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Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

​Program Mission

Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs provides supplemental funding to state and Local Education Agencies (LEAs). The funding provides resources to LEAs and schools with high percentages of children from low-income families. Title I resources improve education quality and help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Title I services are designed to assist students who are failing or who are most at risk of failing to meet state academic standards. Title I eligible schools provides support to schools through either a "schoolwide program" or a "targeted assistance program."

ESEA​ section 1117 requires a participating LEA to provide equitable Title I services for eligible children attending nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, their teachers, and their families. These services must be developed in consultation with officials of the nonpublic schools.​

Reimbursement/Distribution Method

Funds for Title I, Part A are distributed via formula grants based on the low-income census count. The state allocates not less than 95 percent of the funding to districts on a formula basis.

The Title I, Part A grant award allocation at the state level based on ESSA is:

• ​Grant Award
  • 92% LEA Grants
  • 1% Administration
  • 7% School Improvement

Title I, Part A Homeless Reservation​

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Section 1401: Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk

Program Misson​​

Title I, Part D provides financial assistance to educational programs for youth in state-operated institutions or community day programs and supports school districts' programs (Title I, Part D Allowable use of funds)​ involving collaboration with locally operated correction facilities to:​

• Improve educational services for children and youth in local and state institutions in order to provide opportunities to meet the same challenging state academic content standards and student achievement that all children in the state are expected to meet;
• Provide such children and youth with the services needed to make a successful transition from institutionalization to further schooling and employment;​
• Prevent at-risk youth from dropping out of school, and to provide dropouts and children and youth returning from correctional facilities or neglected/delinquent institutions with a support system to ensure their continued education.​

Annual Program Requirements

• Form 32-07A: Consolidated State Performance Report Subpart 1 (IDJJ)
  
• Form 32-07B: Consolidated State Performance Report Subpart 2 (LEA)​​​
  
• FY26 Annual Survey of Children in Local Institutions for Neglected and Delinquent Children​
  

Resources

• Neglected/Delinquent Student Services​​
  
• U.S. Department of Education Title I, Part D
• National Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Neglected or Delinquent Children and Youth (NDTAC)
  
• NDTAC Tip Sheet – Identifying Neglected and Delinquent Institutions with Eligible Children To Be Included in the Annual Count
  

Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-Quality Teachers, Principals, and Other School Leaders

​Program Mission

Title II, Part A provides funds to increase the academic achievement of all students by assisting schools and school districts to prepare, train, and recruit high-quality teachers, principals, and other school leaders. 

All Illinois public school districts are eligible to participate. Eligible nonpublic school teachers may participate in Title II services through consultation. Funds may be used to support professional development; induction and mentoring; recruiting, hiring, and retaining highly qualified teachers; and to reduce the class size. View Title II Allowable and Unallowable Expenditures.

Reimbursement/Distribution Method

Funds are distributed via formula grants. 

Grant award

• 95% Local Education Agency (LEA) grants
• Not more than 3% for ISBE activities for principals or school leaders.
• 5% State Education Agency activities
• No more than 1% for administration.
• If  1% is used for administration, 4% must be used for state activities.

Note: LEAs generate funds based on the number of 5-17-year-olds (20%) and the number of low-income 5-17-year-olds (80%).

Resources

• Title II and IV Nonpublic Resource​
• ​U.S. Department of Education Legislation, Regulations, and Guidance
  
• Non-Regulatory Guidance for Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants 
• ESEA of 1965 As Amended Toolkit (Updated Sept. 11, 2025)​
• Grant Periodic Reporting System (GPRS)​
• GPRS ​Guidance
• Title II GPRS template​​
• FY26 Final Allocations Title I, II,IV Part A​
  

Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE)

Program Mission

To provide funds to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of states, Local Education Agencies, schools, and local communities to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; improve school conditions for student learning; and improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.

All Illinois public school districts are eligible to participate. Eligible nonpublic school teachers may participate in Title IV services through consultation.

Reimbursement/Distribution Method

Funds are distributed via formula grants:
Grant Award

• 95% Local Education Agency (LEA) grants
• 5% State Education Agency (SEA) activities
  • No more than 1% for administration
  • 4% if the entire 1% is used for administration must be used for state activities.

Additional Inoformation

The SEA formula for distributing Title IV, Part A funds to school districts is based on their funds.

• LEAs that receive $30,000 or more must use:
  • At least 20% of the allocation on activities to support well-rounded educational opportunities
  • At least 20% of the allocation on activities to support safe and healthy students.
  • No more than 15% of the allocation on effective use of technology.
• LEAs may reserve up to 2% for direct administrative costs.

Title IV, Part A Reporting​

Resources

• Title II and IV Nonpublic Resource​
• ​ ESEA of 1965 As Amended Toolkit (Updated 9/11/25)
• Title IV Allowable Uses of Funds
• U.S. Department of Education Legislation, Regulations and Guidance
• Non-Regulatory Guidance for Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
• Grant Periodic Reporting System (GPRS)​
• GPRS ​Guidance
• Title IV GPRS template​
  
• FY26 Final Allocations Title I, II,IV Part A​
  

Purpose

The purpose of Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program is to provide rural Local Education Agencies (LEAs) with financial assistance for initiatives aimed at improving student achievement. 

