Rule 160-1-4-.273 - Title II-A Program Grant(1) Purpose of Program. There is a lack of equitable student access to highly qualified teachers throughout the state of Georgia. Therefore, the Title II-A program provides grants to local education agencies (LEAs) for schools to develop and support specific programs to improve teacher quality, increase the number of highly qualified teachers in classrooms, and give equitable access to highly qualified teachers for all students in the state.(2)Terms and Conditions. School systems, state schools and/or Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS) centers with a proven spending record of Title II-A funds will have the opportunity to utilize reallocated Title II-A state activity funds to support a specific program to address the need to increase the number of highly qualified teachers in their district. The use of reallocated funds shall be subject to timeframes given by the GaDOE. LEAs must comply with these timeframes to ensure complete expenditure of funds. This grant is not annual but is subject to availability.(3)Eligible Recipients(s). Local school systems, state schools and/or GNETS centers with proven spending record of Title II-A funds, are eligible to receive grants.(4)Criteria for Award. Priority for funding will be given to applications in which the activity leads directly to increasing the number and/or percentage of highly qualified teachers in the district, state school, or GNETS center. This includes such activities as taking content courses, required tests, etc. To determine the recommendation, a committee of five educators will review and score applications using a rubric that includes elements such as need, objectives, project design, program coordination, evaluation, budget narrative and assurances. Applications describing other allowable activities will be funded according to the percentage of Highly Qualified (HQT) teachers reported in the HQT report, with districts with the lowest percentage of HQT teachers given priority over other applicants in the Title II-A area. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis. (5)Directions and Deadlines for Applying. (a) To apply for a Teacher Quality program grant, school districts, state schools, or GNETS centers will complete a brief application in which the following information is provided: 1. District demographic data including the number of teachers in the district, state school, or GNETS centers to which the HQT requirements apply, percentage HQT teachers, and a brief description of current highly qualified teacher status.2. Copy of the goal from the Comprehensive Local Education Agency (LEA) Improvement Plan the activity will address or a statement of the goal if a Comprehensive LEA Improvement Plan was not required.3. Description of the proposed activity.4. Description of how the activity will be evaluated.5. Proposed budget amount will be determined by the GaDOE.6. Assurance Statement signed by the district Superintendent and Title II-A Coordinator assuring that the funds will be spent and a completion report (financial report and evaluation summary not to exceed one page) submitted by the deadline.(b) Applications will be submitted electronically to the Professional Standards Commission Title II-A representatives.(c) All requests for information should be made to: Division of Teacher Quality, Georgia Department of Education, 1854 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, Georgia 30334.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 160-1-4-.273
O.C.G.A. Secs. 20-2-14, 20-2-240, 20-2-250.
Original grant description entitled "Title IIA Program Grant" submitted January 4, 2007.Submitted: July 14, 2008.