National Implementation Study of Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV, Part A)

State Title IV, Part A Coordinator Survey

Introduction

This survey of state education agency (SEA) officials examines the implementation of Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grants, authorized by Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring this study and has hired Abt Associates to conduct this survey.

We are asking you to complete a short survey about your implementation of the Title IV, Part A Program.

The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete.

These data will be collected for the purposes of providing comprehensive information describing the Title IV, Part A grant program and services and the supports states are providing to districts to decide how funds should be used and how specific programs and activities are implemented.

As you may know, the ESEA requires grantees to cooperate with the Department’s program evaluations (Section 8304(a)(4)), including this one. We know your time is valuable and we thank you for your participation!

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1850-xxxx. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain benefit (Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, Section 8304(a)(4)). Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 or email [email protected] and reference the OMB Control Number 1850-xxxx. Note: Please do not return the completed survey to this address.

Notice of Confidentiality

Information collected for this study comes under the confidentiality and data protection requirements of the Institute of Education Sciences (The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, Title I, Part E, Section 183). Responses to this data collection will be used only for statistical purposes. The reports prepared for the study will summarize findings across the sample and will not associate responses with a specific individual. We will not provide information that identifies you to anyone outside the study team, except as required by law.

Throughout this survey, please include LEA consortia when answering questions about districts.

State Transfer and Use of Title IV, Part A Funds

Questions in this section ask about your state education agency’s transfer and use of Title IV, Part A Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021) funds. FY 2021 funds are those that are available for use in this school year (2021-22) and should not include carryover funds.

1. Did your state education agency (hereafter referred to as state) transfer FY 2021 Title IV, Part A funds to other ESSA program/s?

• Yes

• No

• Don’t know

If Q1= yes, ask Q2. Else, skip to Q3.

2. Below, please indicate the amount of FY 2021 state-level Title IV, Part A funds (i.e., Section 4104 funds) that your state transferred to other ESSA programs. Do not include carryover funds.

Please enter your best estimate. Enter “0” if state did NOT transfer FY 2021 Title IV, Part A allocated funds to a particular ESSA program.

a. Transferred to: Title I, Part A - Improving basic programs operated by school districts	$_____________
b. Transferred to: Title I, Part C - Education of migratory children	$_____________
c. Transferred to: Title I, Part D - Prevention and intervention programs for children and youth who are neglected, delinquent, or at-risk	$_____________
d. Transferred to: Title II, Part A - Supporting effective instruction state grants	$_____________
e. Transferred to: Title III, Part A - State grants for English language acquisition and language enhancement	$_____________
f. Transferred to: Title IV, Part B - 21st Century Community Learning Centers	$_____________
g. Transferred to: Title V, Part B - Rural education	$_____________
h. Total amount of Title IV, Part A allocated funds transferred to another program	[Auto sum]

3. Did your state transfer funds into FY 2021 Title IV, Part A from other ESSA program/s?

• Yes

• No

• Don’t know

If Q3= yes, ask Q4. Else, skip to Q5.

4. What is the total amount of funds that your state transferred into FY 2021 Title IV, Part A from other ESSA program/s?

$xxx,xxx,xxx

5. What is the total amount of FY 2021 Title IV, Part A funds allocated for state-level activities (4104(b))? Do not include carryover funds.

$xxx,xxx,xxx

6. Of the total amount allocated for state-level activities (4104(b)), what amount of FY 2021 Title IV, Part A funds did your state use to support districts in each of the following areas?

Please enter your best estimate. Enter “0” if state did not use FY 2021 Title IV, Part A funds in a particular area.

Supporting districts in well-rounded educational opportunities content area	$_____________
Supporting districts in safe and healthy students content area	$_____________
Supporting districts in the effective use of technology content area	$_____________
Monitoring and other cross-cutting activities	$_____________
Identifying and eliminating state barriers to the coordination and integration of programs	$_____________
Total	[Auto sum]

7. Has your state used waivers available due to the coronavirus pandemic to waive program requirements under Title IV, Part A?

• Yes

• No

• Don’t Know

If Q7= yes, ask Q8. Else, skip to Q9.

8. During which years has your state used waivers due to the coronavirus pandemic to waive program requirements under Title IV, Part A? Select all that apply.