Program Eligibility

According to Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Section 5221(b)(1)​:

• An LEA is eligible to participate in the RLIS program if it meets the statutory criteria of being both low-income and rural.​​
• To be considered low-income, 20% or more of the children ages 5-17 served by the LEA must be from families with incomes below the poverty line, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates.
• To be considered rural, all schools comprising the LEA must have a school locale code of 32, 33,41, 42, or 43 (assigned by National Center for Education Statistics), or be located in an area of the state defined as rural by a governmental agency of the state.
• RLIS-eligible LEAs apply to the Illinois State Board of Education.​

Reimbursement/Distribution Method​

Funds are distributed via formula grants.

Grant Award

• 95% LEA grants
• No more than 5% State Education Agency administration

The amount of funding a State receives is based on its proportionate share of children in average daily attendance in all LEAs eligible to participate in the RLIS program (Section 5221(a)(2)).

Resources

• Title V, Part B: Rural and Education Achievement Program FAQ
• U.S. Department of Education Rural and Low-Income School Program
• U.S. Department of Education Informational Document on the Rural Education Achievement Program​
  

​Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Schools

Public school districts must afford staff and students the right to constitutionally protected prayer.  Pursuant to Section 8524(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)​:

1. By October 1st annually, each school district that participates in an ESEA program must certify in writing to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) that no policy of the school district prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public elementary and secondary schools as detailed in Part II of federal guidance​.
2. By November 1st annually, ISBE must send to the United States Department of Education (ED) a list of those school districts that have not filed the required certification or that have been the subject of a complaint to ISBE alleging that the school district has a policy that prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public elementary and secondary schools.
3. ISBE must provide a process for filing a complaint against a school district that allegedly denies a person, including a student or employee, the right to participate in constitutionally protected prayer. To the extent ISBE has notice of a public legal charge or complaint such as a lawsuit filed against a school district, alleging that the school district denied a person the right to participate in constitutionally protected prayer, ISBE must report the complaint to ED. ISBE must report all complaints that are filed through this complaint process, including complaints that ISBE may deem meritless, to ED.​
   

Complaint Process

In order to file a complaint to ISBE regarding an alleged violation of constitutionally protected prayer, an individual may complete ISBE’s Constitutionally Protected Prayer Complaint Form and email the completed document to protectedprayer@isbe.net​. ISBE staff will contact the complainant within three (3) business days to confirm receipt.  Each case will be thoroughly reviewed and investigated.​​

Resources

• U.S. Department of Education Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer
• U.S. Department of Education’s Center for Faith and Opportunities Initiatives
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act
• ISBE Regulations on Equal Opportunities for All Students​
  

The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators was established to help improve and implement programs under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Title I is the largest federally funded pre-college education program, providing funding to attain high student achievement in school districts that serve students from low-income families.

The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators that publicly recognizes Title I schools for their positive educational advances. Only two Title I schools per state can be selected as a Distinguished School, which makes this an especially prestigious honor.

Each state may select one Title I school in each of the following two categories:

• Category 1 – High Performing: Exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years.
• Category 2 – Achievement Gap: Significantly closing the achievement gap between subgroups of students.
• Category 3 – Special Population: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g., homeless, migrant, English learners, etc.).

ISBE acknowledges the work of our distinguished schools annually at the statewide Every Students Succeeds Act conference and nationally at the national ESEA conference. Annually acknowledging Distinguished Schools on a state and national level serves as an inspiration to other schools.

Celebrating the success of these Illinois Title I schools on a national platform is an extraordinary opportunity and experience. It is important that as a state, Illinois participates in recognizing the good work that schools are doing to establish and implement processes for increasing school effectiveness, especially in schools with low-income students. Furthermore, this highlights our schools as exemplars as Illinois strives to be a national change agent.

Category 1 - High Performing

Selected for 2019

• Jonas E Salk Elementary School
  500 King Arthur Way
  Bolingbrook, IL 60440
• Valley View CUSD 365U
  Dr. James A Mitchem, Jr. – Superintendent
  Ms. Alyson Ewald – Principal

Selected for 2018

• Eisenhower Academy
  406 Burke Drive
  Joliet, IL 60433
• Joliet Public School District 86
  Dr. Theresa R. Rouse – Superintendent
  Ms. Wendy Woglan - Principal

Selected for 2016

• Haines Elementary School
  247 West 23rd Place
  Chicago, IL 60616
• City of Chicago SD 299
  Mr. Forrest Claypool - Chief Education Officer
  Catherine Amy Moy - Principal

Selected for 2015

• Healy Elementary School
  3010 S Parnell Ave
  Chicago IL 60616
• City of Chicago SD 299​
  Mr. Forrest Claypool - Chief Education Officer
  Alfonso Carmona – Principal City of Chicago SD 299

Selected for 2014

• H.H. Conrady Jr. High School
  7950 W. 97th Street
  Hickory Hills, IL 60457
  
• North Palos SD 117
  Dr. Jeannie Stachowiak – Supt.
  Mr. Andy Anderson – Principal H.H. Conrady Jr. High School

