Application Available: February 22, 2021
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: March 15, 2021
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 23, 2021 at 11:59:59 PM (EDT)
Current Application
FY 2021 NPD FULL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS (PDF, 587 KB)
FAQs Related to the 2021 NPD Competition (PDF, 325 KB)
Purpose of Program: The NPD program, authorized by sections 3111(c)(1)(C) and 3131 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), awards grants on a competitive basis, for a period of not more than five years, to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or public or private entities with relevant experience and capacity, in consortia with State educational agencies (SEAs) or local educational agencies (LEAs). The purpose of these grants is to provide professional development activities that will improve classroom instruction for English learners (ELs) and assist educational personnel working with such children to meet high professional standards, including standards for certification and licensure as teachers who work in language instruction educational programs or serve ELs.
Grants awarded under this program may be used—
(1) For effective pre-service or in-service professional development programs that will improve the qualifications and skills of educational personnel involved in the education of ELs, including personnel who are not certified or licensed and educational paraprofessionals, and for other activities to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness in meeting the needs of ELs;
(2) For the development of program curricula appropriate to the needs of the consortia participants involved;
(3) To support strategies that strengthen and increase parent, family, and community member engagement in the education of ELs;
(4) To develop, share, and disseminate effective practices in the instruction of ELs and in increasing the academic achievement of ELs, including the use of technology-based programs;
(5) In conjunction with other Federal need-based student financial assistance programs, for financial assistance, including costs related to tuition, fees, and books for enrolling in courses required to complete the degree involved, to meet certification or Start Printed Page 10555licensing requirements for teachers who work in language instruction educational programs or serve ELs; and
(6) As appropriate, to support strategies that promote school readiness of ELs and their transition from early childhood education programs, such as Head Start or State-run preschool programs, to elementary school programs.
Background: Educator effectiveness is the most important in-school factor affecting student achievement and success.[1] The NPD program is a Federal grant program that offers professional development specifically for educators of ELs. To improve the academic achievement of ELs, the NPD program supports pre-service and in-service instruction for teachers and other staff, including school leaders, working with ELs.
The NPD program has funded a range of grantees that are currently implementing 92 projects across the country. As the EL population continues to grow, it has become increasingly important to identify and expand the use of evidence-based instructional practices that improve EL learning outcomes.