Title IV, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment

The purpose of this program is to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of States, local educational agencies, schools, and local communities to:

provide all students with access to a well-rounded education;
improve school conditions for student learning; and
improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.

Title IV Resources

Stronger Connections Grant

As part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), Congress authorized $1 billion in formula funding under Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to state educational agencies (SEAs) to provide students with safer and healthier learning environments. The U.S. Department of Education has allocated $4,833,025 of these funds to Vermont under the BSCA Stronger Connections grant program, 95.5% of which will be awarded competitively to high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) to fund activities allowable under section 4108 – the Safe and Healthy Students section - of the ESEA (see Title IV Allowable Uses). The AOE has established the following indicators of high-need which will be identified for each applicant using AOE data, and translated into a four-point scale (see scoring criteria appendix):

Poverty rates as measured by the percentage of free-and-reduced price meal-eligible students by supervisory union/district (SU/SD);  
Rates of disciplinary incidents that result in exclusionary discipline (such incidents may include bullying, hazing, physical altercations, threats, and more depending on LEA policies) by SU/SD; 
Rates of emergency or provisional licenses sought by SU/SD (as this implies a qualified educator shortage); and  
Rates of chronic absenteeism by SU/SD.   
LEA percentages will be compared to statewide average percentages for each indicator.

In addition, there will be an option in the application for LEAs to self-identify need for additional points.

The LEA grants will support the following activities:

Implementing comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that meet each student’s social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being needs; create positive, inclusive, and supportive school environments; and increase students’ access to place-based interventions and services.
Engaging students, families, educators, staff, and community organizations in the selection and implementation of strategies and interventions to create safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Designing and implementing policies and practices that advance equity and are responsive to underserved students, protect student rights, and demonstrate respect for student dignity and potential.