ESSA Guidance & Allocations

As Iowa works to implement the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Iowa Department of Education (Department) is committed to assisting area education agencies (AEAs), school districts (also referred to as local education agencies [LEAs]), and schools in understanding and using their federal funds appropriately. Here you will find:

• Federal program contact information,
• Up-to-date title-specific guidance, and
• General ESSA resources to help in implementing and applying for federal funds.

Back to top

Contacts

ESEA Title Program	Consultant
Chief, Bureau of Federal Programs	Jillian Dotson
Administrative Consultant, Bureau of Federal Programs	Isbelia Arzola
Administrative Consultant, Bureau of Federal Programs	Tim Glenn
Equitable Services for Nonpublic School Students	Rachel Bosovich, State Ombudsperson
Title I, Section 1003—School Improvement	Stacie Stokes
Title I, Part A (Title IA)—Title I, Part A—Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs	Veronica Andersen
Title I, Part C (Title IC)—Education of Migratory Children	Rachel Pettigrew
Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 (Title ID1)—Neglected, Delinquent, and At-Risk State Agency Programs	Elisa Koler
Title I, Part D, Subpart 2 (Title ID2)—Neglected, Delinquent, and At-Risk Local Agency Programs	Elisa Koler
Title II, Part A (Title IIA)—Supporting Effective Instruction	Amy Huebner
Title III, Part A (Title IIIA)—English Learners	Rachel Pettigrew
Title III, Part A (Title IIIA)—Immigrant Students	Rachel Pettigrew
Title IV, Part A (Title IVA)—Student Support and Academic Enrichment Stronger Connections Grant	Hannah Walsh-West Veronica Andersen
Title IV, Part B (Title IVB)—Nita M. Lowrey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Out-of-School Time Career Pathway Program	Vic Jaras
Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 (Title VB2)—Rural and Low-Income Schools Program*	Teresa Garcia
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education	Tyler Navin
Education of Students in Foster Care	Elisa Koler

*Title V, Part B, Subpart 1 - Small, Rural School Achievement Program contact information is intentionally omitted as funds flow directly to eligible LEAs.

Back to top

General ESSA Guidance and Resources

Consolidated Application for ESEA Title Programs Requirements and Deadlines

• Carryover Limits and Unused Equitable Services and PowerPoint Slides (1-11-22) - Provides districts and nonpublic schools with information on the new caps to carryover for federal title programs effective July 1, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2024) and its impact on nonpublic schools’ ability to carry forward unused equitable services.
• ESSA Use of Federal Grant Funds for Food or Drinks Guidance - Provides guidance on the allowability of using federal funds for food and drinks related to professional development activities and travel costs.
• Using Federal Funds for Professional Development Stipends Guidance - Provides guidance on when it is allowable to use federal grant funds for stipends related to professional development.
• Quarterly Claim General Ledger Requirements Guidance (and General Ledger Example)
• Serving Our Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness, Migratory Lifestyles and Foster Care Webinar - Recorded October 2023. Provides information about serving children and youth experiencing homelessness, migratory lifestyles, and foster care. Content includes purpose, eligibility, roles and responsibilities of liaisons, data, funding, allowable activities and resources needed to serve all children and families more effectively.
• Consolidated Application Claims Process Webinar and PowerPoint Slides - Recorded 3-24-23. Provides public agencies with information on how to submit a required quarterly claim.
• Federal Programs Spring 2023 Webinar and PowerPoint Slides - Recorded 3-3-23. Provides public agencies and accredited nonpublic schools with information on specific federal program topics requested in the Department’s recent stakeholder survey.

Back to top

Equitable Services for Nonpublic School Students

• Equitable Services for Nonpublic Students and Teachers: Process and Procedures Guidance (March 2024) - Guides public agencies and accredited nonpublic school officials in understanding their respective roles in fulfilling the equitable service requirements to eligible nonpublic school students.
• District Nonpublic Consultation Agreement Content (Updated 03-03-23)

Back to top

Title I, Section 1003—School Improvement

• Title I, Section 1003 Executive Summary and Title I, Section 1003 Guidance - Summarizes what is required to receive school improvement funds.
• 2023-24 Title I, Section 1003 School Improvement Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title I, Section 1003 Allocations, 21-22 Title I, Section 1003 Allocations, 20-21 Title I, Section 1003 Allocations, ​19-20 Title I, Section 1003 Allocations, and 18-19 Title I, Section 1003 Allocations
• Title I, Section 1003 - School Improvement Application Content
• Federal Programs Webinar Series: Title I, Section 1003 (School Improvement) and PowerPoint Slides (2-22-21)

ESSA Links

• ESSA Support Site - Website provides resources aligned with the required and optional school improvement components for schools in Iowa's ESSA Plan.
• ESSA Accountability Index: Identification for ESSA Assistance - Provides a visual of how schools are identified for Comprehensive and Targeted assistance in Years 1 and 3 of ESSA. Please note that the graduation rate is 67.1%, not 66%.
• ESSA Fact Sheet - Provides an overview of Iowa’s school accountability and support system.