• 2021-2022 school year

• 2020-2021 school year

• 2019-2020 school year

• Don’t Know

State Supports for LEA’s Use of Title IV, Part A Funds

Questions in this section ask about supports offered by your state to districts specific to Title IV, Part A topics and activities and your state’s use of resources provided by the Title IV, Part A Technical Assistance Center.

9. Has your state provided districts with technical assistance (TA), guidance documents or resource materials on the following topics for use of Title IV, Part A funds? If yes, was the TA, guidance documents or resource materials based on information from the Title IV, Part A Technical Assistance Center (T4PA Center)?

General Topics	Did state provide districts with TA, guidance documents or resource materials in this area? Select one option in each row.		If yes, was the TA, guidance documents or resource materials based on information from T4PA Center? Select all that apply.
	Yes If yes, show T4PA Center column/item	No
Consulting with stakeholders	○	○	☐
Conducting a comprehensive needs assessment	○	○	☐
Allocating Title IV, Part A funds to schools with the greatest need	○	○	☐
Coordinating use of Title IV, Part A funds with activities funded by other federal programs	○	○
Identifying evidence-based models, interventions, or strategies	○	○	☐
Other, please specify: __________	○	○	☐

10. Has your state required districts to use the federal Title IV, Part A LEA Needs Assessment Tool developed by the T4PA Center?

• Yes

• No

• Don’t Know

11. Has your state provided districts with technical assistance, guidance documents or resource materials in one or more the following topics in the Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities content area?

If Q11a =No for every item, skip to Q13. If Q11a =Yes for 4 or more items, display Q12.

If yes, was the technical assistance, guidance documents or resource materials based on information from the T4PA Center?

Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities Topics	11a. Did state provide districts with TA, guidance documents or resource materials in this topic area? Select one option in each row.		11b. If yes, was the TA, guidance documents or resource materials based on information from T4PA Center? Select all that apply.
	Yes If yes, show T4PA Center column/item	No
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses and activities (including computer science)	○	○	☐
Accelerated learning programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB), dual or concurrent enrollment programs, and early college high schools	○	○	☐
Mental health education, including social and emotional learning interventions	○	○	☐
College and career counseling	○	○	☐
Career and technical education	○	○	☐
Music and arts education and enrichment	○	○	☐
American history, civics, economics, geography, social studies, or government instruction	○	○	☐
Environmental education	○	○	☐
Foreign language instruction	○	○	☐
Volunteerism and community involvement programming	○	○	☐
Increasing access for English learners to well-rounded education topic areas	○	○	☐
Increasing access for students with disabilities to well-rounded education topic areas	○	○	☐
Other, please specify: _________	○	○	☐

If Q11a =Yes for 4 or more items, display Q12.

12. In the previous question, you indicated your state provided districts with technical assistance, guidance documents or resource materials in the following topics in the Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities content area. Indicate the topics on which your state spent the most staff time and resources this school year (2021-22)? Select up to three.

Display WRE topics in which the state provided assistance to districts i.e., Q11a=Yes for 4 or more items.

Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities Topics	Topics on which state spent the most time and resources. Select up to 3 responses.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses and activities (including computer science)	☐
Accelerated learning programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB), dual or concurrent enrollment programs, and early college high schools	☐
Mental health education, including social and emotional learning interventions	☐
College and career counseling	☐
Career and technical education	☐
Music and arts education and enrichment	☐
American history, civics, economics, geography, social studies, or government instruction	☐
Environmental education	☐
Foreign language instruction	☐
Volunteerism and community involvement programming	☐
Increasing access for English learners to well-rounded education topic areas	☐
Increasing access for students with disabilities to well-rounded education topic areas	☐
Other, please specify: [Display text from Q11]	☐

13. Did your state provide districts with technical assistance, guidance documents or resource materials in one or more the following topics in the Safe and Healthy Students content area?

If Q13a =No for every item, skip to Q15. If Q13a =Yes for 4 or more items, display Q14.

If yes, was the technical assistance, guidance documents or resource materials based on information from the T4PA Center?

