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Funding Guide — Algebra Studio Sales Partners

Funding Guide

Federal and state funding sources that cover hands-on math curriculum.

How to use this page

Read this once to understand which funding sources apply. When you're building a game plan in the Quickstart, funding sources are surfaced automatically based on the buyer and product you select. This page is the deeper reference behind those recommendations.

At a Glance

Funding Source Math Labs PD Workshop Games Library Notes
Title I ✓ ✓ — Supplemental math instruction at Title I schools
Title II-A — ✓ — PD workshop only
Title IV-A (SSAE) ✓ ✓ — Well-rounded education & STEM enrichment
CTE Perkins V ✓ * — — Balance Lab, Slope Lab & Space Academy (grades 5–8+)
21st CCLC ✓ — ✓ Afterschool and summer programs
State Math Grants ✓ ✓ ✓ Varies by state

The Games Library is free and requires no purchase, so it rarely needs a funding pathway. Games are listed above only for afterschool and state contexts where program directors need to document how curriculum materials are sourced. See Games Library.

Funding Sources

Title I, Part A
Improving Basic Programs — ESEA
All Math Labs PD Workshop
What it is
The largest federal K–12 education program. Title I directs funds to schools with high percentages of students from low-income families. Schools use Title I for supplemental instruction, intervention programs, and enrichment beyond the core curriculum. Virtually every school district in the United States receives Title I funds.
Why Math Labs qualify
Math Labs are supplemental — they don't replace the core math adoption. They provide structured enrichment in specific standards (measurement, fractions, algebraic reasoning, proportional reasoning) using collaborative, hands-on projects. Title I funds cover both the curriculum kits and the professional development workshop.
Sample PO justification

Supplemental mathematics enrichment program aligned to [CCSS / TEKS / state standards]. Provides [10 / 35] structured, hands-on sessions covering [specific domain, e.g., measurement and data / operations and algebraic thinking]. Includes physical manipulatives for collaborative student use and teacher-facing instructional portal. Supplements core math curriculum as part of the school's Title I plan for improving student achievement in mathematics.

Federal program page
Title II, Part A
Supporting Effective Instruction — ESEA
PD Workshop Only
What it is
Title II-A funds professional development for teachers, principals, and school leaders. The program supports training that improves instruction and student achievement. Districts use it for workshops, coaching, and content-specific PD.
Why the PD workshop qualifies
The Algebra Studio professional development workshop is a half-day, facilitator-led training focused on implementing hands-on mathematics instruction. It covers the research basis for embodied cognition in math learning, the instructional model behind the Math Labs, and practical preparation for running lab sessions. Title II-A covers the workshop fee. It does not cover the curriculum kits or materials themselves.
Sample PO justification

Half-day mathematics professional development workshop delivered by Algebra Studio facilitators. Training covers implementation of supplemental hands-on math instruction, including the research basis for manipulative-based learning, session facilitation techniques, and use of the teacher-facing instructional portal. Supports effective math instruction under Title II-A.

Federal program page
Title IV, Part A (SSAE)
Student Support and Academic Enrichment — ESSA
All Math Labs PD Workshop
What it is
Title IV-A funds well-rounded education, safe and healthy school conditions, and effective use of technology. The well-rounded education category specifically covers STEM enrichment, hands-on math and science programming, and activities that provide students access to subjects and experiences beyond the core curriculum. Every district that receives Title I also receives a Title IV-A allocation (minimum $10,000). Districts with allocations of $30,000 or more must spend at least 20% on well-rounded education activities.
Why Math Labs qualify
The statute explicitly lists "hands-on learning and exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics" as an allowable use under well-rounded education. Math Labs fit this category directly: they are structured, standards-aligned STEM enrichment programs that supplement core instruction with collaborative, manipulative-based math experiences. Both the curriculum kits and the PD workshop are covered.
Sample PO justification

STEM-aligned mathematics enrichment program providing hands-on, collaborative learning experiences under Title IV-A, Well-Rounded Education (ESSA Section 4107). Program includes [10 / 35] structured sessions using physical manipulatives to build conceptual understanding in [specific domain]. Supplements core math instruction and aligns to [CCSS / TEKS / state standards]. Includes teacher professional development.

Federal program page
CTE Perkins V
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act
Balance Lab, Slope Lab & Space Academy
What it is
Perkins V funds career and technical education programs. The law allocates approximately $1.4 billion annually to states for CTE program development and improvement. Perkins V expanded eligibility to middle grades (grades 5–8), and roughly 90% of states now allow local Perkins funding for middle school CTE and career exploration.
Why these labs qualify
Perkins V requires students be in grades 5–8 or above, which limits this source to the middle school Math Labs. Balance Lab uses physical balance beams and cups-and-cubes models to teach equation solving through variables on both sides. Space Academy uses engineering and technical measurement in a space mission context. Slope Lab uses K'Nex™ balance beams, Circuit Cubes™ racers, and technical measurement tools in a linear functions context. All three have explicit connections to CTE career clusters (STEM, engineering, technical sciences). The district must have a CTE program or pathway that the lab connects to — this is not a standalone purchase but an addition to existing CTE programming.

