Guidance TECHNOLOGY PLANNING, PROCUREMENT, AND EVALUATION

Title IV-A for Technology

Using Title IV-A for Technology

ESSA Title IV, Part A, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment program, gives nearly every Illinois district a flexible federal allocation. One of its three content areas, Effective Use of Technology, pays for educator professional learning, blended and personalized learning, digital literacy, and the devices and software to support them.

One rule causes more confusion than any other: a district may spend no more than 15% of its technology funds on devices, equipment, and software. This guide explains what that cap actually covers, the most common misconceptions, and where Title IV-A funding stands for 2026-27.

The 15% RuleFunding Outlook

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What the Law Says

Section 4109(b) of ESSA says a district “shall not use more than 15 percent of funds for purchasing technology infrastructure,” meaning devices, equipment, and software applications, including those bought to launch blended learning.

The U.S. Department of Education’s guidance reads that as 15% of the money a district spends in the technology content area, not 15% of its whole Title IV-A allocation. Devices, equipment, software, platforms, digital instructional resources, and other one-time IT purchases all count toward it.

The rest of the technology funds can support professional learning and other technology activities, which are not capped.

A Worked Example

A district receives $40,000 in Title IV-A and plans to spend:

  • $8,000 on well-rounded education (at least 20% required)
  • $8,000 on safe and healthy students (at least 20% required)
  • $24,000 on effective use of technology

Under the federal rule, at most $3,600 (15% of $24,000) can buy devices, equipment, or software. The other $20,400 can pay for professional learning, coaching on technology use, blended learning planning, and similar activities.

Before you budget, confirm with ISBE. ISBE’s Title IV materials describe the limit as “no more than 15% of the allocation on effective use of technology,” which reads more strictly than the federal guidance. Ask ISBE’s Title Grants division (217-785-1969, Title@isbe.net) how it will review your budget.

What Technology Funds Can Pay For

Section 4109 lists the allowable technology activities. The cap applies only to purchases of technology infrastructure.
  • Devices and equipment, such as laptops, tablets, and classroom technology
  • Software applications, platforms, and site licenses
  • Digital instructional resources and other one-time IT purchases
  • Blended learning technology software and platforms bought to launch a blended learning program

When you are unsure whether a purchase counts, treat it as part of the cap and confirm with ISBE. Network infrastructure such as wiring and wireless is generally better funded through E-Rate; states disagree about whether items like routers belong in Title IV-A at all.

  • Professional learning that helps educators use technology to personalize learning, share high-quality resources, use computer-based assessments, and collaborate
  • Ongoing professional development for blended learning
  • Professional development on using technology in STEM and computer science, including partnerships with outside organizations
  • Strategies for delivering specialized or rigorous courses through technology
  • Digital learning resources and online courses for students in rural, remote, and underserved areas
  • Coaching and technology integration support for teachers

The Department’s guidance says the remaining 85% or more of technology funds supports professional development, capacity building, and other technology activities.

Districts receiving $30,000 or more must complete a comprehensive needs assessment (every three years) and spend at least 20% on well-rounded education, at least 20% on safe and healthy students, and a portion on effective use of technology.

Districts receiving less than $30,000 do not need the needs assessment and can focus on one or more content areas. If they spend in the technology area, the 15% cap still applies. Most Illinois districts fall in this group, and hundreds receive the $10,000 minimum.

Consortia combine their members’ allocations and file one application, which can move small districts above the $30,000 threshold. The cap also applies to technology purchased through equitable services for private schools.

Common Misconceptions

These are the questions we hear most from Illinois districts.

Not under the federal rule. The 15% cap applies to purchases of devices, equipment, and software, measured against what a district spends in the technology area. A district can put much more than 15% of its allocation into technology activities like professional learning. Because ISBE’s materials phrase the rule differently, confirm with ISBE before you budget.

Districts under $30,000 are exempt from the needs assessment and the 20/20 split, but if they spend Title IV-A in the technology area, the 15% cap on infrastructure purchases still applies.

The Department’s FAQ says that, but the law also allows other uncapped technology activities, such as delivering specialized courses through technology and digital resources for rural students. Professional learning is the most common use, not the only one.

Some states treat technology bought to carry out a well-rounded or safe-and-healthy activity as part of that area, not the technology area. This is a state interpretation, so check with ISBE before relying on it.

The U.S. Department of Education’s July 2025 guidance on AI says AI uses are allowable under existing federal programs when they meet each program’s rules. It does not name Title IV-A. For Title IV-A, AI software purchases count toward the 15% cap; professional learning on using AI does not.

No. Title IV-A must supplement, not supplant, state and local funds. Using it for costs your district previously paid with local funds, or for state-required costs, is presumed to be supplanting unless you can document otherwise.

Other Rules to Know

  • Planning in Illinois: Title IV-A is part of the Consolidated District Plan in ISBE’s IWAS system, where the needs assessment lives. Budget lines should be labeled by content area (Well-Rounded, Safe and Healthy, Technology).
  • Transferability: districts may transfer Title IV-A funds into Title II-A, Title I-A, and certain other programs (and Title II-A funds into Title IV-A), with 30 days’ notice to ISBE. Transferred funds follow the receiving program’s rules.
  • Rural flexibility: districts eligible for the Small, Rural School Achievement program (REAP) can use those funds for Title IV-A activities.
  • Timing: each award can be obligated for up to 27 months (15 months plus a 12-month carryover).
  • Administrative costs: up to 2% may be reserved for direct administrative costs.

Where Funding Stands

Title IV-A has been funded at $1.38 billion nationally every year from FY2023 through FY2026. Illinois received about $54.5 million for FY2026.

In summer 2025, FY2025 funds were briefly held back before being released on July 25, 2025. For FY2026, Congress kept the program at $1.38 billion and required formula funds to go out on time; they were delivered July 1, 2026. The money districts spend in 2026-27 is FY2026 money.

What's Ahead

The FY2027 picture is unsettled:

  • The Administration’s budget proposes folding Title IV-A and other programs into a single block grant
  • The House Appropriations Committee’s bill keeps Title IV-A at $1.385 billion
  • Federal programs are running on a temporary continuing resolution through December 11, 2026

FY2027 funds would normally reach districts on July 1, 2027. Plan 2027-28 technology spending with that uncertainty in mind.

Other Ways to Fund Technology

Title IV-A works best alongside other sources:

  • E-Rate for internet access and network equipment
  • Title I and Title II-A for instructional technology and educator professional learning
  • Illinois’ School Technology Revolving Loan Program for hardware

See our Education Technology Funding guide for the full list.

How the LTC Can Help

The LTC offers free support to Illinois school districts:

Official Resources

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