English Language Learner KnowledgeBase for Administrators & Teachers

ESEA and Paraprofessionals

This document is published by the National Education Association for ESEA and Paraprofessionals.

Building Systems of Support for Excellent Teaching and Leading

On September 27, 2016, U.S. Department of Education guidance shows it is critical that state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) consider how to best use Title II, Part A funds, among other funding sources, to ensure equity of educational opportunity. New provisions in Title II, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), offer new opportunities SEAs and LEAs to more effectively attract, select, place, support and retain excellent educators, revisit traditional uses of these funds and consider new and additional uses of Title II, Part A funds that are innovative and evidence-based.  

Strategies outlined in this document, and examples of this work in action, can often be supported by other sources of funding, as well, and should not be thought of as tools, policies or programs only made possible through the use of Title II, Part A funds. This initial Title II, Part A guidance is not exhaustive; rather it highlights some of the new and important ways SEAs and LEAs can use their Title II, Part A funds more strategically and for greater impact.

Definition of Bilingual Education

This is a general definition of bilingual education.

ESSA Title III Guidance for ELLs

The U.S. Department of Education issued a guidance document on September 23, 2016, to provide states and local educational agencies with information to assist them in meeting their obligations under Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. This guidance addresses how Title III funds may be used to provide supplemental services that improve the English language proficiency and academic achievement of ELLs, including through the provision of language instruction educational programs and activities to increase the knowledge and skills of teachers who serve ELLs.

Definition - Professional Development

The document offers the definition for professional development included in Title IX of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

ESSA Title II and Support for Educators Frequently Asked Questions

ESSA ensures that all educators are properly credentialed, so all students have access to high quality instruction.

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.

Information for Parents' Rights

Information is designed to assist local educational agencies, schools and parents in meeting the requirements of parental involvement provisionsrequired under Title I, Part A.

Teacher Effectiveness Under the Every Student Succeeds Act

This is a discussion guide presented by the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders about teacher effectiveness under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Teacher Qualifications

This document, prepared by the U.S. Department of Education, provides guidance on Building Systems of Support for Excellent Teaching and Leading.

Building Teacher Capacity to Support English Language Learners

This article published is by National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance.

Common Qualifications for English Language Teachers

This International Association website offers instructions to individuals who wish to pursue a career teaching English to speakers of other languages can choose from several pathways to establish their teaching qualifications. 

Paraprofessional Qualifications and Duties

This document provides information on paraprofessional requirements available at each state education agency's website.

Teacher and Paraprofessionals Quality

This resource provides external links to presentations on teacher and paraprofessional qualifications presented at the First Annual Student Achievement and School Accountability Conference: Using Title I Programs as a Model for Reform sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education in October 2002.

Understanding ESSA: Professional Development

This website provides articles, news and state/federal activity on the topic of professional development via ESSA.