Title I News

November 2024

Volume 8, Issue 11

"I can't change what happens to me, but I can change how I react to it.”

― Maya Angelou

As we embrace the gentle warmth of the fall season and the spirit of Thanksgiving, it’s a perfect time for reflection and gratitude. Self-reflection can serve as a powerful tool in measuring our success and growth as educators and leaders. Be sure to celebrate your achievements and consider how you can cultivate even greater impact in your schools as you anticipate a new year just around the corner.

Monitoring Updates and New Resources

Consolidated monitoring notifications were sent to 10 districts on Oct. 1. Monitoring visits will begin in January. Additionally, 11 districts have been notified of their selection for Title I desk monitoring.

All monitoring checklists have been reviewed and revised recently. The resources are posted on KDE's Title I, Part A Documents and Resources webpage and have been redesigned to allow for better readability and visual use of the tools. Although the checklists look quite different, the majority of changes were in formatting and minor wordsmithing as opposed to content. An email was sent to Title I coordinators following the August webinar with a summary of content changes.

Please ensure that you make note of the suggested and required documentation for each indicator on the checklists.

• District Consolidated Monitoring Checklist
• Schoolwide Program Consolidated Monitoring Checklist
• Targeted Assistance Program Consolidated Monitoring Checklist
• Title I Desk Monitoring Checklist

Whether selected for monitoring or not, Title I coordinators can use these checklists to self-assess and monitor their programs and ensure they are keeping documentation to address each of the monitoring indicators. The Title I, Part A Documentation Training Webinar provides an overview of the monitoring checklists, as well as examples of documentation that may be saved to demonstrate compliance.

In Case You Missed It: Don't Let Inventory Fall by the Wayside

ESEA Now is a publication containing resources related to educational programs in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The Kentucky Department of Education provides subscriptions to this service for all Kentucky school districts. ESEA Now published an article on Aug. 19, 2024, entitled "Don't let inventory of Title I-purchased equipment fall by the wayside.”

2 CFR 200.302(b)(4) states, “The financial management system of each non-federal entity must provide for effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property and other assets. The non-federal entity must adequately safeguard all assets and assure that they are used solely for authorized purposes.”

Districts must develop an internal process to demonstrate that they are providing effective control and accountability for expenditures made with Title I, Part A funds for the school district and for any nonpublic schools participating in equitable services. Examples of effective controls include, but are not limited to, inventory and tagging/labeling purchases.

An inventory is required for items meeting the definition of equipment outlined in 2 CFR 200.1. The ESEA Now article lists all the information that must be included in this inventory. Recent changes to the Uniform Grant Guidance include increasing the per unit acquisition cost for equipment from $5,000 to $10,000. This change will impact the grant funds that become available on July 1, 2025. Until that date, tangible property with a useful life of more than one year and a per unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or more meets the definition of equipment and must be included in the inventory.

Many of the assets purchased by districts do not meet the definition of equipment but are still valuable items that need to be safeguarded. A control system must also be in place to protect against loss, damage or theft of the property. Districts must investigate any loss, damage or theft, and must notify the Kentucky Department of Education if it will impact the program. 2 CFR 200.313 (d)(3).

Further guidance can be found on the Safeguarding Assets Purchased with Title I Funds guidance document. District can use the document as a springboard to create their own internal written procedures for inventory management and safeguarding assets purchased with federal funds.

Principal's Perspective: Holiday Parties Beware

Fall and winter are historically busy months for inviting parents to holiday parties and festivals at school. As we have explored over the past few months, social or entertainment events have their value and can be effective ways to provide a level of comfort for families when building school culture and community.

But don’t forget that these events shouldn’t be labeled as “Title I” events and should not be supported by federal funds. The code of federal regulations states that the costs of entertainment – including amusement, diversion and social activities – and any associated costs are unallowable. 2 CFR 200.438

Reserve the use of your federal funds for two-way communication efforts and events that educate parents and build their capacity for supporting student academic achievement.

Open Title I, Part A Projects and Associated Deadlines

Please review the table below and make note of the approaching deadlines regarding the obligation and expenditure of funds from all open Title I, Part A projects.

In This Issue

• Updated Title I, Part A Handbook
• Comparability Reports – What’s Next?
• Monitoring Updates and New Resources
• Attend the 2025 National ESEA Conference
• In Case You Missed It: Don’t Let Inventory Fall by the Wayside
• Principal’s Perspective: Holiday Parties Beware
• Open Title I, Part A Projects and Associated Deadlines

Updated Title I, Part A Handbook

The recently revised Title I, Part A Handbook is now available on KDE's Title I webpage.

The minor updates include changes to ensure consistent formatting throughout the document, as well as some restructuring of content to improve clarity and flow.

New content has been added to reflect recent updates to Education Department General Administrative Regulations and Uniform Grant Guidance. Additional information has been added to provide further details on program requirements, specifically areas tied to common monitoring findings for districts and schools.

An overview of the changes was provided in the October Title I Webinar.

Comparability Reports: What's Next?

The 2024-2025 comparability report was due in the Grant Management Application and Planning (GMAP) district document library on Nov. 1.

Once the comparability report is submitted, your assigned consultant will take some time to review it. If corrections are needed, your consultant will reach out via email to discuss those changes.

When a report is approved, you will receive an email with a copy of the approved report. Your consultant also will upload a copy of your approved report to your district document library.

Attend the 2025 National ESEA Conference

If your district’s federal programs staff is interested in attending the 2025 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Conference, it is time to start making plans! This annual conference will be hosted by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) on Feb. 19-21 in Austin, Texas.

This year’s conference theme is “Focus on Improvement.” With more than a hundred sessions covering a wide array of education-related topics, attendees have plenty of opportunities to gain valuable insights into the newest educational trends and advancements, from local and state projects to federal education programs and policies. Three inspiring keynote presentations offer unique perspectives from thought leaders and experts in their respective fields.

Although the Kentucky Department of Education has paid the registration fees for up to two district staff to attend the conference in recent years, funds are not available for this purpose this year.

As a reminder, costs related to program-related professional development (registration, travel, lodging, meals, etc.) are an allowable use of Title I, Part A funds. Professional development expenses for the Title I coordinator should be reserved in the Administrative Cost set-aside.

For more information and to register, visit eseanetwork.org.

Coordinator's Year at a Glance – Suggested Tasks for November

- Submit comparability report in GMAP.

- Ensure schools have documented the distribution of school-family compacts (e.g., copies of signed compacts, signatures of parents who have received the compact).

- Discussion of school-family compact as it relates to individual student achievement during a parent-teacher conference should occur by the end of the month. This is a requirement at the elementary level only.

Monthly Title I Webinar

The October webinar and accompanying PowerPoint are available on the Title I, Part A Documents and Resources webpage. During the webinar, information centered around the recently revised Title I, Part A Handbook.

The November webinar will be held at 10 a.m. ET Nov. 21. A reminder email will be sent before the webinar.

We value your feedback and would like to learn more about what is helpful and what you would like to see more of in the monthly webinars. Anonymous feedback and topic suggestions may be submitted through the optional Title I Monthly Webinar Feedback Survey. The feedback will be used to help ensure the monthly webinars meet your needs.

CONTACTS

Title I District Consultant List