Title IV-A

ESSA, Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Program

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law in December 2015. It reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Newly authorized under subpart 1 of Title IV, Part A of the ESEA is the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program. The SSAE program is intended to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and local communities to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; improve school conditions for student learning; and improve the use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. 

• Improving access to foreign language instruction, arts and music education

• Supporting college and career counseling, including providing information on opportunities for financial aid through the early FAFSA.

• Providing programming to improve instruction and student engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including access to these subjects for underrepresented groups.

• Promoting access to accelerated learning opportunities including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high schools.

• Strengthening instruction in American history, civics, economics, geography, government education, and environmental education.

• Promoting community and parental involvement in schools.

• Providing school-based mental health services and counseling.

• Promoting supportive school climates to reduce the use of exclusionary discipline and promoting supportive school discipline.

• Establishing or improving dropout prevention.

• Supporting the re-entry programs and transition services for justice-involved youth.

• Implementing programs that support a healthy, active lifestyle (nutritional and physical education).

• Implementing systems and practices to prevent bullying and harassment.

• Developing relationship building to help improve safety through the recognition and prevention of coercion, violence, or abuse.

• Establishing community partnerships.

• Supporting high-quality professional development for educators, school leaders, and administrators to personalize learning and improve academic achievement.

• Building technological capacity and infrastructure.

• Carrying out innovative blended learning projects.

• Providing students in rural, remote and underserved areas with the resources to benefit from high-quality digital learning opportunities.

• Delivering specialized or rigorous academic courses and curricula using technology, including digital learning technologies and assistive technology.