Small, Rural School Achievement Program

Subpart 1 – Small, Rural School Achievement Program

(P.L. 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 5211 and Section 5212)

The purpose of the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program is to provide rural LEAs with financial assistance to fund initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement

Eligibility

[Section 5211(b)]

An LEA is eligible for an SRSA award if: 

1a. The total number of students in average daily attendance (ADA) at all of the schools served by the LEA is fewer than 600; or

1b. Each county in which a school served by the LEA is located has a total population density of fewer than 10 people per square mile; and

2a. All of the schools served by the LEA are designated with a school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary of Education; or

2b. The LEA is located in an area defined as rural by the state.

• 2023-2024 Eligibility List
• 2023-2024 Master Eligibility Spreadsheet

Use of Funds

[Section 5212(a)]

Grantees may use SRSA funds to carry out activities authorized under any of the following federal programs: (Video)

Title I, Part A  - Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
Example: A school district develops an entrepreneurial education program to supplement its civics curriculum.
Title II, Part A  - Supporting Effective Instruction
Example: A school district pays the stipend for a prospective teacher to work alongside an effective teacher, who is the teacher of record, for a full academic year.
Title III  - Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students
Example: A school district offers an afterschool enrichment program for English learners.
Title IV, Part A  - Student Support and Academic Enrichment
Example: A school district purchases a bully prevention program for all schools.
Title IV, Part B  - 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Example: A school district purchases instruments to supplement schools’ band and orchestra programs.

See the Uses of Funds Guide for the SRSA and RLIS programs to better understand the allowable uses of funds specific to each program.

Alternative Fund Use Authority (AFUA)

The Alternative Fund Use Authority allows SRSA-eligible LEAs greater flexibility in spending the funds they receive under Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A to best address the LEA’s particular needs. Under AFUA, LEAs are able to use their Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A funds to pay for activities under any of the allowable uses for SRSA grant funds.

• Title I, Part A
• Title II, Part A
• Title III, Part A
• Title IV, Part A
• Title IV, Part B

In addition:

• An SRSA-eligible LEA does not have to apply for SRSA funds may exercise AUFA.
• An LEA that is eligible for both SRSA and RLIS funds may exercise AUFA even if the LEA chooses to participate in RLIS instead of SRSA.
• Before exercising AFUA, an eligible LEAs must notify TEA of intention to implement the flexibility by completing the PS3109 – REAP Funding Transferability schedule in the ESSA Consolidated Application for Federal Funding.  Statute requires that LEAs notify the state of intention to exercise REAP-Flex at least 30 days before the transfer takes place.  Therefore, the effective date for the transfer is 30 days after the stamp-in date of the application.

Application Process

The SRSA program is administered by the US Department of Education.  For questions, please contact REAP@ed.gov or 202-401-0039.