Title III

Purpose:

The purpose of Title III is to ensure that limited English proficient (LEP) students, including immigrant children and youth, develop English proficiency and meet the same academic content and academic achievement standards that other children are expected to meet. Title III funds are intended to help schools supplement their English language instruction programs so students can gain proficiency in speaking, listening to, reading, and writing English. Schools are expected to hold limited English proficient students to the same challenging state standards in core subjects required of all students.

How funds are distributed:

The U.S. Department of Education distributes the funds by formula to State Education Agencies (SEAs), who then award sub-grants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs). States distribute funding to school districts strictly based on the number of English language learners they serve.

How funds may be spent:

Schools use Title III funds to implement language instruction educational programs designed to help English Language Learners (ELLs) achieve these standards. SEAs, LEAs, and schools are accountable for increasing the English proficiency and core academic content knowledge of ELLs.

Can I use Title III funds to purchase VocabularySpellingCity?

Yes! VocabularySpellingCity is a comprehensive supplemental educational tool for core Language Arts instruction. It provides opportunities for English language acquisition through listening, reading, and writing activities that effectively engage ELLs with academic content delivered in English, commonly referred to as “academic language.” Further, these rigorous learning opportunities are available, not only during the traditional school day, but also during extended day opportunities such as before and after care, Saturday academies and summer school.

For more information, go to http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg40.html.