Funding

This section identifies the Department's major discretionary and formula grant programs that focus on improvements in teaching. Please note that many other Department programs support teacher development. We suggest that you consult the Department's Funding Opportunities page for a more complete listing.

• Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants

Three discretionary grant programs designed to increase student achievement through comprehensive approaches to improving teacher quality:

• State Grants to support comprehensive statewide reforms to improve teacher quality
• Partnership Grants to bring about fundamental change and improvement in teacher education
• Teacher Recruitment Grants to reduce shortages of qualified teachers in high-need school districts


• Eisenhower Professional Development Federal Activities

Discretionary grants to projects of national significance that contribute to the design and implementation of high-quality professional development. (The projects currently supported under this program include the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse, a teaching standards project, and nine initial teacher professional development projects.)

• Eisenhower Professional Development State Grants

Formula grants to states and local school districts that support high-quality professional development. A portion of the funds is reserved for competitive subgrants to institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations to conduct similar activities.

• Class Size Reduction Program

Formula grants to states to help local schools reduce class size in grades 1-3 to a nationwide average of 18 students per class. Up to 15 percent of district allocations may be used to support professional development that promotes high quality teaching, including helping teachers learn new instructional techniques for smaller classes.

• Reading Excellence Program

Discretionary grants to states to help improve reading instruction and help all children read well and independently by the end of third grade.

• Bilingual Education Professional Development

Three discretionary grant programs designed to meet the critical need for fully certified bilingual ESL teachers and other educational personnel to provide services to limited English proficient students.

• Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology

Discretionary grants that support capacity-building at teacher preparation institutions to ensure that tomorrow's teachers can integrate technology effectively into the curriculum.

• Personnel Preparation for the Education of Persons with Disabilities

Discretionary grants that (1) help address state-identified needs for qualified personnel in special education, related services, early intervention, and regular education, to work with children with disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful.

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