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An extensive review of ESSA legislation shows that there are at least three possible funding streams for states, local agencies, districts, and schools to obtain support for social and emotional learning (SEL) implementation.
- Title I: Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged authorizes education spending between 2017 and 2020 in the form of formula grants to states. This funding stream provides three opportunities to incorporate SEL into school operations:
- schoolwide assistance programs
- targeted assistance programs
- school support and improvement activities.
- Title II: Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High-Quality Teachers, Principals, or Other School Leaders authorizes funding to support the preparation, training, and recruitment of educators at all levels of the school system. States may consider utilizing Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction funds to support their educators by building their capacity to provide instruction that promotes students’ social and emotional competencies. States may also apply for Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) and School Leader Recruitment and Support grants to provide SEL-related professional development.
- Title IV: 21st-Century Schools authorizes funding to support a variety of programs aimed at improving the educational opportunities of students. These may be sought in three subareas:
- Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
- 21st -Century Community Learning Centers
- National Activities
ESSA provides flexibility to states and districts with regard to the use of federal funds as long as interventions chosen for implementation are evidence based. However, the phrase social and emotional learning does not appear in the ESSA legislation, and education leaders may not be aware of the various ways that the law can support SEL interventions.