Important: Perkins V cannot fund programs for students below grade 5. This means PRISM (grade 3) and the Mega Mini Games fraction labs (grades 4–5) are not eligible. Perkins also cannot supplant existing expenditures — the lab must be new programming, not replacing something the district already funds.

Sample PO justification

Supplemental CTE-aligned mathematics curriculum for middle school students. Program uses engineering contexts (structural design, propulsion measurement, linear modeling, algebraic reasoning) to develop technical math skills. Supports career exploration in STEM and engineering career clusters. Aligns to Perkins V allowable use for CTE program improvement in middle grades.

Federal program page
21st Century Community Learning Centers
Title IV, Part B — ESSA
All Math Labs Games Library
What it is
The only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs. 21st CCLC provides competitive grants (administered through state education agencies) to community learning centers that serve students at high-poverty and low-performing schools. Approximately $1.3 billion annually. Grants run for five years with a minimum of $50,000 per year.
Why Math Labs qualify
21st CCLC programs must provide academic enrichment in core subjects including mathematics, along with additional STEM enrichment activities. Math Labs and games are structured enrichment that does not require certified math teachers to facilitate — the teacher portal runs the instructional sequence, which means afterschool staff and paraprofessionals can implement the program. This is a strong fit for the Programs framing, where Math Labs are positioned for afterschool and summer contexts.
Sample PO justification

Standards-aligned mathematics enrichment for [afterschool / summer] programming. Students work collaboratively on [10 / 35]-session projects using physical manipulatives. Program includes a teacher-facing digital portal with structured lesson sequences, reducing facilitation burden on out-of-school-time staff. Addresses 21st CCLC requirement for academic enrichment in core subjects.

Federal program page
State Math Improvement Grants
State-administered — varies by state
All Math Labs PD Workshop Games Library
What these are
Many states operate their own math improvement, STEM innovation, or instructional materials grants separate from federal Title funds. These vary significantly in size, eligibility, and application cycles. Some states target specific grade bands or content areas; others fund general instructional improvement. These are worth investigating on a district-by-district basis because they are often less competitive than federal programs and less well-known to curriculum coordinators.
How to find them
Search the state department of education website for the district's state. Look for terms like "math improvement grant," "STEM grant," "instructional materials grant," or "innovation fund." Ask the district's federal programs coordinator — they typically track state-level opportunities alongside Title funds.

Texas example: Texas districts operate under TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and often have access to state-level instructional materials allotments, TEA-administered competitive grants, and regional Education Service Center (ESC) funding for math-specific initiatives. If you're working in Texas, the ESC math specialist for the district's region is often the best point of contact.

The Budget Talk Track

When they say: "We don't have budget for this."

This is common and often means "I don't know which budget line this comes from," not "there is no money." The job is to help the buyer identify where the funding already exists, not to convince them to create new budget.

Say this

"That makes sense — most coordinators I talk to say the same thing at first. Can I ask how the district handles supplemental math materials? Is that typically Title I, or do you have a separate instructional materials line? A lot of districts use Title IV-A for this because it falls under well-rounded education and STEM enrichment. If you're a Title I school, that's another pathway. I can send you a one-page funding guide that maps the specific sources — it might be worth five minutes with your federal programs coordinator."

Not that

"It's really affordable when you think about it." (Dismisses their concern.) "This pays for itself in test score gains." (Makes a claim you can't back up.) "Other districts found the money." (Vague and unhelpful.)

When they say: "We've already allocated everything for next year."

Budget cycles vary by state and district. In most districts, budgets are finalized in late spring or early summer. If you're talking to someone in September, the budget for the current year is set — but next year's is 6–8 months away.

Say this

"Understood. When does your district start planning next year's budget? I'd like to get this in front of whoever handles supplemental materials or Title allocations before those decisions are made. In the meantime, would a trial with the free games be useful? That way your teachers have experience with the format before budget conversations start."

Combining sources

Districts can layer multiple funding sources on a single purchase. A common combination: Title IV-A covers the Math Lab kits, Title II-A covers the PD workshop, and Title I covers additional kits for intervention classrooms. When the buyer says they don't have enough in any single line item, help them think about splitting the purchase across sources. The PO justification can reference multiple funding streams as long as each component is coded to the appropriate line.

Budget Cycle Reference

Federal Title funds operate on the federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 30). Districts receive allocations in the fall and typically have 27 months to spend them. Many districts finalize budget plans in spring (March–June) for the following school year. The best time to present a funding-dependent proposal is January through April, when coordinators are building next year's plans. If you're presenting after budgets are set, focus on getting the product into the plan for the following year and use the free games as a bridge.

Funding Guide one-pager — leave-behind for curriculum coordinators and administrators. Summarizes all six funding pathways with PO justification language.

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