Selected for 2012

• Sheridan Elementary Math and Science Academy
  533 W 27th St
  Chicago IL 60616-2574
• City of Chicago SD 299
  Jesse Ruiz – Acting Chief Education Officer
  John Patrick O'Connell – Principal
  

Category 2 - Achievement Gap

Selected for 2019

• H.H. Conrady Jr. High School
  7950 W. 97th St.
  Hickory Hills, IL 60457
• North Palos School District 117
  Dr. Jeannie Stachowiak – Superintendent
  Ms. Adreinne Pavek – Principal

Selected for 2018

• Washington Elementary School
  420 E. Main St.
  Marion, IL 62959
• Marion CUSD 2
  Dr. Keith Oates – Superintendent
  Mr. Tommy Colboth – Principal

Selected for 2015

• Parkside Elementary School
  1900 W. College Ave.
  Normal, IL 61761-2368
• McLean County USD 5
  Dr. Mark Daniel – Superintendent
  Ms. Staci Mandros – Principal

Selected for 2014

• Highland Elementary School
  9700 Crawford Ave.
  Skokie, IL 60076
• Skokie SD 68
  Dr. James Garwood – Superintendent
  Leslie Gordon – Principal

Selected for 2012

• Irving Elementary School
  3401 Gunderson Ave.
  Berwyn, IL 60402
• Berwyn South SD 100
  Dr. Stanley Fields – Superintendent
  Mrs. Mary Havis – Principal​
  

Title I Comparability Documentation​​​​​

Title I districts are required each fall to complete the ESSA Title I Comparability Documentation (ESEA 1118(c)). The report is located in the IWAS system.

LEAs may receive Title I, Part A funds only if:

• An LEA uses state and local funds for participating schools to provide services that, taken as a whole, are “at least comparable” to services in schools that do not participate in the Title I program.
• All Title I districts must define the various comparison classifications. If the "pupil/staff" ratio is used in the comparison, the ESSA Title I Comparability analysis will load the prior year's data as it relates to teachers' names and positions. Districts that are "exempt" may simply select the "Exempt" radio button and then click "Submit."

Resources

• Annual Reports​
  
• ESSA Title I Comparability Documentation Webinar
• ESSA Title I Comparability Documentation PowerPoint
• ESSA Title I Comparability User Guide
• Sample Title I Comparability Written Procedures

ESEA Performance Report

The ESEA requires:

1. States, as Title I, Part A and Title IV, Part A awardees, to annually submit state-level program data describing LEA level of implementation to the Department of Education.
2. Illinois, as recipient of Title I, Part A and Title IV, Part A funds, to submit data to the Department of Education.
3. Data to be collected from LEAs that received Title I, Part A and Title IV, Part A funds. In general, the data collected for the Title I, Part A and Title IV, Part A programs describes in part the LEA level status of implementation. Data collected may be publicly reported on the ISBE Title webpage.

The data collected in this report consists of five sections:
Title I, Part A

• Section I: Student Participation by Grade Levels or Age: Nonpublic or Neglected/Delinquent Student Participation in Title I, Part A
• Section II: Student Participation by Service
• Section III: Staffing Information: Full-Time Equivalent Staff (FTE) of Title I Staff
• Section IV: Parent and Family Engagement Reservation Under Title I, Part A

Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment)

• Section I: Funds Expended Under Title IV, Part A by Content Area
  

Resources

• ESEA Performance Report Webinar (Sept. 8, 2025)
• ESEA Performance Report Webinar PowerPoint​ (Sept. 8, 2025)​
  

Under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to provide services for public school students and eligible nonpublic school students. In particular, Sections 1117 of Title I, Part A, and Title VII, Part F, require a participating LEA to provide eligible children attending nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, their teachers, and their families with Title IA, Title IIA, and Title IVA services or other benefits that are equitable with those provided to eligible public school children, their teachers, and their families. Eligible nonpublic school students are those students who would be eligible to receive Title IA and Title IVA services from the district if they were attending public schools.​

• Nonpublic School Participation​​
  

​The ombudsman assists in verifying that private school children, teachers, and other educational personnel receive services equitable to those in public schools.  State Educational Agencies (SEAs) must designate an ombudsman to monitor and enforce equitable services requirements, according to Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) Sections 1117 (a)(3)(B) and 8501(a)(3)(B).

• Ombudsman​​
  

ISBE has released Title I Supplement Not Supplant (SNS) guidance based on non-regulatory guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education in June 2019.  ISBE’s resources include examples of SNS compliance, criteria for exemption, and an appendix with Frequently Asked Questions. Questions not addressed in the webinar or guidance can be sent to lcorry@isbe.net or imonagha@isbe.net. ​

• ISBE Title I, Part A Supplement Not Supplant Guidance
• Title I, Part A Supplement Not Supplant Prerecorded Webinar
• Title I, Part A Supplement Not Supplant Webinar
• USDE Title I, Part A Supplement Not Supplant Non-Regulatory Guidance (2019)​
  

View previous Title Grant webinars and presentations. Additional Nonpublic/Public and ESSA presentations are also available.

• Webinars and Presentations