Parents must be involved in the decision-making process that impacts the parent and family engagement (PFE) policy/plan, programs, and activities. Participating Title I, Part A LEAs and schools must fulfill and implement PFE requirements of Section 1116 of ESSA regardless of allocation.

Funding Requirements

There are specific funding requirements for LEAs with a Title I allocation over $500,000.

1) LEAs must reserve at least one percent to fund PFE activities:

• Involve parents in the decision-making on how to spend PFE funds.
• Create opportunities for parent feedback; listen to what parents say about engagement activities.

2) Schools must allocate no less than 90 percent of the 1 percent set aside for parent and family engagement to participating schools – with priority given to high-need schools.

• Track PFE expenditures with proper coding at the LEA or school level.
• Unspent LEA or schools PFE set-aside must be carried forward and added to the current year budget for PFE activities.

3) LEA Level – Implement activities and strategies consistent with their PFE policy including carrying out at least one of the five following areas:

1. Supporting schools and nonprofit organizations in providing professional development for local educational agencies and school personnel regarding PFE strategies.
2. Supporting programs that reach parents and family members at home, in the community, and at school.
3. Disseminating information on best practices focused on PFE, especially best practices for increasing the engagement of economically disadvantaged parents and family members.
4. Collaborating, or providing subgrants to schools to enable such schools to collaborate, with community-based or other organizations or employers with a record of success in improving and increasing PFE.
5. Engaging in any other activities and strategies that the local educational agency determines are appropriate and consistent with such agency’s PFE policy and/or school plan(s).

If the LEA decides to distribute PFE funding only to the Title I high-priority need schools, the LEA must have a plan in place for the other Title I schools that did not receive PFE funds. Those schools still have to fulfill PFE requirements, even if they do not receive specific PFE set-aside funding.

Consolidated Program Review (CPR) Evidence

Sign-in sheets (workshops, meetings, conferences), schedules, training/informational materials, communications and brochures, and meeting notes are just a few of the ways in which LEAs can create feedback channels for parents and track the implementation of their PFE policy/plan(s). Documentation is an essential part of compliance through Comprehensive Program Review.