Random Validations – Title IV, Part A

Random Validations – Title IV, Part A

January 19, 2021 | Grants Management

This is the third in a series of program checkups. Click here for the first article on Title I, Part A, and click here for the second review on Title II, Part A.

Collaboration and planning are key in ESSA program compliance, and Title IV is very similar to Title II regarding documenting your stakeholder planning meetings. Today’s article will review documentation of those planning meetings, as well as the program-specific Title IV requirements. CSS is hopeful that our series of program checkups will help make end of year compliance reporting a breeze!

CSS stands ready to assist our client charters with ESSA compliance, including identification of possible areas of noncompliance, advising corrective actions needed, and making sure auditing documents are in order.

What are the requirements for Title IV, Part A?

The 2020-21 Random Validation Matrix is an excellent resource for Title IV program compliance. Please click here to view the matrix.

Key Component of Title IV

Did the LEA engage in timely and meaningful consultation with a broad range of stakeholders as part of their process in determining the targeted areas of improvement related to students’ access to effective program activities?

When selecting “a broad range of stakeholders” it is important to include representatives who have knowledge of the three goals of Title IV in addition to community and parent representatives.

  1. Supporting Well-Rounded Education – Members might include partners from a college, community organization, or business. Other examples include persons with knowledge of college and career guidance and counseling programs, financial literacy, music and arts programs, STEM subjects, and community service programs.
  2. Supporting Safe and Healthy Students – Members might include law enforcement, mental health and counseling providers, athletic trainers, nurses, and other crisis or violence prevention staff.
  3. Improve the Use of Technology – Members might include technology directors or trainers, curriculum integration specialists, or remote/online course designers. The focus should be on representatives who are experts at using technology to increase academic achievement.

What documentation is needed for Title IV Part A?

  • If receiving less than $30,000 LEA has a process to determine the program needs, including a committee decision if funds are to be transferred to other ESSA funds:
    • Agendas and/or meeting notes documenting stakeholder input
    • Sign-in sheets identifying stakeholders and roles/titles providing input
    • Documentation of process used to determine LEA program needs
    • Specified LEA data/reports tied to any of the three Title IVA content areas (well-rounded education, safe and healthy students, and the use of technology)
  • If receiving more than $30,000  LEA must conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment tied to the three Title IV goals, including if funds are to be transferred to other ESSA funds:
    • Copy of Dated CNA
    • Sign-in sheets/list of stakeholders and roles/titles participating with CNA
    • Agendas/minutes of CNA meetings
    • Results of CNA
    • Process of CNA and/or specified data collection
    • Stakeholders participating in data collection discussions
    • Meeting notes of data reviews
    • Documentation showing correlation of data to student needs and/or effective program activities
    • Specified LEA data tied to the three Title IVA content areas (well-rounded education, safe and healthy students, and the use of technology)

Title IV offers a very broad range of possible activities. An excellent resource listing the types of activities is available at this link under “Allowable Activities” on page 18: Non-Regulatory Guidance Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants.

Have questions?

Visit the Charter School Community Roundtable, and ask questions and discuss this topic.

Need some assistance?

Please contact us!