Back to top

Title I, Part A—Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs

• Title IA Guidance - Summarizes what is required to receive Title IA funds.
• Title IA Schoolwide Guidance - Provides the requirements to upgrade the entire educational program in a school.
• Parent and Family Engagement
  • Policy Self-Checklist and Sample - Provides a family and parent engagement policy checklist and a sample policy to assist in fulfilling policy requirements.
  • Building-Level Regulation - Provides the text of the building-level regulation that requires district superintendents to engage parents and family members within the district.
  • Districtwide Policy - Provides a form to create a required parent and family engagement policy.
• 23-24 Title IA Allocations - Please note that the amounts available for equitable services to nonpublic schools will be posted after the close of the Set-Asides and Building Shares collection.
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title IA Allocations, 21-22 Title IA Allocations, 20-21 Title IA Allocations, 19-20 Title IA Allocations, and 18-19 Title IA Allocations
• Title IA Basic Application Content
• Title IA Basic Programs - Set-Asides and Building Shares Content
• Title IA, Basic Programs: Set-Asides and Building Shares Webinar - Provides essential information regarding completing the Title IA, Basic: Set-Asides and Building Shares submission in the CASA. All districts, regardless of whether they have participating nonpublic schools, must complete this collection before accessing any other part of the Consolidated Application for Title Programs.
• Federal Programs Webinar Series: Title I, Part A (Basic Programs)
• Helpful Title I, Part A Links: Resources Prepared for the December 16 Urban Education Network Meeting
• 2023-24 Every Student Succeeds Act Title I, Part A Excess Carryover Waiver Eligibility

Back to top

Title I, Part C—Education of Migratory Children

• Title IC Guidance and Executive Summary - Summarizes what is required of school districts to receive Title I, Part C funds and provides examples of allowable activities.
• 23-24 Title IC Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title IC Allocations, 21-22 Title IC Allocations, 20-21 Title IC Allocations, 19-20 Title IC Allocations, and 18-19 Title IC Allocations
• Title IC Application Content
• Federal Programs Webinar Series: Title I, Part C - Migrant Education Program and PowerPoint Slides (2-17-21)
• Iowa Migratory Education Program

Back to top

Title I, Part D, Subpart 1—Neglected, Delinquent, and At-Risk State Agency Programs

• Title ID1 Guidance - Summarizes what is required of state agencies to receive neglected and delinquent funds.
• 23-24 Title ID1 Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title ID1 Allocations, 21-22 Title ID1 Allocations, 20-21 Title ID1 Allocations and 19-20 Title ID1 Allocations
• Title ID1 Application Content
• Federal Program Webinar Series: Title I, Part D (Neglected and Delinquent) and Slides)

Back to top

Title I, Part D, Subpart 2—Neglected, Delinquent, and At-Risk Local Agency Programs

• Title ID2 Executive Summary - Provides a high-level overview of what is required of local agencies to receive funds.
• 23-24 Title ID2 Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title ID2 Allocations, 21-22 Title ID2 Allocations, 20-21 ID2 Allocations, 19-20 Title ID2 Allocations, and 18-19 Title ID2 Allocations
• Title ID2 Application Content
• Federal Program Webinar Series: Title I, Part D (Neglected and Delinquent) and Slides)

Back to top

Title II, Part A—Supporting Effective Instruction

• Title IIA Guidance - Summarizes what is required to receive Title IIA funds.
• 23-24 Title IIA Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title IIA Allocations, 21-22 Title IIA Allocations, 20-21 Title IIA Allocations, 19-20 Title IIA Allocations, and 18-19 Title IIA Allocations
• Title IIA Application Content
• Spring 2024 Title II, Part A Webinar Recording
  • Spring 2024 Title II, Part A Webinar PowerPoint

Back to top

Title III, Part A—English Learners

• Title IIIA English Learners and Immigrant Students Guidance - Summarizes what is required to receive funds.
• Serving Nonpublic School English Learners - Outlines the steps a district and accredited nonpublic school should follow when serving nonpublic English learners.
• 23-24 Title IIIA—English Learners Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title IIIA English Learners Allocations, 21-22 Title IIIA - English Learners Allocations, 20-21 Title IIIA English Learners Allocations, 19-20 Title IIIA English Learners Allocations, and 18-19 Title IIIA English Learners Allocations
• Title IIIA - English Learners Application Content
• Title IIIA Single Grant Eligibility Business Rules
• Title III Resources
• Federal Program Webinar Series: Title III - English Learner s Recording (3-10-21)

