Purpose
To increase academic achievement by improving teacher and principal quality;
To increase the number of highly qualified teachers in classrooms;
To improve the skills of principals and assistant principals in schools;
To increase the effectiveness of teachers and principals by holding LEAs and schools accountable for improvements in student academic achievement; and
To combine the former Eisenhower Professional Development Program and the former Class-Size Reduction Initiative into one funding program.
Uses of Funds
To recruit, hire and retain highly qualified teachers and principals;
To provide research-based, high-quality professional development activities;
To support the acquisition of advanced degrees to the extent that doing so is consistent with the LEA's needs assessment and local plan;
To provide training activities to enhance the involvement of parents in their child's education;
To pay the salary of a highly qualified replacement teacher when the regular classroom teacher is on sabbatical;
To pay the costs of State tests required of new teachers to determine whether they have subject matter competency and to assist them in meeting State certification requirements;
To purchase supplies or instructional materials used as part of professional development activities and;
To carry out teacher advancement initiatives that promotes professional growth.