THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION recently announced a new grant competition, the Teacher and School Leader (TSL) program, focused on training educators working in high-need schools “where equal educational opportunity is particularly important for historically underserved students.” According to the program website, TSL is designed to assist local and state agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, in developing and expanding “performance-based compensation systems or human capital management systems for teachers, principals, and other school leaders… who raise student academic achievement and close the achievement gap.”
To fuel the TSL program, the Obama Administration has requested $250 million for 2017, but that funding relies on future Congress appointments and decisions. The Department estimates about $159 million in available funds for the next fiscal year.
Awards are expected to range between $500,000 and $12 million for project periods up to 36 months, with renewal of up two additional years. The program deadline is March 24, 2017 and applicants must submit their intent to apply by February 4, 2017.
