Title II, Part A - Improving Teacher Quality State Grants
Professional Development
The Improving Teacher Quality State Grant Program provides grants to increase student academic achievement by improving teacher quality and getting more highly qualified teachers and principals into schools. Authorized by Title II, Part A of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), this program focuses on preparing, training and recruiting high-quality teachers and principals.
Grants are provided to state and local programs to improve the skills of elementary and secondary school teachers, improve the quality of instruction and to reduce average class size, particularly in the early grades.
Training teachers and reducing class size are the main goals of Title II which provides states and districts with more flexibility in the use of their funds in return for stronger accountability requirements for outcomes.
NCLB also creates a tight linkage between the Title II-A program and the Title I-A program for the disadvantaged. As a condition for receipt of Title I funds, states must establish "annual measurable objectives" for increasing the percentage of highly qualified teachers teaching core subjects in their districts and schools, so that all teachers teaching core subjects are deemed highly qualified. Consistent with the rest of NCLB, all activities funded under the law must be grounded in scientifically based research.
The US Department of Education provides funds on a formula basis to states. After setting aside 1 percent of the funds for SEA and SAHE administrative costs, states must allocate 95 percent of the remaining amount to local school districts and 2.5 percent to higher education partnerships.
The information above is provided, in part, from: Guide to ESEA Forumula Grants - June 2004
For more details on Title II, Part A Click Here.
Professional Development is coordinated through the Curriculum office,
located in the Administration Building at the following address:
Ponca City Public Schools
111 West Grand
Ponca City, OK 74601
District Administration Phone: 580-767-8000
Fax: 580-767-8007