Title I, Section 1003 School Improvement Grant (Instructional Systems)

The Title I, Section 1003 School Improvement Grant for Instructional Systems is administered by the New York State Education Department to support targeted school districts in strengthening instructional practices and improving student outcomes. As part of its broader accountability and school improvement framework, the department provides this funding opportunity to enable eligible schools to participate in structured instructional improvement initiatives, specifically the Leading Instructional Systems and District Systems for Instructional Improvement Supplemental Support programs. These programs are designed to build sustainable instructional capacity through coordinated systems, professional learning, and embedded coaching models. The primary purpose of this grant is to provide financial support to districts so that school teams can engage meaningfully in state-supported instructional improvement programs. The funding is intended to remove barriers to participation and ensure that schools can fully implement program expectations. This includes supporting travel to required training sessions, covering substitute teacher costs to allow staff participation, providing access to aligned professional learning resources, and facilitating structured collaboration time for instructional teams. The grant also allows districts to fund instructional coaching positions, which are considered a central component of the improvement strategy. Funding under this opportunity is structured in two primary categories. First, districts may receive up to twenty thousand dollars per participating school team to cover program-related expenses such as travel, substitute coverage, professional materials, and extended team collaboration time. Second, districts may request additional funds to support the salary and benefits of an instructional coach. The maximum funding for this position is up to one hundred twenty five thousand dollars if the school’s principal supervisor participates in the state’s Principal Supervisor Coaching Program, or up to seventy five thousand dollars if not. These funds are restricted to salary and benefits only and cannot be reallocated to other activities. Eligibility for the grant is limited to designated target districts that have schools participating in one of the specified instructional improvement programs. To qualify, a school must have registered for either the Leading Instructional Systems program or the District Systems for Instructional Improvement program and must have completed a required Program Participant Survey by June 5, 2026. Participation in the instructional programs is not contingent on receiving grant funding, but funding is contingent on meeting all eligibility and submission requirements. Additional conditions include naming an instructional coach by June 30, 2026, and ensuring any resulting classroom vacancies are filled by certified teachers by August 31, 2026. The application process is administered through the NYSED Business Portal and involves multiple steps. Applicants must first submit a Program Participant Survey via email, which is reviewed by NYSED staff to confirm eligibility. Once approved, eligible local education agencies are granted access to the application system. Applicants must then upload a signed FS 10 budget form to the portal and mail hard copies to the designated state office. The application must be fully completed and submitted by August 31, 2026, and no extensions are permitted. Additional requirements include ensuring that collaborative planning time is embedded in the school schedule for the duration of the project period. The project period for this grant runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. During this time, funded schools are expected to fully implement instructional improvement activities, including participation in required training sessions and adherence to coaching program expectations. Instructional coaches funded through the grant must attend in person state events and dedicate the majority of their time to activities such as modeling instruction, co teaching, and facilitating collaborative teacher learning. Evaluation and oversight of the program are conducted by NYSED staff through review of submitted materials and ongoing program participation. Schools must demonstrate compliance with program requirements, including staffing, participation, and instructional improvement practices. For additional information or support, applicants may contact the program offices via designated email addresses. The grant represents a focused investment in building long term instructional capacity and improving educational outcomes in targeted districts across New York State.

Ensure early completion of survey and coach identification as portal access depends on eligibility confirmation; align staffing and scheduling requirements before submission