Improving Teacher and Principal Quality Program

2. Title II, Part A Improving Teacher and Principal Quality

3. Program Purpose This program provides agencies with the flexibility to use Title II, Part A funds creatively to address challenges to teacher quality such as: Teacher qualification and preparation Recruiting, hiring, and retaining HQ teachers Professional Development

4. Program Focus Title II, Part A focuses on using practices grounded in scientifically-based research to prepare, train, and recruit high-quality teachers.

5. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Improve the knowledge of teachers and principals and, in appropriate cases, paraprofessionals, in: Core content knowledge Classroom practices Address the needs of students with different learning styles Improve student classroom behavior

6. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Involve collaborative groups of teachers and administrators Enhance parent involvement in their children’s education

7. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Provide training on how to use data assessments to improve classroom practice and student learning Improve the technology literacy of teachers and administrators.

8. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Teacher advancement initiatives to assist teachers in becoming mentor teachers, career teachers or exemplary teachers Improve the quality of principals and superintendents, including the development and support of academies to help them become outstanding managers and educational leaders

9. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Expand or add to the core subject areas of certification that teachers already possess including necessary classes and test fees Pay related costs for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers where allowable under Title II, Part A (i.e. core subject content classes and teaching methodology classes.)

10. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Pay costs related to out-of-area recruitment costs and moving expenses related to filling areas of teacher shortage as evidenced by documented, historical evidence in the district. This expense would also have to be reasonable and necessary.

11. Title II, Part A Supported Activities Recruit teachers to teach special needs children, including students with disabilities. Recruit qualified paraprofessionals and teachers from populations underrepresented in the teaching profession. Recruit and retain pupil services personnel; only allowable when the district is meeting its requirements under ESEA section 1119(a)(2) (i.e. the district is 100% staffed with highly qualified teachers.

12. Class Size Reduction Scientifically Based Research recommends CSR teachers for grades K-3 only; A teacher who holds the same position that was paid the previous year with state and local money cannot be hired as a CSR teacher; A teacher who holds a different position than the previous year can be hired as a CSR teacher, regardless of the funding source.

13. Training Not Allowable Under Title II A Legislation Conferences School Law or Legal Workshops (the only exception is it if pertains specifically to Special Ed or Disabilities) Treasurer Training or Encumbrance Clerk Training Financial Workshops School Business Workshops (ASBO = Assoc. for School Business Officials) Gang Prevention (should be Title IV) Drug Prevention (should be Title IV)

14. Training Not Allowable Under Title II A Child Abuse Prevention CPR Training Aids/Blood Born Pathogens Workshops Nurses Workshops Drivers Ed Training Bus Driver Training Motivational Speakers (unless focused on CORE SUBJECT areas)

15. Training Not Allowable Under Title II A OSSBA (Oklahoma State School Board Assoc.) – occasionally a specific training has been allowed if LEA provides an agenda that is focused on CORE SUBJECT areas or Instructional Leadership. ONLY TEACHERS OR INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS – NO BOARD MEMBERS ALLOWED.

16. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions May Title IIA funds be used for Pupil Services Personnel to attend Professional Development? No. An LEA may not use Title II, Part A funds for Pupil Services Personnel to attend Professional Development.

17. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions What are examples of Pupil Services Personnel? School Counselors Librarians Social Workers School Psychologists And other qualified professional personnel involved in providing assessment, diagnosis, and counseling

18. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions May Title II funds be used to purchase classroom instructional materials? No. The purchase of classroom instructional materials is not an allowable use of Title II (A) funds.

19. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions May Title II funds be used to pay the salaries of paraprofessionals? No. There is no provision in the Title II (A) to pay the salaries of paraprofessionals. What teachers salaries my be paid with Title II (A) funds? The law only permits a district to pay teacher salaries when needed for class-size reduction.

20. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions Is there a required percentage of a district’s Title II (A) allocation that must be used for professional development activities? No. A district is not required to spend a specific amount of its Title II (A) funds on professional development activities.

21. Title II, Part AFrequently Asked Questions Are one-day and short-term workshops, meetings, and/or conferences allowable expenses for Title II (A) funds? Under NCLB [Section 9101 (34) (A) (v) (II)], short-term workshops, meetings, and/or conferences is not, by itself, professional development, and so Title II (A) funds may not pay the costs of registration and attendance at these short-term workshops, meetings, and or conferences as allowable “professional development.”

22. Contacts For technical assistance please contact your Program Specialist or Grant Associate: Office of Titles I, II, VI, and X Oklahoma State Department of Education Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599 405-521-2486 http://ok.gov/sde/title-ii-part http://www2.ed.gov/programs/teacherqual/guidance.pdf