The American education funding landscape is changing with many pandemic-related ESSER
funds set to expire. Did you know that ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) funds can be used to
purchase a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum?
We’ve been hearing from our Zones Community that you’re looking for creative
solutions to challenging budget issues that stand in the way of student success.
By understanding essential funding sources, we can work together to connect your learners
with the critical social emotional learning that they need and deserve – while supporting you,
the educators, with the essential training needed to build high-quality instruction and climates that
support wellbeing for all.
Under ESSA, there are 3 main funding streams that can support SEL initiatives:
- Title I, Part A: These funds are designated to support schools with high numbers of
learners from low-income families. They can be used to provide programs and resources
to improve academic achievement, which can include SEL programs. - Title II, Part A: This section focuses on preparing, training, and recruiting high-quality
teachers, principals, and other school leaders. Funds can be used for professional
development, including training on SEL practices and implementation. - Title IV, Part A: The Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAE) are
particularly relevant for SEL. These grants are intended to improve academic
achievement by increasing the capacity of schools to provide all learners with access to
a well-rounded education, improving conditions for learning, and improving the use of
technology.
The Zones of Regulation Digital Curriculum and Zones Training programs fit well under these
various funding streams, helping to achieve the objectives consistently set forth since ESSA legislation
was established in 1965.
More Information and Assistance
There are many additional funding sources that we’re planning to highlight for our Zones
community in the months ahead. In the meantime, here are a couple of valuable resources for
you as you prepare for the school year ahead.
Grants.gov provides a searchable database of available grant opportunities from
numerous government agencies. Users can search by keyword, agency, category, or
eligibility criteria.
The Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has also
published extensive resources. Learn more here.
If you need help, our team may be able to help with assistance on grant applications. Send us a
message to info@zonesofregulation.com.
