Effective Use of Technology Home

Special 15% Infrastructure Rule

LEAs or consortiums of LEAs may not spend more than 15% of funding in this section on devices, equipment, software applications, platforms, digital instructional resources, and/or other one-time IT purchases. 
 

An LEA may not use more than 15% of the portion of funds identified for the effective use of technology content area to purchase technology infrastructure, including the purchase of:

• devices, equipment, and software applications to address academic readiness shortfalls; 

• blended learning technology software and platforms; 

• digital instructional resources; 

• initial professional development activities; and

• one-time information technology purchases.

Purchases for technology infrastructure may not include significant construction or the renovation of facilities. The remaining 85% of the funds for this content area must focus on human capacity—primarily professional development, training, and strategic implementation. 

Reference ESEA Section 4109 (a)(2)(B) and ESEA Section 4109 (a)(4)(A)

Title IV-A funds must supplement (add to) and not supplant (replace) state or local tax dollars. For example, a district cannot use Title IV-A funds to replace local funds previously used for mandatory state testing devices.

Every expenditure under Title IV-A must tie directly back to the district’s comprehensive needs assessment. A district cannot simply purchase new STEM curriculum; it must have local data showing a documented need for that supplemental curriculum.