Safe and Healthy Students Topics	13a. Did state provide districts with TA, guidance documents or resource materials in this topic area? Select one option in each row.		13b. If yes, was the TA, guidance documents, or resource materials based on information from T4PA Center? Select all that apply.
	Yes If yes, show T4PA Center column/item.	No
Drug prevention/reduction programs	○	○	☐
Strategies to improve school climate, including schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports	○	○	☐
Family engagement strategies	○	○	☐
Establishing community partnerships	○	○	☐
Bullying and harassment prevention (including cyberbullying)	○	○	☐
Mental health education, including social and emotional learning interventions	○	○	☐
Mentoring and school counseling	○	○	☐
Healthy, active lifestyle programs, including nutritional and physical education	○	○	☐
School drop-out prevention	○	○	☐
School safety trainings/school hardening measures (e.g., installing metal detectors and bulletproof glass)	○	○	☐
Increasing access for English learners to safe and healthy students topic areas	○	○	☐
Increasing access for students with disabilities to safe and healthy students topic areas	○	○	☐
Other, please specify: ______	○	○	☐

14. In the previous question, you indicated your state provided districts with technical assistance, guidance documents or resource materials in the following topics in the Safe and Healthy Students content area. Indicate the topics on which your state spent the most staff time and resources this school year (2021-22)? Select up to three.

Display SHS topics in which the state provided assistance to districts i.e., Q13=Yes for 4 or more items.

Safe and Healthy Students Topics	Topics on which state spent the most time and resources. Select up to 3 responses.
Drug prevention/reduction programs	☐
Strategies to improve school climate, including schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports	☐
Family engagement strategies	☐
Establishing community partnerships	☐
Bullying and harassment prevention (including cyberbullying)	☐
Mental health education, including social and emotional learning interventions	☐
Mentoring and school counseling	☐
Healthy, active lifestyle programs, including nutritional and physical education	☐
School drop-out prevention	☐
School safety trainings/school hardening measures (e.g., installing metal detectors and bulletproof glass)	☐
Increasing access for English learners to safe and healthy students topic areas	☐
Increasing access for students with disabilities to safe and healthy students topic areas	☐
Other, please specify: [Display text from Q13]	☐

15. Did your state provide districts with technical assistance, guidance documents or resource materials in one or more the following topics in the Effective Use of Technology content area? If yes, was the technical assistance, guidance documents, or resource materials based on information from the T4PA Center?

If Q15a =No for every item, skip to Q17.

Effective Use of Technology Topics	15a. Did state provide districts with TA, guidance documents or resource materials in this topic area? Select one option in each row.		15b. If yes, was the TA, guidance documents, or resource materials based on information from T4PA Center? Select all that apply.
	Yes If yes, show T4PA Center column/item	No
Blended learning	○	○	☐
Personalized learning	○	○	☐
Digital learning opportunities for students	○	○	☐
Implement open educational resources (OERs) initiatives	○	○	☐
Support for discovering, adapting, and sharing of high-quality resources	○	○	☐
Technology infrastructure (including devices, equipment, software applications, platforms, digital instructional resources, or one-time IT purchases)	○	○	☐
Digital learning opportunities in rural, remote, and underserved areas	○	○	☐
Use of technology to support English learners	○	○	☐
Use of technology to support students with disabilities, including making assistive technology available	○	○	☐
Digital citizenship courses and trainings	○	○	☐
Other, please specify: _________	○	○	☐

If Q15a =Yes for 4 or more items, display Q16.

16. In the previous question, you indicated your state provided districts with technical assistance, guidance documents or resource materials in the following topics in the Effective Use of Technology content area. Indicate the topics on which your state spent the most staff time and resources this school year (2021-22)? Select up to three.

Display EUT topics in which the state provided assistance to districts i.e., Q15=Yes.

Effective Use of Technology Topics	Topics on which state spent the most time and resources. Select up to 3 responses.
Blended learning	☐
Personalized learning	☐
Digital learning opportunities for students	☐
Implement open educational resources (OERs) initiatives	☐
Support for discovering, adapting, and sharing of high-quality resources	☐
Technology infrastructure (including devices, equipment, software applications, platforms, digital instructional resources, or one-time IT purchases)	☐
Digital learning opportunities in rural, remote, and underserved areas	☐
Use of technology to support English learners	☐
Use of technology to support students with disabilities, including making assistive technology available	☐
Digital citizenship courses and trainings	☐
Other, please specify: [Display text from Q15]	☐

State Guidance for LEA Selection of Title IV, Part A Program or Practice

Questions in this section ask about the information sources used by your state to provide districts guidance about Title IV, Part A programs or practices.

