Federal Grant Programs 2026-2027

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Federal Grant Programs 2026-2027
Stakeholders Engagement and Feedback
August 19, 2026

Stakeholder Engagement is the process of communicating to, learning from, and partnering with stakeholders that acknowledges the unique needs and strengths of the stakeholders involved.

Purpose: Learn about these grants and gain an understanding of how our District allocates these funds to help ensure an equitable education for all of our students.

The Upper Merion Area School District receives Federal funding in four categories: 
Title I: Supplemental educational grants for schools with high student poverty counts to improve academic achievement.
Title II: Grants dedicated to training, recruiting, and preparing high-quality teachers and principals.
Title III: Language instruction and support programs for limited English proficient (LEP) and immigrant students.
Title IV: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAEG) targeting safe, healthy, and well-rounded learning environments.
 
Title I: Overview

Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. 

• Eligibility is based on Free and Reduced Lunch Percentages
• Funds are allocated to the following schools 
  • Bridgeport Elementary School  - (2) Reading Specialists, (2) ESL Teachers and (1) Instructional Aide
  • Upper Merion Area Middle School - Lead Teacher & Reading Specialist
  • Non-public schools
• Supplies and Materials for Parent and Family Engagement
• Homeless set-aside

UMASD Equity Plan

LEAs that choose to accept Title I funding are required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 to develop an equity plan to ensure that their poor and minority students in Title I schools are not being taught at a disproportionate rate by teachers who are ineffective, inexperienced, or who are teaching out of field.
Bridgeport Parent and Family Engagement Policy

Title I: 2025-2026 Updates

Bridgeport Elementary School: 

• MTSS - benchmarking in reading with support for data analysis and interventions

Parent & Family Engagement (examples from previous years)

• Book Vending Machine for rewards and home reading
• Take Home Books for Summer
• Workshops on Curriculum

Title II: Overview

The purpose of the program is to provide grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) and subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to increase student achievement consistent with the challenging State academic standards; improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders; increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.

Funding is allocated for:

• Salary and Benefits for (1) ESL Teacher at the Middle School
• Non-public schools

Title III: Overview

The overarching purpose is to ensure that English learner (EL) students, including immigrant children and youth, attain English language proficiency (ELP) and meet the same challenging state academic standards that other students are expected to meet.

Funding is allocated for:

• Salary and Benefits for (2) ESL Instructional Aide
• Supplies for Parent and Family Engagement
• Salaries for ESL ADULT classes

Title IV: Overview

Title IV (Student Support and Academic Achievement Grants) provides funding* for three areas: 

• Well-Rounded Education - Assessment and Intervention Systems
• Safe and Healthy School  - Social & Emotional Learning - materials to support - MTSS Behavior & Restorative Practices 
• Effective Use of Technology - Digital Applications and STEM Equipment
• Non-public Schools

*Schools receive funding and have flexibility in the amount and the way they spend these federal funds.

Nonpublic Schools - Allocations

Title I - Partner with MCIU/DCIU to provide remediation services to nonpublic eligible schools (Follow the student)

Title II - Professional Development focus for nonpublic eligible schools within the UMASD catchment area provided by the MCIU.

Title III - Support for ELs through screenings , resources, and professional learning for nonpublic eligible schools within the UMASD catchment area.

Title IV - Funding for materials with a focus on STEM.

Stakeholder Feedback Form