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November 23, 2021
Full of Gratitude
The Student Access and Opportunity team is full of deep gratitude for your persistence and patience in navigating the many challenges in submitting ESEA Title grants this fall. We are grateful for the over 98.5 percent of LEAs with submitted applications and for those finalizing their revisions.
Most of the ESEA Grant Program Specialists and Grant Reviewers are former teachers and/or district program coordinators who know how hard it is to carve out time to complete the ESEA Title applications alongside many other, often more pressing, demands. Thank you for all you do every day to support the learners in your community by leveraging these federal awards to address the persistent access, representation, participation, and outcome gaps in Minnesota.
Upcoming Draw Reminders
Timely draw-down of federal awards is strongly encouraged by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Treasury, and the Minnesota Department of Education. The suggested dates below are for first quarter expenses.
ESEA Title grants (finance codes 401, 406, 414, 417, and 433) should plan on a draw for expenses from July 1 through September 30, 2021, by December 6, 2021. This is particularly important for LEAs with remaining FFY18/SFY19 (current course code 013) funds that needed to be spent on allowable expenses by September 30, 2021. The FFY18/SFY19 funds will be liquidated at the end of December and undrawn funds returned to the U.S. Treasury.
ESSER I (finance codes 151 and 152), GEER I (finance code 153), and ESSER II (finance codes 155 and 156) should have a draw for expenses from July 1 through September 30, 2021, by December 13, 2021. The U.S. Department of Education is requiring timely draw-down of these pandemic-relief federal awards.
ESSER III (finance codes 160 and 161) will have a first draw for July 1 through December 31, 2021, expenses on March 14, 2022. These finance codes will follow the quarterly draw schedule after the initial draw in March.
Reminder: Period of Availability Extension
As shared in the September 15, 2021 ESEA Update, the FFY19/SFY20 awards for the following ESEA Title programs were set to expire on September 30, 2021. They are now available for an additional 12 months and will expire on September 30, 2022. This extension of availability is not yet reflected in SERVS Financial.
- Title I, Part A of the ESEA (Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs), including the portions of the SEA's Title I, Part A award used to carry out section 1003 school improvement, section 1003A direct student services, if applicable, and Title I, Part D, Subpart 2
- Title I, Part B of the ESEA (State Assessment Formula Grants)
- Title I, Part C of the ESEA (Education of Migratory Children)
- Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 of the ESEA (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk)
- Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction)
- Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement)
- Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants)
- Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers)
- Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the ESEA (Rural and Low-Income School Program)
- McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
Some of these programs are for state activities or are part of competitive awards, so the extended period of availability is applied to MDE and not to specific grantees or awards. Email mde.esea@state.mn.us or your grant program contact for specifics.
Updated FAQ on ESSER and GEER Funds for Transportation
In an updated FAQ document, the U.S. Department of Education clarified more details about the use of ESSER and GEER funds to provide transportation for students, including that these funds can be used to support various transportation services for students participating in afterschool learning and enrichment activities provided by local educational agencies (LEAs).
As LEAs create plans for spending their ESSER and GEER funds to alleviate transportation barriers to student learning, they may also include their afterschool program staff and partners in those discussions, such as their Title IV, Part B – 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), Community Education, or Alternative Learning Centers/Targeted Services program staff and partners.
For assistance with questions about the allowable use of the various federal relief funds to support student transportation, either during the school day or afterschool, please contact John Ford.
New ESEA Grant Program Specialist at MDE
It is with great excitement that we share Graham Hartley started on November 10 as the newest ESEA/ESSA Grant Program Specialist at MDE. His areas of focus are Title V, Part B (REAP-RLIS), ESEA Tribal Consultation, ESEA Nonpublic Equitable Services, and supporting the grant application cycle across ESEA Title programs. He comes to MDE with a wealth of experience as a licensed teacher, a long-time associate director of a nonprofit serving American Indian youth, and most recently as a grants coach for a charter school managing many federal, state, and private grants.
Please join us in welcoming Graham to the Student Access and Opportunity division and Team MDE!
Message from the MAASFEP Board
The Minnesota Association of Administrators of State and Federal Programs (MAASFEP) has a rich history of advocating for federal education programs in support of America's youth. Additionally, MAASFEP provides support for Minnesota's educators working hard to maximize the return on investment of Title program dollars allocated for education.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have delayed our next in-person MAASFEP conference until October 5-7, 2022. October 5, 2022, will be our administrator day and October 6-7, 2022, will be our general conference. The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, MN.
We look forward to meeting with our fellow Title staff and coordinators from around the state in-person at our next conference. If you need any help, please contact the MAASFEP board and we can connect you with someone who can assist you.
MAASFEP Board
REPEAT: Professional Development Opportunity: Regional Virtual Paraeducator Conference, December 8-9, 2021
Designed for regular and special education paraeducators, teachers, and instructional leaders, conference topics include evidence-based instructional practices, effective behavior management practices, building effective instructional teams, and more. For more information, visit the National Resource Center for Paraeducators website. Contact Laura Lema if there are questions.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Join MDE Student Access and Opportunity staff in learning more about ESEA Title and ESSER/GEER grant programs. All links to join can be found on the MDE Calendar. There is no need to register unless otherwise noted.
World Languages 101 for School Leaders
Participants will gain basic knowledge about world languages education including types of programs, standards addressed, and the benefits of the program. Participants will also learn about the characteristics of effective language programs and teaching; research-based best practice, goals of the program, recommended instructional approach, and what to look for in world languages classrooms.
English Learner Coordinator Webinar
The English Learner (EL) Coordinator webinars are monthly web events for new and experienced EL program leaders and coordinators in Minnesota. Monthly topics vary and are based on timely information from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions to EL Education specialists and others from MDE during each webinar.
Title Tuesday
Join members of the MDE Equity and Opportunity team the third Tuesday of each month to learn about topics that apply to many ESEA Title programs. There is no need to register.
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