About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

1 [1] (Updated September 30, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/govequr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Con re &cnaI fles~ h arming I len I ivede a 3rch Service since 1914 Updated September 30, 2024 Department of Education Support for School Safety Initiatives Congressional interest in elementary and secondary public school safety and security remains strong. Though public school safety and security is primarily a state and local responsibility, there are federal programs and initiatives that can support these efforts. This In Focus provides an overview of programs and resources administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for improving school safety. Currently Funded rant Programs ED currently administers two programs that can help state and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) address school safety concerns. Both programs are authorized under Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA; P.L. 114-95). Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants SSAE grants, commonly referred to as the block grant program, are authorized under ESEA Title IV-A. The purpose of SSAE grants is to improve students' academic achievement by increasing the capacity of states, LEAs, and schools to provide all students with access to a well- rounded education, improve school conditions for student learning, and improve the use of technology. SSAE grant funds are allocated by formula to each SEA, which must then suballocate the majority of the SSAE block grant funds they receive to LEAs via formula (though they may reserve some funds for state activities to support LEAs receiving grants). SSAE program appropriations were $1.38 billion in FY2024. LEAs have substantial flexibility with respect to the use of funds under the SSAE grant program. However, they must use funds for three broad categories of activities: (1) supporting well-rounded educational opportunities, (2) supporting safe and healthy students (including school safety initiatives), and (3) supporting the effective use of technology to improve the digital literacy of all students. If an LEA receives a grant of $30,000 or more, it must provide assurances that it will use funds toward activities in each of the three categories, including at least 20% for activities supporting safe and healthy students. If an LEA receives a grant of less than $30,000, it may choose to use its funds under one or more of the categories of activities. If an LEA uses any funds for safe and healthy student initiatives, the LEA determines how much will be used for activities unrelated to school safety (e.g., a health or nutrition education program) and initiatives focused on school safety. The programs and activities an LEA selects to support in the category of Safe and Healthy Students (§4108) must, among other requirements, be used to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive programs and activities that are coordinated with other schools and community-based services and programs; and foster safe, healthy, supportive, and drug-free environments that support student academic achievement. Examples of allowable activities in this category related to school safety include the following: * drug and violence prevention programs and activities that are evidence-based (to the extent that such evidence is reasonably available), * school-based mental health services, * bullying and harassment prevention programs and activities, * re-entry/transition programs for justice-involved youth, * mentoring and school counseling, * school-wide positive behavioral intervention and support (PBIS) programs, and * training for school personnel in trauma-informed practices in classroom management and crisis management. While drug and violence prevention activities are only examples of what an LEA might choose to support with Title IV-A funds, the Title IV-A program includes a definition of what constitutes drug and violence prevention in Section 4102(5). With respect to violence prevention, the term is defined as: the promotion of school safety, such that students and school personnel are free from violent and disruptive acts, including sexual harassment and abuse, and victimization associated with prejudice and intolerance, on school premises, going to and from school, and at school-sponsored activities, through the creation and maintenance of a school environment that is free of weapons and fosters individual responsibility and respect for the rights of others. National Activities for School Safety are authorized under Title IV-F-3, Section 4631 of the ESEA. The National Activities for School Safety program authorizes the Secretary of Education (hereinafter referred to as the Secretary) to use a portion of its funds for the Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) program. Any remaining funds may be used to carry out other activities to improve students' safety and well-being, during and after the school day, through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with public and private organizations or individuals, or through agreements with other federal agencies. FY2024 appropriations for all

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most