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Federally Funded Educational Programs

Many of the Federal programs which provide money for schools, school districts, their sponsors and nonprofit organizations do so in the form of competitive grants. These grants in turn can fund AIMHI Educational Program workshops given at your organization. One of the best one-stop site for PK-12 school grant opportunities and grant writing tips can be found at http://www.schoolgrants.org/

Comprehensive School Reform - http://www.ed.gov/programs/compreform/index.html

Comprehensive school reform programs focus on school-wide efforts to improve education. Funds may be used to select or design a school reform model that is research-based and will best help all students reach state performance standards.

Homeless Children and Youth (Grants for State and Local Activities) - http://www.ed.gov/programs/homeless/performance.html

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act is the legislation that makes available formula grants to states to help them ensure that homeless children have access to public education. States provide subgrants to school districts which, in turn, may provide tutoring and other additional instructional services to meet the needs of homeless children.

Improving Teacher Quality - http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherqual/performance.html

The revised ESEA law consolidates the Class-Size Reduction (FY01 - 1.6 billion) and Eisenhower Professional Development programs (FY01 - 526 million) into a single, flexible formula grant for improving teacher and principal quality. The money can be used for a variety of purposes, such as hiring teachers to limit class sizes, providing professional development, and funding initiatives to retain highly qualified teachers.

Migrant Education Basic State Grants - http://www.ed.gov/programs/mep/index.html

This formula grant program provides education and support activities, such as academic, remedial, bilingual, vocational instruction, and guidance, to students who meet the definition of a migratory child or youth. Other activities may include career education, counseling, health, and preschool services. Activities are designed to meet the special needs of this population, particularly those who are educationally disadvantaged and at risk of not meeting state standards.

Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act - http://www.ed.gov/programs/techprep/index.html

The Perkins act provides equal access by special populations at the secondary and postsecondary levels to vocational and technology education activities, plus related professional development activities for teachers, counselors, and corrections educators. States receive formula grant funds; school districts then receive subgrants. These funds may be used to develop, disseminate, and field test curriculum materials and promote partnerships with appropriate entities.

Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology - http://www.ed.gov/programs/teachtech/index.html

This competitive grant program is designed to promote partnerships among private industry, K-12 schools, and universities. Supported activities include education for faculty on how to use technology in their classes, develop technology-based resources and tools, and creating technology-related professional development and internship opportunities for teachers.

Reading First - http://www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/index.html

The Reading First program is a revision and enhancement of the Reading Excellence Act (FY01 - 286 million). It provides assistance to state and districts in setting up "scientific, research-based" reading programs for children in grades K to 3. States may use up to 20% of the money to provide professional development for teachers, including programs provided by AIMHI Educational Programs. States must distribute at least 80% of the money to districts through a competitive-grant process, giving priority to high poverty areas. Additionally these funds may be used to purchase software and instructional materials and for staff development.

Safe and Drug-Free Schools - http://www.ed.gov/programs/dvpformula/index.html

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools program consists of two major programs: State Grants for Drug and Violence Prevention Programs and National Programs. State Grants is a formula grant program that provides funds to states and local school districts, and Governors, for a broad range of community and school-based prevention and education programs. The National Program provides funds for discretionary grants that focus on drug and violence prevention issues.

Smaller Learning Communities - http://www.ed.gov/programs/slcp/index.html

This program helps create smaller and more supportive learning environments in large public high schools, those enrolling in over 1,000 students in Grades 9 to 12. Innovations as schools-within-schools or career academies that assign students to groups of a few hundred are typically implemented. These funds can be used for (1) professional development and (2) research, development, and implementation of strategies that include parents, business representatives, community-based organizations, and other community members in the activities of the smaller learning communities.

Star Schools - http://www.ed.gov/programs/starschools/index.html

This program has helped to improve instruction in mathematics, science, foreign languages, literacy skills, and vocational education in underserved areas through partnerships that develop, construct, acquire, maintain, and operate telecommunications, audiovisual equipment, and facilities. Currently there are more than one million students and their teachers in 50 states and territories participating in this distance learning program. However, it only provides continuation grants at this time.

Tech-Prep Education - http://www.ed.gov/programs/techprep/index.html

The program offers assistance to states to award grants to a consortia of school districts and postsecondary institutions to operate programs that facilitate technical preparation in applied science; engineering technology; industrial, mechanical, or practical trades; agriculture; health; or business. Programs must include the last two years of high school and two years of postsecondary education, leading to an associate degree or a two-year certificate.

Title 1 - http://www.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/index.html

This formula grant program is the largest of the Elementary and Secondary Education Programs and provides services to children who are at risk of meeting state standards. More than 50,000 schools nationwide use Title I funds to support additional instruction in reading and math, technology programs, preschool education, before- and after-school programs, and summer school programs. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is scheduled to be reauthorized in the upcoming year. Look for even more emphasis on accountability and professional development.

Charter Schools - http://www.uscharterschools.org

This program provides funding for the design and implementation of public charter schools. Today more than ever there is an emphasis on the success and accountability of these schools. Grants are provided on a competitive basis to states with charter school laws. The states in turn make sub-grants to authorized entities. These funds may be used for activities including funding programs provided by AIMHI Education Programs, purchasing equipments, materials, or supplies.

Even Start Family Literacy - http://www.evenstart.org

Even Start has gone from a discretionary grant to a formula grant program thanks to it's popularity with the US Congress. States receive formula grant money, who then make competitive grants available to school districts and their partnering agencies. Even Start programs are designed to enhance family literacy projects that combine early childhood, adult literacy and parenting educational services.

Head Start - http://www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb

The Head Start program is for public agencies, school districts, or nonprofit groups. Head Start serves children ages 3-5 from low-income families. Early Head Start serves low-income pregnant women and families with toddlers or infants. The program has an array of social and educational services designed to equip young children and their parenting skills to better transition into school and experience greater success.

Magnet Schools Assistance in Desegregating Districts - http://www.magnet.edu

These competitive funds are available to school districts that are under a court-ordered or federally mandated desegregation plan. Magnet programs are designed to support and enhanced curriculum and attract racially diverse student populations.

Special Education IDEA - http://www.ideapractices.org/

The Individuals with Disabilities Act was reauthorized in June 1997. Programs provide financial assistance to states to help them meet the educational and developmental needs of over 5 million children, ages birth through 21. The law focuses on increased expectations, more coordination and involvement by parents and the regular classroom teacher, and more professional development for all involved in educating children with disabilities. The law also permits schools broader authority to remove special education students from the classroom for bringing illegal drugs or weapons to school and integration of funds into Title I school-wide programs. Special Education services apply to a vast array of disabilities, including those with severe disabilities, the emotionally disturbed, and the severely and profoundly mentally retarded. IDEA grant categories include those to states and preschools, as well as grants for infants and toddlers.