Grants for State Assessments and Related Activities
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The purpose of this program is: to pay the costs of developing the standards and high-quality assessments required by Title I of the ESEA. Once a State has put in place those standards and assessments, it may use program funds to pay for the administration of the assessments and for other activities related to ensuring that the State’s schools and LEAs are held accountable for results and helping students attain challenging academic standards linked to college- and career-readiness. Such activities may include, among other things, developing standards and assessments in subjects other than those required by Title I, refining State assessments to ensure continued alignment with standards, expanding the range of testing accommodations for students with disabilities and for English Learner students, developing multiple measures to ensure the validity and reliability of State assessments, and using academic assessment instruments such as performance and technology-based assessments or computer adaptive assessments to better reflect the kind of complex work students do in an effective classroom and the real world.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State governments
State educational agencies.
Beneficiaries
- 22
- 4
- 5
- 52
States and local educational agencies.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
The Department will allocate funds to any State whose State application submission demonstrates that funds will be used for covered activities and that costs associated with those activities are reasonable.
Approximately 30-90 days.
Program details & compliance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
State educational agencies must use these funds to carry out the responsibilities described in Section 1201 of the ESEA. Funds may be used to support the development of the State assessments and standards required by Section 1111(b) of the ESEA or, if a State has developed the assessments and standards required by Section 1111(b), then to support the administration of those assessments or to carry out other activities related to improving the quality of those assessments.
Required Documentation
This program is included for coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
Funds appropriated for State Assessment Grants are distributed to the States through a formula under which each State receives $3 million and any amounts remaining are distributed based on each State’s relative share of the total population of children aged 5 through 17.