The California Department of Education (CDE) recommends that local educational agencies, county offices of education, and direct funded charter schools consider the following general criteria when approving activities or expenditures supported with Title I, Part A funds:

• The activity/expenditure is aligned to meet the challenging State academic content standards (Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) sections 1112[a][3][B][i], and 1112[b]);
• The activity/expenditure is an evidenced-based educational strategy (ESSA sections 1003[b][1][B], 1114[d], and 1115[h]);
• The activity/expenditure is reasonable, necessary, and allocable cost to the program (Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations sections 200.404, and 200.405);
• Title I, Part A funds used supplement the funds that would, in the absence of such funds, be made available from State and local sources, and do not supplant such funds (ESSA Section 1118[b][1]);
• Title I, Part A funds used are current Federal fiscal year or the subsequent fiscal year (ESSA Section 1127[a]).

Title I Schoolwide Programs (SWP) should consider the following general criteria when approving activities or expenditures supported with Title I, Part A funds:

• The activity/expenditure meets a need identified in the comprehensive needs assessment (ESSA Section 1114[b][6]);
• The activity/expenditure is included in the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) (Education Code [EC] Section 64001[g][3][C]);
• The SPSA has been approved by the local governing board (EC Section 64001[i]);
• The Schoolsite Council (SSC) annually evaluates and monitors the implementation of the SPSA and progress towards accomplishing the goals (EC Section 64001[g][2][B], and [i]); and
• The activity/expenditure has been reviewed, approved, and recommended by the SSC to the local governing board (EC Section 64001[d]).

Business Services and State and Federal Programs District leadership provide guidance to school sites that receive Title I funds and approve Title I expenditures as they align with the SPSA. Expenditures must be tied to actions that are supplemental and meet the requirements set forth by CDE. The following table shows examples of allowable and non-allowable expenditures.