Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Using Federal Education Formula Funds for School Turnaround Initiatives: Opportunities for State Education Agencies

  • 03/02/16

San Francisco — Much has been written on the subject of school turnaround, but relatively little about how to pay for turnaround-related work. This new publication, from the Center on School Turnaround, can help answer questions about funding sources and applications to turnaround work.

Turning around low-performing schools not only requires changing instructional and related practices, but changing spending patterns as well. Too often education dollars are spent on the same costs from year-to-year, with little scrutiny of how closely costs align to the needs of schools and students.

This handbook addresses how U.S. Department of Education (ED) formula grants, such as Title I, Title II, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), can be used to support school turnaround efforts. State education agencies (SEAs) play a critical role in helping districts and schools navigate federal grant rules and spend funds effectively.

This handbook presents four strategies SEAs can use to create the conditions for maximizing ED formula grants for turnaround activities, including:

Strategy 1: Provide Clear Guidance Aligned to Turnaround Activities.
Strategy 2: Eliminate Barriers to Full Use of School-wide Programs.
Strategy 3: Focus on Aligning Spending to Needs.
Strategy 4: Build Oversight Processes That Incentivize High-Quality Programming.

To download the handbook, go to www.schoolturnaroundsupport.org.

Featured

  • Western Kentucky University, Gilbane Announce “Elevate WKU” Partnership

    Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky., recently announced that it has reached the financial close on a on a public-private partnership (P3) with Gilbane Development, according to a news release.

  • University of Washington Opens New Broadcast Studio

    The University of Washington in Seattle, Wash., recently announced the opening of Sundodger Studios, a new broadcast, production, and content facility, according to a news release. The university partnered with Anthony James Partners for the design and development of the studio, which will host about 100 live broadcasts and 120 live videoboard shows per year.

  • Q&A: How to Prevent Kitchen Grease Fires in Commercial Kitchens

    School cafeterias and university dining halls serve thousands of meals daily, relying on high-heat equipment like fryers, grills, and ovens. While these operations keep students fed, they also generate significant grease-laden vapors. Without proper controls, this grease becomes a silent fire threat. As a certified exhaust cleaning specialist and business coach who has helped hundreds of institutional facilities achieve NFPA 96 compliance, I emphasize that proactive grease management isn’t optional; it’s a core fire/life safety practice.

  • Haws Corporation Marks 120th Anniversary

    Haws Corporation, which provides hydration and emergency safety solutions worldwide, recently announced that the company is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, according to a news release.