Back to top

Title III, Part A—Immigrant Students

• Title IIIA English Learners and Immigrant Students Guidance - Provides a high-level overview of the requirements to receive Title IIIA Immigrant Students funds.
• 23-24 Title IIIA—Immigrant Students Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title IIIA Immigrant Students Allocations, 21-22 Title IIIA - Immigrant Students Allocations, 20-21 Title III Immigrant Students Allocations,19-20 Title III Immigrant Students Allocations, and 18-19 Title III Immigrant Students Allocations
• Title IIIA - Immigrant Application Content
• Title III Resources

Federal Program Webinar Series: Title III, Part A - Immigrant Students (Recording)

Back to top

Title IV, Part A—Student Support and Academic Enrichment

• Title IVA Executive Summary and Title IVA Guidance - Summarizes what is required of school districts to receive Title IV, Part A (Title IVA) funds and provides examples of allowable activities.
• Determining Allowability of Title IVA Activities Guidance - Provides school districts with information to assist in understanding how the Department determines if an activity is allowable under Title IV, Part A.
• Title IVA Fine Arts Guidance - Provides districts, and consortia of districts, guidance on potential opportunities to utilize Title IVA funds to create and/or expand fine arts opportunities, programming, and training in their respective communities.
• 23-24 Title IVA Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title IVA Allocations, 21-22 Title IVA Allocations, 20-21 Title IVA Allocations, 19-20 Title IVA Allocations, and 17-18 and 18-19 Title IVA Allocations
• Title IVA - Student Support and Academic Enrichment Application Content
• Title IVA Annual Report and Intent to Form a Consortium - Outlines the content for the required Title IV, Part A survey.
  • Previous reports: 2020-2021 Title IVA End-of-Year Reports, 2019-2020 Title IVA End-of-Year Reports, and 2018-2019 Title IVA Annual Reports

Stronger Connections Grants webpage

External Resources

• U.S. Department of Education Title IVA Resources
  • District Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool
• Title IVA Technical Assistance Center (T4PA Center)
• Federal Program Webinar Series: Title IV, Part A (Recording)

Back to top

Title IV, Part B—Nita M. Lowrey 21st Century Community Learning Centers

• Title IVB Executive Summary and Title IVB Guidance - Summarizes what is required of school districts to receive Title IV, Part B (Title IVB) funds.
• 23-24 Title IVB—21st Century Community Learning Centers Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title IVB Allocations, 21-22 Title IVB Allocations, 20-21 Title IVB Allocations, 19-20 Title IVB Allocations, and 18-19 Title IVB Allocations
• 23-24 Title IVB—Out-of-School Time Career Pathway Program Allocations
• Title IVB - 21st Century Community Learning Centers Application Content
• Title IVB 21st CCLC Resources
• Spring 2024 Title IV, Part B Webinar
  • Spring 2024 Title IV, Part B Webinar PowerPoint

Back to top

Title V, Part B, Subpart 1—Small, Rural School Achievement Program

• Title VB1 Allocations may be found on the U.S. Department of Education’s website, as funds are provided directly to eligible LEAs.

Back to top

Title V, Part B, Subpart 2—Rural and Low-Income School Program

• 23-24 Title VB2 Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 Title VB2 Allocations, 21-22 Title VB2 Allocations, 20-21 Title VB2 Allocations, 19-20 Title VB2 Allocations, and 18-19 Title VB2 Allocations
• Title VB2 - Rural and Low-Income School Application Content

Back to top

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education

• McKinney-Vento Guidance - Provides a high-level overview of the requirements to receive McKinney-Vento funds.
• 23-24 McKinney-Vento Allocations
  • Previous allocations: 22-23 McKinney-Vento Allocations, 21-22 McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Allocations, 20-21 McKinney-Vento Allocations, 19-20 McKinney-Vento Allocations, and 18-19 McKinney-Vento Allocations
• McKinney-Vento Application Content
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Resources
• Federal Program Webinar Series: McKinney-Vento Homeless Education and PowerPoint Slides (2-12-21) - Provides foundational information regarding homeless education. It includes an introduction to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program, an overview of definitions and terms, and how to leverage the Homeless Education program for positive student outcomes.

Back to top

Education of Students in Foster Care

• Education of Children in Foster Care - Webpage aims to assist state and local partners in understanding and implementing the new law and inform state and local collaboration between educational and child welfare agencies across the nation for the well-being of children in foster care.

Back to top