ELL Funding: Trends in State Laws
This 2015 brief explores how the federal government provides grant funding to states through Part A of Title III to help ELLs with language acquisition and meeting content standards. While Title III dollars offer some support, a 2012 survey found that Title III officials and district administrators believe the funds are helpful, but insufficient for ELL services. To address such shortages, 46 states allocate additional state funding dedicated to supporting ELLs. This brief provides a clear and detailed description of the three ways in which states finance ELLs. Tables at the end of the document shows each state’s ELL funding mechanism.
Title III Grant FAQs
This National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) website focuses on Title III, which is a part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). The purpose of Title III is to help ensure that English learners (ELs) attain English language proficiency and meet state academic standards. Federal funding is provided through various grant programs to assist state education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) in accomplishing this. Some funds are offered to entities other than SEAs and LEAs, and SEAs and LEAs also offer subgrants to other entities.
Funding for Professional Development
The new law, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) supports the learning and development of educators in enhancing their capacity to help students succeed and includes new provisions aimed to help educators grow.
Title III - Grants & Sub Grants
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) provides funding for programs aimed at improving the proficiency of LEP students. This document summarizes the funding provisions of the formula grant program under Title III of the Act.
English Acquisition State Grants
This Department of Education website describes this program, which is designed to improve the education of limited English proficient (LEP) children and youths by helping them learn English and meet challenging state academic content and student academic achievement standards. The program provides enhanced instructional opportunities for immigrant children and youths. Funds are distributed to states based on a formula that takes into account the number of immigrant and LEP students in each state.
Title III Funding for Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students
This NASSP website provides information on Title III funding for ELL students. Download PDF
Grants and Subgrants for English Language Acquisition and Language Enhancement
This U.S. Department of Education web site defines in the case of each state educational agency having a plan approved by the secretary for a fiscal year under section 3113, the secretary shall make a grant for the year to the agency for the purposes specified in subsection (b). The grant shall consist of the allotment determined for the state educational agency under subsection. Grants and subgrants for eligible parties are offered. (Part 1)
Grants to Native Americans and Alaska Natives for Career and Technical Education (NACTEP)
Native American Career and Technical Education Programs (NACTEP) provides grants to federally recognized Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities and eligible BIE-funded schools to improve career and technical education programs that are consistent with the purposes of the Perkins Act and that benefit Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. NACTEP assists in the preparation of Native American students for the high-skill, high-wage or high-demand occupations in emerging or established professions.
Office of Impact Aid Program
This Department of Education website follows The Impact Aid law (now Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) provides millions of dollars for assistance to local school districts. Impact Aid Application
Migrant Education State Formula Grants
This U.S. Department of Education website offers information about Migrant Education—Basic State Formula Grants Programs. Funds support high quality education programs for migratory children and help ensure that migratory children who move among the states are not penalized in any manner by disparities among states in curriculum, graduation requirements or state academic content and student academic achievement standards.
Funds also ensure that migratory children not only are provided with appropriate education services (including supportive services) that address their special needs, but also that such children receive full and appropriate opportunities to meet the same challenging state academic content and student academic achievement standards that all children are expected to meet.
Migrant Education: College Assistance Migrant Program
This link goes to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Migrant Education information on the College Assistance Migrant Program.
Special Education Grants for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Students
This Northern Arizona University website showcases special education grants, such as: Preparing Rural Inclusive Multicultural Exceptional-educators (PRIME) grant, Culturally Responsive ESL Special Education Training (CREST) grant for ELLs, Preparing Rural Inclusive Special Educators (PRISE) grant, Rural Inclusive Special Educators (RISE) grant, Bilingual Rural Inclusive Development for General and Exceptional-educators (BRIDGE) grant for Navajo, Hopi and Mexican-American students, Developing Rural Exceptional-educators to Address Multicultural Students (DREAM) grant and the Limited-English-proficient-students Education for All Professionals (LEAP) grant.