Title IV

Purpose:

The purpose of Title IV, Part B is to create community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities for students, particularly those who attend high poverty and low-performing schools; to meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects; to offer students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and to offer literacy and other educational services to the families of participating students.

How funds are distributed:

The U.S. Department of Education distributes Title IV, Part B funds to State Education Agencies (SEAs), who then award sub-grants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs). For 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) funds, eligible organizations (e.g. non-profit agencies, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, for-profit corporations) must submit a 21st CCLC Grant application.

How funds may be spent:

Each eligible organization that receives an award may use the funds to carry out a broad array of before and after school activities (or activities during other times when school is not in session) that advance student achievement. Some of these activities include:

• Remedial education activities and academic enrichment learning programs, including providing additional assistance to improve students’ academic achievement;
• Programs that provide after-school activities for English Language Learners (ELLs) that emphasize language skills and academic achievement; and
• Programs that promote parental involvement and family literacy.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law in December 2015, further provides that none of the funds made available by this Act be used to allow 21st CCLC initiative funding for expanded learning time unless these activities provide enrichment and engaging academic activities for students at least 300 additional program hours before, during, or after the traditional school day and supplements, but does not supplant school day requirements.

Can I use Title IV funds to purchase VocabularySpellingCity?

Yes! VocabularySpellingCity is a comprehensive supplemental educational tool for core Language Arts instruction. It provides rigorous learning opportunities not only during the traditional school day, but also during extended day offerings such as before and after care, Saturday academies and summer school.

For more information, go to http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg55.html.