Title II, Part A was originally authorized as Eisenhower Professional Development and the Class Size Reduction programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, was reauthorized in 2001 by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). While ESSA was authorized in December of 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 extended the date by which certain parts of the Act would be effective. ESSA is in full effect as of July 1, 2017. 

Title II, Part A Supporting Effective Instruction Grant funds are obtained by a State on the basis of the United States Department of Education’s (USDE) approval of either (1) an individual State plan or (2) a consolidated application that includes the program. Through the program, state and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) receive funds using a USDE provided formula based on poverty and population.

The purpose of the Title II, Part A grant is:

• to increase student achievement consistent with challenging State academic standards,
• to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals and other school leaders,
• to increase the number of teachers, principals and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools, and
• to provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals and other school leaders.