17. To what extent does your state use the following strategies to promote the use of evidence-based models, interventions, or strategies to improve student achievement? Select one response in each row.

State Strategies to Promote the Use of Evidence-Based Interventions	Did not use this strategy	Used this strategy less extensively than other strategies	Used this strategy with other strategies equally	Used this strategy more extensively than other strategies	This was the primary strategy for promoting evidence use
Refers districts to the What Works Clearinghouse, Evidence for ESSA, or another organization that rates evidence	○	○	○	○	○
Links districts with staff from the U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) or from the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Centers to obtain information on evidence-based models, interventions or strategies	○	○	○	○	○
Provides a list of approved evidence-based models, interventions or strategies	○	○	○	○	○
Shares T4PA Center document on selecting evidence-based models, interventions or strategies	○	○	○	○	○
Provides assistance in developing a logic model for a program or practice	○	○	○	○	○
Other, please specify: _______________		○	○	○	○

If R does NOT select “Did not use this strategy” for “Provides a list of approved evidence-based models, interventions or strategies” in Q17, display Q18 and Q19, else skip.

18. To what extent did your state consider the following criteria in choosing what to include on the list of approved evidence-based models, interventions, and strategies to improve student achievement? Select one response in each row.

Criteria for Inclusion	Not considered	Considered with minimal weight	Considered with equal weight	Considered with more weight	Required
Has research from studies using a well-implemented experimental or quasi-experimental design (meets ESSA Tier 1 or 2 evidence)	○	○	○	○	○
Has research showing promising evidence from a well-implemented, correlational study that statistically controls for selection bias (meets ESSA Tier 3 evidence)	○	○	○	○	○
Has high-quality research showing that the intervention is likely to improve student outcomes, and an effort to study the effects of the intervention is underway (meets ESSA Tier 4 evidence)	○	○	○	○	○
Evidence of effectiveness that meets other evidence criteria	○	○	○	○	○
Instructional design of the program (structure and sequencing, support materials, skills targeted)	○	○	○	○	○
Alignment with the state’s academic content standards	○	○	○	○	○
Availability of aligned assessments to monitor student progress and/or attainment	○	○	○	○	○
Alignment with school or district identified needs	○	○	○	○	○

19. To what extent did your state consider any of these sources of information to determine that the models, interventions, and strategies on the state’s approved list have evidence of effectiveness? Select one response in each row.

Information Source	Did not consider this source	Considered with minimal weight	Considered with equal weight	Considered with more weight	This was the primary source of information
Information provided by the T4PA Center	○	○	○	○	○
Research published by third-party organizations that evaluate programs or by college/university researchers	○	○	○	○	○
Recommendations from other states, or from schools and districts within the state	○	○	○	○	○
The What Works Clearinghouse, Evidence for ESSA, or another organization that rates evidence	○	○	○	○	○
Information from a U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) or a U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Center	○	○	○	○	○
Other source, please specify: ___________________		○	○	○	○

Challenges in the Use of Title IV, Part A Funds

Questions in this section ask about the greatest challenges in the use of Title IV, Part A funds in your state.

20. What are the greatest challenges in the use of Title IV-A funds in your state? Select up to three challenges.

• Interpreting allowable use of funds under Title IV, Part A

• Providing training and technical assistance to districts to support implementation of funded programs and activities

• Providing guidance to districts about selection of evidence-based models, interventions, or strategies aligned with district’s needs

• Monitoring districts’ implementation of Title IV, Part A activities

• Public reporting on districts’ implementation of Title IV, Part A activities

• Complying with the requirements that districts with subgrants of at least $30,000 use a minimum proportion of funds for each of the Title IV, Part A content areas

• Tracking the use of funds by content area

• Complying with the 15 percent limit on funds to purchase technology infrastructure within the effective use of technology content area

• Other, please specify: __________________________________________

Thank you for completing the survey! If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the study team at: [email protected].