Title IV-A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment
Eligibility
All California local educational agencies (LEAs) are eligible for Title IV-A funds. Allocations are formula-based, but districts must spend a minimum threshold before accessing certain provisions. Districts with allocations of $30,000 or more must conduct a comprehensive needs assessment before spending.
- Eligible: All California public school districts and charter schools
- Districts receiving $30K+ must conduct a needs assessment
- Funds divided across three pillars: well-rounded education, technology, and school safety
- Technology programs must spend no more than 15% on devices alone (content and PD required)
Program Goals
Title IV-A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants have three pillars. The first is well-rounded educational opportunities - programs like STEM, arts, music, and foreign language. The second is technology and computer science - expanding access to coding, CS education, and digital learning tools. The third is school safety and mental health.
The technology pillar explicitly includes computer science education, coding, robotics, and physical computing. This makes Title IV-A one of the most direct federal funding sources for classroom coding and STEM programs.
Application and Distribution
Title IV-A is included in the consolidated ESSA grant application that California LEAs submit to CDE each year. No separate competitive process is needed. Districts receive their allocation based on enrollment and include a spending plan as part of their consolidated application.
Grant Award Amount
Nationally, Title IV-A is funded at approximately $1.3 billion per year. District allocations in California range widely - small districts may receive $10,000-$50,000, while large urban districts can receive $500,000 or more. Even smaller allocations are enough to purchase classroom sets of STEM kits.
Allowable Purchases
STEM Equipment, Coding Tools, and CS Curriculum
Title IV-A explicitly funds computer science education, physical computing, robotics, and technology tools. This is one of the clearest federal authorizations for purchasing classroom coding kits and curriculum.
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micro:bit Classroom Kits
Physical computing kits that align directly to the technology pillar of Title IV-A. Supports CS education and coding skills across grade levels K-12. -
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit
AI literacy curriculum and tools that qualify under both the technology and well-rounded education pillars. Introduces students to computing concepts with real-world relevance. -
Coding for Climate Kit
Connects coding to environmental science, qualifying under the well-rounded education pillar. Strong cross-curricular purchase with clear academic outcomes.
Keep in Mind
Districts can't spend more than 15% of Title IV-A funds on hardware alone. You must include content, curriculum, or professional development alongside any technology purchases. Buying kits that include curriculum (like Forward Education's) satisfies this requirement.
Districts receiving $30,000 or more must complete a needs assessment before finalizing their spending plan. Document how your community's needs connect to coding and CS education.
If you have unmet needs in both STEM and school safety, you can split your allocation across pillars. Most districts with strong STEM plans concentrate their funds in the technology pillar.
STEM-arts integration projects can draw from the well-rounded education pillar. Coding and physical computing projects tied to creative or media arts learning are a good fit here.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents - TEKS, Common Core, and state standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing - classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support - documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence - ready-to-use program outlines
Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
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