Academic Technology Solutions - Education

Community-Based English Tutoring (CBET) Program

This page is designed to provide justification for using CBET funds to:

• buy technology for CBET students (mobile labs, projectors, etc)
• pay for technology instruction
• use CBET funding in conjunction with other funding sources (i.e. Title I money)

How can the CBET funds be used?

The purpose of these funds is to provide free or subsidized adult English language instruction to parents or other community members who pledge to provide English language tutoring to California school children with limited English proficiency.

May CBET Program funds be used in conjunction with other state and federal funding sources? How are the CBET Program funds to be used in conjunction with Adult Education programs?

These funds may be used to develop new programs or to subsidize existing programs of English language instruction for parents, guardians, and other adult community members. Partnerships and collaborations with other programs that have similar purposes and goals are encouraged.

Can LEAs use CBET funds for capital outlay, administrative expenditures, and indirect costs?

While there appear to be no specific prohibitions against capital outlay, administrative expenditures, or indirect costs, the CDE recommends that LEAs not use CBET funds for these items since the primary purpose of the program as stated in regulation is to provide direct program services.

Some LEAs have argued logically that since CBET funds can be used for reasonable expenditures for items, such as transportation and the acquisition of classroom space (renting and leasing) and under certain conditions, these items might be secured more economically or efficiently through lease/purchases or outright purchases. If an LEA decides to make a capital outlay expenditure, such as (1) the purchase and placement of a portable classroom, (2) the purchase of a mobile classroom or learning center, and/or (3) the purchase of a van or bus, the LEA should be aware of the following:

• The purchase should be for direct-services related to the adult ELD classes; and
• The items purchased should be for the primary use with CBET Program adult ELD participants and staff. If the items purchased are used for other than CBET program activities, the LEA should consider co-funding the purchase(s) with funds from other appropriate programs in an amount proportionate to the intended uses of the items purchased.

Can the CBET funds be used for other program services and activities?

Yes, services and activities, such as teacher and instructional aide salaries, software, instructional materials, staff development, leasing of space, maintenance, field trips, mileage, program evaluation, babysitting, nutritional snacks, and other similar costs that are part of direct or supportive services of the CBET program, may be funded by the program.

Can facilities, equipment, and/or materials, which are leased or purchased with CBET funds, be used by programs other than CBET?

Yes, in certain circumstances. Facilities, equipment, and materials leased or purchased with CBET funds may, without constituting an improper expenditure, be used on a part-time basis. If the facilities, equipment, and/or materials can be made available for other programs without interfering with their use for the CBET Program or significantly shortening their useful life, there is no objection to using the CBET facilities, equipment, and/or materials given the fact that they would otherwise be idle. This guidance is consistent with 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 80.32(c), which allows facilities, equipment, and materials to be made available for use in other projects and programs.

In cases where one or more programs use CBET facilities, equipment, and/or materials beyond the range of the guideline presented above, LEAs should consider co-funding the cost of the facilities, equipment, and/or materials so that each program contributes its fair share.

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All of the information listed above is taken directly from the California Department of Education

For more information visit: CBET Frequently Asked Questions