400 MARYLAND AVE. SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20202

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The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by 

fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

January 9, 2018

Dear Colleague:

I am writing regarding the implementation of the School Improvement Grants (SIG) 

program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended 

by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), to follow up on the Dear Colleague letter

(available at https://www2.ed.gov/programs/sif/sigdirapplicationltr3292016.pdf) sent on 

March 29, 2016, regarding the use of remaining SIG funds and to update you on SIG 

reporting requirements. 

Use of remaining SIG funds

In the letter dated March 29, 2016, the U.S. Department of Education (Department)

explained that a State must continue to comply with the SIG final requirements throughout 

the period of availability of any remaining SIG funds, including any extended period of 

availability pursuant to waivers of the period of availability of SIG funds. The letter also 

explained that a State could, but was not required to, use funds that it reserved in fiscal 

year 2017 and future years under section 1003(a) of the ESEA, as amended by the Every 

Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), to support full implementation of SIG awards initially made 

with prior-year funds. 

Many States have contacted the Department to request additional flexibility regarding the 

use of remaining SIG funds. States have cited as reasons for their request waning interest 

from local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in applying for or implementing SIG

in light of the new requirements in ESSA, the large amount of remaining SIG funds and 

the States’ focus on fully transitioning to ESSA. Given these reasons, the Department

supports States’ interest in increased flexibility for the use of SIG funds. 

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority to ensure an orderly transition authority to the 

ESSA, a State may, at its discretion, use any remaining SIG funds either: (1) consistent 

with the SIG final requirements; or (2) consistent with the requirements of section 1003 of 

the ESEA, as amended by the ESSA. A State that decides to use some or all of its 

remaining SIG funds consistent with section 1003 of the ESEA, as amended by the ESSA, 

may, at its discretion, permit an LEA that is currently implementing SIG to transition to the 

requirements of section 1003 of the ESEA, as amended by the ESSA, with its remaining 

SIG funds. 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
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SIG reporting requirements

The SIG final requirements require each State to submit a number of SIG-specific data and

reporting elements for SIG schools to the Department on an annual basis. Because the SIG 

program is eliminated under the ESSA, it is no longer necessary for States to continue to 

meet those SIG-specific reporting requirements. Thus, consistent with the provisions of 

the ESSA that authorize the Secretary to ensure an orderly transition to the new law, the 

Department will no longer require a State to report SIG-specific data to the Department

(see EDFacts C167 at https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/edfacts/eden/non-xml/c167-12-

0.doc).

Should you need further clarification or have any questions, please contact your State 

program officer in the Office of State Support.

Sincerely,

/s/

Jason Botel

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, 

Delegated the Authority to Perform 

the Functions and Duties of the 

Assistant Secretary of Elementary and 

Secondary Education