§7116 Local Educational Agency Applications

Summary

To get money under this program, a local educational agency (LEA), usually a school district, must send an application to the State education agency and complete a needs assessment. If several nearby LEAs work together, they can submit one joint application. The application must be made with input from parents, teachers, principals and other school staff, students, community groups, local officials (like law enforcement or child welfare where relevant), tribes if present, charter school leaders if involved, and other experts. LEAs must keep talking with those groups while they run the programs. Before getting funds, an LEA must do a full needs review every 3 years of three areas: access to a well-rounded education, safe and healthy school conditions, and access to personalized, tech-supported learning and teacher training. LEAs getting less than $30,000 do not have to do that full review. The application must describe planned activities, any strong partners, goals and how progress will be checked, and how funds will be used for the three areas above. The LEA must promise to give money first to the highest-need schools (for example, schools with many low-income students or those needing improvement), follow rules for private-school participation, spend at least 20% of funds on well-rounded education activities, at least 20% on safe and healthy student activities, use some funds for technology-related activities and follow those rules, and report each year to the State on these spending requirements. LEAs getting under $30,000 only need to make one of the three percentage/technology assurances.