ESEA TITLE IV, PART D: Magnet Schools Assistance

Funding

$105M, awarded competitively

Eligibility

LEAs or consortium of LEAs.

Sample Use of Funds

SEAs and LEAs have flexibility to carry out a wide variety of activities consistent with their specific needs. Activities could include:

• Enabling the LEA, or consortium of such agencies, or other organizations partnered with such agency or consortium, to establish, expand, or strengthen interdistrict and regional magnet programs; enabling the LEA, or consortium of such agencies, to have flexibility in designing magnet schools for students in all grades;
• Compensating, or subsidizing the compensation, of elementary school and secondary school teachers who are effective, and instructional staff where applicable, who are necessary to conduct programs in magnet schools only if the activities are directly related to improving student academic achievement based on the challenging State academic standards or directly related to improving student reading skills or knowledge of mathematics, science, history, geography, English, foreign languages, art, or music, or to improving career, technical, and professional skills;
• Activities, which may include professional development, that will build the recipient’s capacity to operate magnet school programs once the grant period has ended;
• Planning and promotional activities directly related to the development, expansion, continuation, or enhancement of academic programs and services offered at magnet schools.

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

Key Provision: Priority Applications

The Secretary gives priority to applicants that: (1) demonstrate the greatest need for assistance; (2) propose to carry out new, evidence-based magnet school programs, significantly revise existing programs using evidence-based methods and practices, or replicate an existing magnet school program with a demonstrated record of success of increasing student achievement and reducing racial isolation; (3) use methods other than academic examinations (such as a lottery) to admit students; and (4) increase racial integration by designing and implementing magnet school programs that would increase socioeconomic diversity. Applicants that did not receive a grant the previous year receive priority for any funds appropriated above $75 million.

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.