August 11, 2020

ESEA Federal Programs Update

Application Reminders

Here are a few reminders as we enter the ESEA Title Grant application season:

1. All ESEA Title Grant applications are due on September 1, 2020. Keep in mind that as we approach the deadline and more users are accessing SERVS at the same time, this could impact the speed of the system. District and charter school officials should plan accordingly.
2. It is strongly recommended that Narrative Questions be written and saved outside of SERVS before adding to SERVS. Answers can be copied and pasted from a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, into SERVS. The "Narrative Questions and Response Guide" for each application (found on the ESEA Grant Applications and Tools webpage) is one option for a location to write and save responses prior to pasting them into the SERVS application.
3. The "Application Submission Checklists" for each grant program can be used to ensure all necessary components of each application are competed. These can be found under each grant program on the ESEA Grant Applications and Tools webpage.
4. Each ESEA Grant Program has two new resources available to support district and charter school officials in completing the new Narrative Questions for each grant. The first is a word document – “Narrative Questions and Response Guide” – and the second is a series of short recordings that review the questions and how to respond. These resources can be found on the ESEA Grant Applications and Tools webpage.
5. Districts and charter schools must finalize SY2020 in SERVS, including revising to actuals and carrying forward funds to SY2021. Please see the documents and recordings on the ESEA Grant Applications and Tools webpage to support you in completing these tasks.

Title I, Part A Carryover Waiver Reminder

As announced this spring and outlined on the MDE Title I, Part A website, all districts and charter schools are eligible to carry over more than 15 percent of SY20 funds if needed this year, even if a waiver to do this was granted in the prior three years. District and charter schools need to complete a request for waiver; details, including the form that needs to be submitted by October 15, 2020, are on the MDE Title I, Part A website.

CARES Act Funding Update and Reminders

Update: On July 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education, through the federal rulemaking process, issued an Interim Final Rule that changed the options for calculating nonpublic equitable share in the CARES Act funded programs to LEAs. This Interim Final Rule has the force of law and MDE has issued updated guidance to replace the initial guidance provided in June.

Reminder: The applications for GEER and ESSER awards (FIN 151, 152, 153) are available in SERVS. Specifics can be found on the CARES Act Funding website. Districts need to submit an application for SY2020, even if they have no expenses from March 13-June 30, 2020. Once an application is approved for SY20, funds can be carried over into SY2021. See the CARES Act Funding website for more information.

Reminder: Live CARES Act funding Support Labs are hosted every Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. and Thursday, 9-10 a.m. These informal sessions function much like office hours and do not require registration; just follow the link! Stop by to ask any and all questions regarding CARES Act funding.

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The Title I Part A Committee of Practitioners Is Seeking Members for the 2020-21 School Year

Please consider applying to be on the ESEA Title I, Part A Committee of Practitioners if you are interested in influencing Title I programming across the state. The Committee of Practitioners (COP) provides MDE ongoing recommendations on a variety of issues related to ESEA and Title I programs. The Elementary Secondary Educational Act (ESEA) of 2015 reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), section 6573 (b), requires each state that receives Title I funds, “…shall create a State committee of practitioners to advise the State in carrying out its responsibilities,” to ensure that any state rules, regulations, and policies relating to Title I conforms to the purposes of Title I, and provide any such proposed rules, regulations, and policies to the COP for review and comment.

All meetings this year will take place virtually over a web-based platform. If you are interested, please complete the COP application survey by August 21, 2020. MDE staff will contact you via email regarding the status of your application.

Live and Recorded Learning Opportunities

Live Training Sessions
Live training sessions on specific topics will be offered throughout the year, including these upcoming opportunities. Check out the ESEA Grant Applications and Tools webpage for additional sessions. There is no need to register.

Wednesday, August 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – ESEA Title Program Consultation for Nonpublic School Officials

Wednesday, August 19, 1-2 p.m. – Requirements for ESEA Tribal Consultation (repeat)

Recorded Training Sessions
Check out our recorded training sessions on specific topics, including how to complete application close-out and related tasks in SERVS. New videos will be added periodically and cover a variety of topics. Email mde.esea@state.mn.us if you have suggestions for additional recordings.

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Ask an Expert: Live Support Labs

Support Labs will include a short, scheduled topic and an opportunity for participants to get specific questions answered about that topic or any ESEA Title grant program application, much like office hours. Join us every Tuesday and Thursday in August by using the Microsoft Teams links below. There is no need to register.

Tuesdays in July and August from 1-2 p.m.
August 11 - Title III - Tribal Consultation, General
August 18 - Title Application Resources, New to Title, General
August 25 - Title II and Title IV, Part A New to Title, General
WEDNESDAY August 26 (use same Tuesday link) - Fiscal Requirements

Thursdays in August, 8-9 a.m.
August 13 - Title IV, Part A Budget Worksheets, General
August 20 - Title I and Title III, Tribal Consultation, General
August 27 - Title Applications, Resources, General

Updated Contact List

The division of Equity and Opportunity is here to support you with your ESEA Title Grant Programs! Consider your needs and contact us using the following guidance:

• If your question is regarding something in SERVS that is not program-specific, such as how to accept your funds, upload a document, or you are getting an error message, contact mde.esea@state.mn.us. This email address is monitored by multiple people and will get the fastest technical support for SERVS.
• If your question is about a particular ESEA grant program, contact the appropriate Grant Program Specialist (see chart below) for the quickest response regarding allowable uses of funds or wonderings about how to answer a specific narrative question.
• If you’re curious if a practice you are doing or contemplating is compliant or advisable, contact the appropriate Grant Monitoring Specialist (see chart below) for the best response on the program implementation guidelines.
• If your inquiry is regarding nonpublic equitable services, connect with the individuals listed below. 

We are striving to meet district and charter school needs and appreciate feedback on how we can improve. Any questions or suggestions regarding these updates can be directed to mde.esea@state.mn.us.

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