July 1 is approaching fast, and that means that all IDEA and ESSA Grant Applications are due at the New Jersey Department of Education so that you can begin to use the money that has been allocated to your district to implement programs that will help your students succeed. Before you hit the “Submit” button on your application, please note this friendly reminder: You can use Title II and Title III money to pay for professional learning at FEA.
As stated in the ESSA Title II Part A Overview provided by the NJDOE: Districts receive funds in this title in order to increase student achievement by improving the quality of teachers, principals, and other school leaders. “Funds may be used to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers, specialists in core academic subjects, principals, and pupil services personnel; to hire highly qualified teachers to reduce class size; and to provide professional development to improve the knowledge of teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals in the core academic areas and in effective instructional strategies.” Similarly, the Department’s overview for Title III advises that funds may be used “to provide high-quality professional development to teachers, principals, administrators, and others working with ELL students.”
As you know, FEA offers a multitude of programs throughout the year that can help administrators, teachers, and other school leaders improve strategies to enhance instruction and better prepare students to succeed. Many of the programs are offered at the FEA Conference Center in Monroe, some are offered at satellite locations throughout the state, and many can be made available as an in-district program, where our trainers go to your school or district and train your whole team. Perhaps the best strategy would be to give us a call at 609-860-1200 so that we can work on a comprehensive plan of professional learning together that will advance your schools, improve student achievement, and ensure that you do not lose carry over funds in future years.