President Trump’s latest budget and the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding bill have called for the elimination of Title II, Part A funds for FY 2018.
This, despite the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act’s (ESSA) intention to provide states and school districts exciting new opportunities to improve all aspects of education including via Title II, Part A, which provides formula funding to states for the purpose of preparing, training, recruiting, and retaining high-quality teachers, principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders.
These funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including to reform school-leader certification or preparation programs; strengthen school leader evaluation and comprehensive support systems; and develop school leader residency, induction, and mentoring programs.
Title II, Part A was funded at $2.1 billion for FY 2017, a $294 million cut from the previous year and far below the $2.295 billion authorized under ESSA. ESSA also included new language championed by our national stakeholders, NASSP and NAESP that allows states to reserve 3 percent of their Title II funds specifically for school leader activities.
The present discussion is worse – A COMPLETE CUT! But, not all hope is lost.
While the President and House leadership are calling for this elimination, these numbers are not final, and Congress is still working through the FY 2018 budget process.
That’s why it’s critical that you contact your congressional representatives to let them know that you oppose cuts to this program and tell them to support full funding for Title II, Part A of ESSA.
Please contact your Congresspeople TODAY and urge them to stand with America’s educators by negotiating a spending package that funds Title II, Part A at no less than $2.295 billion for FY 2018, its authorized level under ESSA.