These funds will be used for competitive grants to local education agencies (LEAs) or consortia of LEAs where appropriate.

LEA is defined in statute as follows:

1. The term 'local educational agency' means a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State, or for such combination of school districts or counties as are recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary or secondary schools.

2. The term includes any other public institution or agency having administrative control and direction of a public elementary or secondary school.

3. The term includes an elementary or secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs but only to the extent that such inclusion makes such school eligible for programs for which specific eligibility is not provided to such school in another provision of law and such school does not have a student population that is smaller than the student population of the local educational agency receiving assistance under this Act with the smallest student population, except that such school shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of any State educational agency other than the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

A public charter school may apply for a grant if it is recognized by its state as an LEA. A public charter school should include in its application documentation from its public authorized chartering agency that verifies its status as an LEA in accordance with state charter laws and regulations, as well as the date it received its charter. In addition, it should include documentation of the school's non-profit status. If a public charter school is not recognized as an independent LEA by its state, it cannot apply directly for a grant, but it may be included in an application that its LEA submits for funding.

Yes, BIA funded schools are eligible to apply for program funds.

School districts MUST partner with one or more universities, history organizations, libraries or museums in order to be eligible to apply. This is a statutory requirement of the program.

Yes, an Intermediate Unit may apply for funding if it is a LEA and can also be considered an eligible partner for this grant. BOCES, ESC, CESAS, ESD, County Offices of Education, RESAS and the like are all considered intermediate education units.

Private school teachers may participate in professional development activities; however, a private school may not receive a grant award under this program.

General FAQs | Allowable Activities FAQs | Application Facts FAQs |
Teaching American History Home