Funding and Grants

While the majority of schools use textbook adoption funds to purchase TCI materials, there are many opportunities to purchase programs outside of the adoption cycle. Below are suggestions that may help you find sources for your classroom, your school, or your district.

Federal Funding

Federal funding for education is at an all-time high. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is providing nearly $38 billion this year to states and school districts, primarily through formula-based grant programs, to improve elementary and secondary schools and meet the special needs of students. The vast majority of education spending still occurs at the state and local levels. However, federal funding has increased dramatically over the last few years. This trend is opening new opportunities for funding in the social studies. Another important change is increased federal flexibility in how funds are spent. Federal flexibility allows state and local school districts to transfer up to 50 percent of the funding they receive for Teacher Quality, Education Technology, Innovative Programs, and Safe and Drug-Free Schools to any of these programs or to Title I. This allows for more local discretion to determine which programs are most important to fund.

Federal Funding Glossary

Title I The largest federal formula grant.

It provides districts with extra resources to help improve instruction in high-poverty schools. The purpose of this funding is to ensure that poor and minority children have the same opportunity as their peers to meet academic standards.

Title IIA Improving Teacher Quality (formerly Eisenhower and Class Size Reduction)

Flexible formula grant that reduces class sizes and provides professional development activities that will improve academic achievement.

Title IIC Teaching American History Grant

The goal of this competitive grant is to support programs that raise student achievement by improving teachers’ knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for American history. Learn more details on our Teaching American History Grant page.

Title IID Education Technology

Promotes innovative state and local initiatives using technology to increase academic achievement. Funds are distributed by the state with half the funding going to competitive grants and half going to formula grants for eligible districts.

Title III English Language Association (formerly Bilingual)

Provides funding to districts that have a significant number of LEP children or those that have experienced a significant increase in immigrant children. Funding can be used for services and activities, such as instructional materials, educational software, tutoring, and curriculum development.

Title IVA Safe and Drug Free Schools

Promotes drug and violence prevention through professional development and programs.

Title IVB 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Establishes funds for learning centers that provide opportunities for academic session activities that help children meet academic performance standards. Funding is for before- and after-school initiatives, weekend and summer programs. This is a competitive grant.

Title VA Innovative Programs

This formula grant is very flexible and is used to improve student achievement by implementing broad-based reform efforts and other innovative educational improvement practices. Funding can be used for professional development and instructional materials.

Title VIB Rural Education Program

Addresses the needs of rural school districts that lack the personnel and resources needed to compete for federal competitive grants or who receive allocations in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their purposes.

• Teaching American History Grant