been disbursed to your state and district, but others may require an application.

Once you find a grant, make sure it’s appropriate for your intended use. Then, contact your local NEA Affiliate to organize an effort to hold your district and state accountable for how the money is used.