(from the Mississippi Department of Education)

The purpose of Title II, Part A is to increase student academic achievement consistent with the challenging state academic standards; improve the quality and effectiveness of teacher, principals, and other school leaders; increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.

Uses of Funds

• Develop, implement, and improve rigorous, transparent, fair evaluation and support systems
• Support the effective recruitment, selection, hiring and retention of effective educators
• Recruit qualified individuals from other fields to become educators
• Reduce class size to a level that is evidence-based
• Provide high-quality personalized professional development that is evidence-based
• Develop programs and activities that increase educators’ ability to meet the needs of all learners
• Support activities and programs that increase educators’ ability to meet the needs of students through age 8
• Carrying out in-service training for school personnel
• Support the instructional services provided by effective school library programs
• Develop feedback mechanisms to improve school working conditions
• Carry out other evidence-based activities that meet the purpose of this title.

Allowable Expenses

• Developing and implementing new teacher, principal, or other school leader induction and mentoring programs
• Providing high-quality professional development that is evidence-based for educators on activities such as effectively engaging parents, families and community partners, promoting high-quality instruction in STEM, etc.
• Developing and implementing strategies to improve the hiring and retention of a diverse workforce
• Creating incentives for effective educators to teach in high-need schools and ongoing incentives for such educators to remain and grow in such schools
• Providing in-service training to all school personnel regarding how to recognize child sexual abuse, trauma, and mental illness, linking children to appropriate services, and addressing issues related to school conditions
• Providing training to support the identification of gifted and talented students and instructional practices that support the education of such students

NOTE: Funds made available under Title II, Part A shall be used to supplement, not supplant, any other federal, state, or local education funds.