Pflugerville ISD has applied for two grants for the 2024-25 school year that would use federal funds for special education services and improving the quality of programs for low-income students.

Chief Academic and Innovation Officer Adelaida Olivarez provided the board of trustees with information on the grants during a June 20 board meeting.

Two-minute impact

According to Olivarez, there are two federal grants the district will apply to renew: the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA; and the Individuals with Disabilities Act, Part B, or IDEA-B. These federal funds are intended to supplement district funds, not supplant or replace other funding.

According to PfISD documents, ESSA grant resources improve the quality of education programs and ensure low-income students in particular have access to a level playing field with state assessments. It is divided into four title parts of different amounts:

• Title I, Part A: $3.6 million to improve basic programs, including intervention resources
• Title II, Part A: $590,474 to support effective instruction, including professional learning
• Title III, Part A: $655,422 for English language acquisition and academic achievement, including emergent bilingual personnel, and $88,253 for immigrant children and youth, including transcript validation for students who come from different countries
• Title IV, Part A: $270,068 for student support and academic enrichment, including mental health services

IDEA-B is a law that makes free, appropriate public education available to eligible children with disabilities, Olivarez said, helping to ensure special education programs and related services. The federal grant funds cover excess, not routine, costs.

• IDEA-B Formula: $4.2 million for personnel, parent engagement and professional and contracted services
• IDEA-B Preschool: $51,841 for personnel, supplies and materials

What else?

Community members who have questions or would like to provide feedback on the grant applications can do so here.