NAESP believes that:
Financial support for public education must be shared by local, state, and federal governments and that sufficient and equitable funding for public education is necessary to support an educated, skilled workforce that can compete in a global economy;
Federal funding is an essential component of more equitable education systems. As such, federal funding should be dispersed through targeted formula grants, not competitive grants, because formula grants ensure that federal funds are spent on the most disadvantaged students and districts in need and because they constitute an important and reliable source of funds for schools serving large numbers of historically underserved students; and
Financial support should be increased and it should be predictable and continuous, with greater building-level authority in the allocation, distribution, and use of funds at the school level; and
Federal and state governments as well as school districts must provide sufficient resources and time for principal professional learning opportunities.
NAESP recommends FY24 funding increases for key federal programs supporting students and schools:
TITLE I Grants Local Education Agencies: $20.5 billion (+$2.1 billion)
- Provides financial support to local educational agencies (LEAs) to help meet the needs of socio-economically disadvantaged students.
TITLE II, PART A Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants: $2.4 billion (+$210 million)
- Provides formula grants to states and districts to strengthen professional development opportunities for teachers and principals.
- Helps districts fund principal residencies, expand job-embedded and cohort-based professional learning, and boost mentorship opportunities for aspiring principals.
TITLE IV, PART A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment State Grants: $1.48 billion (+100 million)
- Supports activities in three broad areas: 1) a well-rounded education, 2) student health and safety (including mental health), and 3) technology in schools.
IDEA State Grants: $16.26 billion (+2.07 billion)
- Assists state and local educational agencies in educating students with disabilities.
- Would increase the federal contribution to 13% toward the goal of 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure.
School Leadership Recruitment and Support Program (SLRSP): $40 million (+$40 million)
- Previously known as the School Leadership Program, which NAESP worked with Congress to create in 2001, the program focuses on recruiting, mentoring, and training principals and assistant principals to serve in high-need schools.
TITLE I Grants Local Education Agencies: $20.5 billion (+$2.1 billion)
- Provides financial support to local educational agencies (LEAs) to help meet the needs of socio-economically disadvantaged students.
Head Start: $13.1 billion (+$1.1 billion)
- Provides early education services to more than 1 million 3–5-year-olds annually.
Take Action
Advocate for your students and school by going to the NAESP Advocacy Action Center to send a message to Congress about this important issue.
Did You Know?
Making Better Matches in Teacher Residency
Principal, March/April 2024: Math Instruction, Volume 103, Issue 4Read More3 strategies for establishing good teacher resident–cooperating teacher pairs.
A Dynamic SEL Curriculum for Grades 6 to 8
Principal, March/April 2024: Math Instruction, Volume 103, Issue 4Read MoreSchool uses rotation classes to emphasize skills that students in each grade need to practice.
Demystify DEI for New Teachers
Principal, March/April 2024: Math Instruction, Volume 103, Issue 4Read MoreHow principals can help early career educators address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in and out of the classroom.
The New Law About Math
Principal, March/April 2024: Math Instruction, Volume 103, Issue 4Read MoreHow to handle changes to thecurriculum mandated by statelegislators.
Innovative Math Instruction
Principal, March/April 2024: Math Instruction, Volume 103, Issue 4Read MoreWhat innovative strategies have you used in your school to enhance math instruction?
Thank You, Volunteers
Principal, March/April 2024: Math Instruction, Volume 103, Issue 4Read MoreMember volunteer efforts have a profound impact on NAESP and the profession.
Empowered and Connected: How Surrounding Yourself with the Right People Propels Women in Education Leadership
Read MoreWomen in education leadership who surround themselves with the right people will find connection and support, feel less alone as leaders, and grow beyond what …
A Digital Revolution: Unveiling the Hurdles, Accelerators, and Tech Enablers Facing Educators
Communicator, March 2024, Volume 47, Issue 7Read MoreEmerging trends—new barriers, mega-trends, and tools—are shaping the education landscape at a faster pace than ever before. A California school leader examines…
Breaking Down Barriers to Student Attendance
Communicator, March 2024, Volume 47, Issue 7Read MoreAbsenteeism is a complex challenge requiring a multipronged approach. Schools must analyze data quickly, communicate effectively, promote cultural change, addr…
Celebrating Leaders, Shaping Futures: Honoring Our Middle-Level Educators
Read MoreAll March, during Middle-Level Education Month, we turn the spotlight on a group of educators who play a crucial role in guiding learners through some of their…
A Journey Toward Equity-Focused Leadership
Communicator, March 2024, Volume , IssueRead MoreNAESP’s new ebook delivers practical strategies to support student success.
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
Read MoreAs chronic absenteeism continues to rise, NAESP’s advocacy expert outlines how it affects students and schools and how NAESP and other education organizations …