Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction) is a federal formula grant that helps districts recruit, train and keep great teachers and school leaders. For a coding and robotics program, it's the money that pays for professional development, not for kits.
What Title II-A pays for
- Evidence-based professional development for teachers, principals and other school leaders, including training that helps teachers use technology and teach new subjects well.
- Teacher recruitment, induction, mentoring and retention.
- Reducing class size, in some cases.
Like other ESSA funds, Title II-A must supplement, not supplant, state and local money, and districts can transfer it to other titles if their needs call for it.
How to get Title II-A funds for training
Ask your district's federal programs office or professional learning lead while the next year's plan is being built, usually in spring. Describe who will be trained, what they'll learn, how it connects to student outcomes and how you'll follow up in classrooms.
Funding outlook
Congress funded Title II-A at about $2.19 billion for fiscal 2026, which pays for the 2026-27 school year. Since October 1, 2026, federal programs have run on a continuing resolution at fiscal 2026 levels through December 11, 2026. The administration's fiscal 2027 budget request would end Title II-A as a separate program and fold it into a new state block grant; Congress hasn't decided.
Training that fits Title II-A
- Free self-paced courses come with every Forward Education kit, so teachers can start without a training budget.
- Live virtual PD starts at $1,000 for a 90-minute session, led by our team, so teachers can get started with the Coding for Good Kit and with AI literacy using MicroChat.
- Pair Title II-A training with a kit purchase from Title IV-A or local funds, so teachers practice with the same tools their students use.
Frequently asked questions
Can Title II-A buy coding kits?
Generally no. Title II-A pays for educator training and support. Use Title IV-A, Title I or local funds for student materials.
Can Title II-A pay for computer science PD?
Yes, when it's part of your district's plan and meets the program's evidence and quality expectations.
Who decides?
Your district, through its consolidated application to the state.
How can Forward Education help?
We can map our lessons to your state standards, write an official quote, show how a purchase fits the program's allowable uses, and provide a letter of support. Contact our grant team.
Sources: Every Student Succeeds Act, Title II, Part A; fiscal 2026 appropriations and fiscal 2027 continuing resolution (P.L. 119-103); U.S. Department of Education fiscal 2027 budget request. Checked November 1, 2026.
