|
April 23, 2024
Prior editions of the ESEA Update can be found on the MDE ESEA Federal Title Programs webpage. "ICYMI" means "in case you missed it" and highlights when a topic is a repeat from a prior ESEA Update.
Timeline Reminders
Review the SY24 Timeline for ESEA Applications in MEGS and SERVS.
Review the SY24 Timeline for ESSER III Applications in MEGS and SERVS.
Upcoming Dates:
-
April 30, 2024, at 3 p.m.: ESEA Title Application Spring Amendment Window Closes. Reference the ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS Submission Checklist to learn what may be edited during this window. Note: All object codes must be entered into MEGS by April 30. The object class series (100, 200, 300, etc.) under each finance code needs to be within 10% of spending. It is recommended LEAs review their applications and ensure their plans and spending are in alignment.
-
First week of May 2024: SFY25 ESEA Consolidated Application opens in MEGS. The initial submission is due on or before July 1 at 3 p.m. LEAs may begin to obligate SFY25 expenses on July 1, 2024 or the date of submission, whichever is later.
FFY24/SFY25 Preliminary Award Update
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has released the preliminary ESEA Title awards for federal fiscal year 2024 (school year 2025). The preliminary Title I, Part A allocation to Minnesota is stable, showing a slight increase as a state. Individual LEAs may experience an increase or decrease in the preliminary LEA allocations.
The "State tables by program" MS Excel file on the Fiscal Years 2022-2024 State Tables for the U.S. Department of Education website includes estimates of the FFY24/SFY25 awards to states. LEAs may find this information helpful when planning for next year.
MDE is working with MN.IT partners to complete the allocation calculations as quickly as possible. The MEGS application may open before allocations are available. In this case, LEAs will be able to complete all sections of the application except for the Budget Information under each finance code. Allocations will be loaded as soon as they are available.
Contact Alicia Waeffler if you have questions about ESEA Title allocations.
Back to Top
Requirement Reminder: Providing and describing a general education program
Section 1112 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) specifies the requirements for local educational agency (LEA) plans in order to receive a Title I, Part A award. In addition to information about how Title I, Part A funds will be used, the LEA is required to provide information about the general education program. Such information serves as context for how the accepted Title I, Part A funds will supplement, as intended, the LEA’s general education program. The LEA plan must describe how the general education program:
- provides a well-rounded educational program to meet the academic needs of all students;
- identifies students who may be at risk of not meeting academic standards;
- provides additional assistance to individual students who need help;
- implements strategies to strengthen academic programs and improve school conditions for student learning.
Regardless of how Title I, Part A funds are allocated, the plan must also describe how the LEA’s overall program:
- addresses any disparities that low-income students and minority students are taught at higher rates than other students by ineffective, inexperienced, or out-of-field teachers;
- reduces the overuse of discipline practices that remove students from the classroom;
- coordinates with LEA and community early childhood programs to facilitate the transition to local elementary schools; and
- facilitates effective student transitions from middle grades to high school and from high school to postsecondary education.
The purpose of ESEA, in general, and Title I, Part A, in particular, is to supplement local schools and improve outcomes for each and every student. Contact mde.ESEA@state.mn.us if there are questions.
Back to Top
ICYMI: SY25 ESEA Consolidated Application Update
The SY25 ESEA Consolidated Application will be available in the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS) in early May. The initial application is due June 30 (it will be open until July 1 at 3 p.m. since June 30 is on a Sunday).
MDE has scheduled several sessions to support LEAs in completing the application. Check the MDE Calendar for dates, times, and links to the MS Team sessions. There is no need to register and participants may attend as many sessions as desired.
Sessions and Dates:
-
Overview of the SY25 ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS. Offered: May 6, May 14, May 29, June 7, and June 25.
-
Writing Projects in the ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS. Offered: April 18, April 29, May 13, and May 28.
-
Title I, Part A – School Participation and Site Level Plans in MEGS. Offered: May 7, May 15, and June 5.
-
Title I, Part A – LEA Set-Asides and LEA Activities in MEGS. Offered: April 30, May 22, June 6, and June 24.
-
New ESEA Contact in MDE ORG. Offered: May 1 and will be recorded. Email MDE.ESEA@state.mn.us for recording after the May 1 session.
Additionally, the May and June sessions of Title Tuesday (third Tuesday of each month, from 10 to 11 a.m.) will be repurposed as office hours to support application completion – stop in to ask questions and receive real-time support.
Back to Top
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Join the MDE Student Access and Opportunity staff for upcoming trainings. All links to join can be found on the MDE Calendar. There is no need to register unless otherwise noted.
Foster Care Point of Contact (POC) Office Hours
Provide space for district and charter school Foster POCs to be able to collaborate and seek answers to their questions.
Title I, Part A Schoolwide Programs: Overview and High-Quality Design
Please join MDE staff in exploring high-quality program design for Title I, Part A Targeted Assistance Programs. Schools will learn more about what Targeted Assistance Programs are, what flexibility is possible, and how to design a high-quality program.
Writing Projects in the ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS
What are projects in the ESEA Consolidated Application? How do I translate our plans into an approvable project? Join MDE staff for a session on writing projects in MEGS that accurately reflect the activities, rationale, intended outcomes, and evaluation plan of your strategic work.
Title I, Part A – LEA Set-Asides and LEA Activities in MEGS
Join MDE staff for a session focused on how to describe and budget for the required and optional LEA set-asides in Title I, Part A, the Homeless Set-Aside, Family Engagement, and Neglected Set-Aside will be specifically addressed. The process to make the LEA reservations in MEGS, create associated projects, and enter budgets will be included.
Back to Top
ESEA Contact in MDE ORG
Join MDE staff for an introduction to the new MDE-ORG option to enter the ESEA program contacts to load into MEGS for SY25. A review of the MEGS Central Data Collection contacts section will be included. LEAs will no longer have the option to enter ESEA contacts in MEGS and will need to enter them in MDE-ORG to be loaded into MEGS. Email MDE.ESEA@state.mn.us for recording after the May 1 session.
English Learner (EL) 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.
Overview of the SY25 ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS
Join MDE staff for an introduction to and overview of the SY25 ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS. The SY25 timeline, requirements, and narrative questions will be shared. Review how to create projects (see separate session for an in-depth guide to writing projects) and how to enter budgets, including handling indirect cost. Learn tips and tricks for avoiding and resolving common application errors.
Back to Top
Title I, Part A – School Participation and Site Level Plans in MEGS
Join MDE staff for a deep dive into the Title I, Part A section of the ESEA Consolidated Application. Learn how to complete the "Schools Served and Allocations" tab, including steps 1a through 4. Explore the new Schoolwide Plan Summary and Targeted Assistance Plan Summary documents that will replace narrative questions in the application.
New to ESEA Title Programs Networking Session
Each meeting will cover all things related to the implementation of activities funded by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Each session will include new learning and ample time for questions, answers, and networking.
Professional Development and Title III
Participants will learn best practices for professional development using Title III, Part A funds to improve outcomes for English learners.
Foster Care Point of Contact Network
The Foster Care Point of Contact (POC) Network is a statewide community of practice centered on ensuring district and charter school POCs know and understand key roles and responsibilities in supporting educational stability for students in foster care. Participants will collaborate with peers and statewide partners to share learning and leverage effective, evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes.
Back to Top
|
