Erie's Public Schools | Office of Federal Programs 2022-23 School Year
The Title Programs Office is responsible for overseeing Title I, Title II, Title III, SIG (School Improvement Grant) and the Refugee & Children’s School Impact Aid Grant. Our office manages funding to support these programs and compliance as it relates to federal and state laws corresponding to these programs and Every Student Succeeds Act 2015 (ESSA). Title I Part A is the largest single federal aid for elementary and secondary education. This grant is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging academic achievement standards that the State has set for all children.
Title II, Part A is a federal grant to increase academic achievement by increasing teacher and principal quality. This grant helps by increasing the number of certified Pennsylvania teachers in the classroom, increasing the skills of principals and assistant principals and increasing the effectiveness of teachers and principals by holding districts and schools accountable for improvements in student academic achievement. Title II also provides the opportunity for class size reduction at the elementary level.
Title III (additional information) is a 100% federally funded supplemental program that concentrates on delivering language instruction educational programs to students who have a primary language other than English. This program is designed to improve the education of English Learner children and youths by helping them learn English and meet challenging state academic content and student academic achievement standards. The program also provides enhanced instructional opportunities for immigrant children and youths. School Improvement Grants (SIG), authorized under section 1003 (g) of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act of 1965 (Title I or ESEA), are competitive grants given to Pennsylvania’s lowest performing schools to substantially raise the achievement of their students.
Refugee Grant (RCSIA):
In Pennsylvania, educating refugee children becomes the responsibility of school districts. Pennsylvania Department of Education provides federal funding to school districts that experience the greatest impact of refugee students in their schools and communities. The Federal funding falls under the name refugee Children’s School Impact Aid (RCSIA). Currently, there are five grantee school districts and many other non-grantee school districts in the state that provide services to refugee students. They are located in Baldwin-Whitehall, Erie, Lancaster, Philadelphia and Upper Darby. The goal of the program is to support refugee students so they can graduate from high school.
Goals of the Title Programs Office:
- To provide technical assistance, analysis and interpretation of the Every Student Succeeds Act as it relates to Titles I, II, & III to Administrative offices, Principals and school based staff.
- To submit applications to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for all grants related to Title I, II, & III including the School Improvement Grants.
- To provide support and technical assistance to schools related to expenditures of Title I, II & III and School Improvement Grants to help schools and students achieve at higher levels.
- To coordinate Title I services for students that attend non-public or Diocesan schools.
- To support refugee students in the Erie School District as they can graduate from High School.
