Title II-A Funding for Catholic School Leadership

What Is Title II, Part A?

Title II, Part A is a federal program under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that provides funding to improve the quality of teachers and school leaders. It's one of the most widely available — and most underused — funding sources for Catholic school professional development.

Under the law, public school districts are required to provide equitable services to eligible private school teachers and leaders, including those in Catholic schools. This means your local public school district must set aside a proportionate share of Title II-A funds for private school participation.

Key point: These funds are already allocated. If your Catholic school or diocese isn't requesting them, the money goes unused or is redirected. You're leaving federal dollars on the table.

What Title II-A Can Pay For

Title II-A equitable services funding can cover exactly the kinds of support Seton Educational Services provides:

Principal coaching and mentoring — one-on-one leadership development
Professional development workshops — for principals and teachers
New principal onboarding programs — structured support for first-year leaders
Leadership assessments and growth plans — data-driven development
Mentoring program design — diocese-wide principal mentoring systems
Conference attendance — NCEA, NAESP, and other leadership conferences

How to Access Title II-A Funding

Identify your LEA contact. Every Catholic school falls within a public school district (Local Education Agency). Find the Title II-A coordinator at your district. Your diocesan school office likely has this contact information.
Submit a request for consultation. Under ESSA, the public school district must consult with private schools about how to use equitable services funds. This consultation typically happens in the spring for the following school year.
Propose specific services. Present a clear plan: "We want to use Title II-A funds for principal coaching and professional development through Seton Educational Services." Include the scope, cost, and expected outcomes.
The district contracts with the provider. The public school district pays the consultant directly — no money passes through the Catholic school. The district manages the funds and the contract.
Services are delivered. Seton Educational Services provides coaching, workshops, or mentoring as agreed. The school or diocese pays nothing out of pocket.

Timing matters: Most districts hold their private school consultation meetings in March through May. If you miss the window, you may have to wait until the next fiscal year. Now is the time to act.

Common Myths About Title II-A

"Catholic schools can't use federal money."

Fact: They absolutely can.

ESSA explicitly requires equitable participation of private school students and teachers. The money doesn't go to the school — it goes to the service provider. The school benefits without receiving or managing federal funds.

"Our district won't work with us on this."

Fact: They're legally required to.

Federal law mandates that districts consult with private schools and provide equitable services. If a district is unresponsive, the diocesan school office can escalate to the state education agency or file an ombudsman complaint.

"The amount available is too small to matter."

Fact: Even modest funds can cover meaningful support.

Title II-A allocations vary by district, but even $3,000-$5,000 can fund several months of coaching sessions or a full-day professional development workshop. Pooling funds across multiple schools in a diocese can fund a comprehensive mentoring program.

"Using federal money means federal strings attached."

Fact: The school retains full autonomy.

Title II-A services must be secular, neutral, and non-ideological. Leadership coaching, strategic planning, and professional development easily meet this standard. The Catholic school's mission and identity are not affected.

How Seton Educational Services Can Help

Navigating Title II-A can feel complicated, especially the first time. Dr. Cascone has guided dioceses and schools through this process and can help you:

Identify the right contacts at your local public school district
Prepare your consultation request and service proposal
Structure services to align with Title II-A requirements
Provide all necessary documentation for the district

The bottom line: if you've been told "we can't afford leadership coaching," Title II-A may be your answer.