646309 - District Level Evidence Based Professional Development Grant
Funding Opportunity Details

ESEA Competitive Grants

Final Application Deadline: Jan 16, 2026 11:59 PM

Description

•  District-Level Evidence Based Professional Development Grant

   

  Competitive Grant Opportunity Total Amount of Funds Available: Up to $1,000,000.

   

  Grant Purpose and Requirements:

   

  Districts identified with a Priority rating on the Iowa School Performance Profile are eligible for support to build district-level capacity and strengthen alignment of processes through professional development. Grant funds must be used for professional learning that aligns with and supports district and building action plans, ensuring effective implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Professional development should focus intentionally on identified student groups, particularly students with disabilities, and align the district’s IDEA-DA designation with building-level ESSA action plans. District plans must include monitoring of professional learning through implementation of district-level EBPs, regular data collection, embedded coaching, and ongoing analysis to support reflection and refinement. Anticipated outcomes include a reduction in the achievement gap between the overall student population and identified student groups, improved overall school performance, and the establishment of a sustainable system of support to ensure coordinated and intentional implementation of building-level improvement plans.

   

  • Student Achievement Data

    • Provide a description of district-level student achievement data, including data for identified student groups.
       

  • District Action Plan

    • Describe the district action plan, including:
      a. Intentional professional development for system-level improvement.
      b. EBPs to be implemented as a result of professional development.
      c. Alignment of the plan with the district’s IDEA-DA designation.
      d. System support and embedded coaching as part of district implementation.
      e. Monitoring of the professional learning’s impact on implemented EBPs.

   

  • Implementation at the Building Level

    • Outline how the district action plan will influence individual school buildings, including:
      a. Coaching and feedback provided at the building level to support plan implementation.
      b. Monitoring the effect of professional learning on implemented EBPs.
      c. Evaluation of the plan’s effectiveness.
       

  • Projected Cost

    • Provide a budget table detailing how funds will be used for professional learning to implement EBPs, align district and building action plans, build leadership capacity, and sustain system-level support.

   

  Allocations:

  Awards (See the Scoring Rubric) Application available on IowaGrants.gov

  Districts may apply for awards according to the sum from the table below.

  District Designations	District Application Maximum
  District designation includes Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) or Multiple Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) IDEA-DA Level 3 Priority District Designation	$300,000
  District designation includes Priority District Designation Multiple buildings served	$100,000
  District designation includes Priority District Designation	$50,000

   

  Contact Information:

  Heidi Anthony-Plahn

  [email protected]

  515-326-1029

   

  Sarah Seney

  [email protected]

  515-494-9534  

   

   

  It is the policy of the Iowa Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, political party affiliation, or actual or potential parental, family or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code sections 216.9 and 256.10(2), Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S.C.§§ 1681 – 1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.). 

  If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy by the Iowa Department of Education, contact the legal counsel for the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, Telephone: 515-281-5295, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: [email protected].

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