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August 27, 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 SFY24 Timeline for ESEA Applications in MEGS and SERVS and the SFY25 Timeline for the ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS.
Review the SFY24 Timeline for ESSER III Applications in MEGS and SERVS.
Upcoming Dates:
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September 15, 2024: Submission deadline for the Intent to Become a Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program form. This document is for schools planning to be Schoolwide for the 2025-26 school year and will engage in the yearlong process to develop the Schoolwide plan during SFY25. For more information about becoming a Title I Schoolwide site, including upcoming trainings, visit the MDE ESEA Title I Schoolwide Program webpage.
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September 30, 2024: Obligation deadline for ESSER III awards (finance codes 160, 161, 169, and ARP HCY FIN159) and federal fiscal year 2022 (course code 012) ESEA Title funds (finance code 401, 406, 414, 417, 424, 433, and 442). An obligation occurs when a binding agreement is made against the award. The date on which an obligation is considered made varies according to the type of obligation, as described in 34 CFR 76.707.
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October 15, 2024: Notice of significant expansion of Charter school due.
Title IV, Part A Advisory Group SY25
Please join our second annual Advisory Group for Title IV, Part A! This group is meant to come together periodically (at least once a quarter) to provide input on new and/or improved guidance, training, and technical assistance for everything Title IV, Part A. We will start our community with an Introduction Meeting to get feedback on current training and resources and will continue building on those ideas as we move forward throughout the year. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a team that can really impact our work for and with students. Please respond to this Advisory Group survey form with your interest as we are looking to have 8-10 people from across Minnesota representing charter schools and districts of all sizes who work on planning and developing Title IV, Part A programs. We can’t wait for you to join us! If you have any questions, please reach out to Erin Abbott (erin.abbott@state.mn.us).
ICYMI: Wrapping Up SFY24: Financial Closeout, UFARS Comparison, and End of Year Reporting
There are four steps to wrapping up the SFY24 ESEA Consolidated Application in MEGS before November 30, 2024:
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Complete all reimbursement requests. All reimbursement requests must be completed before any other financial closeout activities. Subgrantees may request up to 150% of approved object class (1xx, 2xx, etc.) totals against approved object codes in each finance code. The standard limitation is 110% but finance codes 401, 406, 414, 417, 424, 433, 442, and 868 will have the increased limit for SFY24 requests only during this transition year.
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Reconcile UFARS with reimbursement requests. There is not a UFARS/MEGS comparison report. Subgrantees may find the Funding Stream Summary Report and the Payments Including Category Report helpful when reconciling UFARS with reimbursement requests. It is not necessary to reconcile by finance code + course code + object code. ESEA Title programs are satisfied as long as the subgrantee’s internal records can demonstrate the finance + object combination match between the reimbursement requests and UFARS reporting.
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Complete the Financial Closeout Report for each finance code against which there are reimbursement requests. Financial closeout will confirm the totals drawn down against each object code in each finance code. Completion of this step moves remaining funds (carryover) into the SFY25 application. This action cannot be reversed; confirm all reimbursement requests and related reconciliation is complete prior to submitting this report.
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Complete the programmatic End of Year Report submission. Required reporting and evaluation summary is a new collection in the ESEA Consolidated Application. Both the World’s Best Work Force (WBWF) summary and the CSPR Nonpublic Services survey are included in this section; no separate surveys will be sent. Subgrantees will also indicate high-level evaluation results for each project funded in each program. This section can be completed at any time before November 30 and is not dependent on financial processes.
Check the MDE Calendar for associated training dates (search for “SY24 ESEA Consolidated Application Closeout in MEGS”) or email mde.esea@state.mn.us for a recording.
ICYMI: Reimbursement Limit Increased for SFY24 ESEA Finance Codes
The Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS) allows subgrantees to draw down up to 110% of approved expenditures by object series (1xx, 2xx, etc.) in each finance code. Based on feedback from district and charter school leaders, the following programs will allow up to 150% for requests against approved SFY24 budgets:
- Title I, Part A (FIN401)
- Title II, Part A (FIN414)
- Title III, Part A (FIN417)
- Title IV, Part A (FIN433)
- Title I, Part D (FIN406)
- McKinney Vento Continuation (FIN868)
- REAP-RLIS (FIN424)
- Title III-Immigrant (FIN442)
Some subgrantees have expressed concerns with the 110% limitation since these programs do not allow amendments after April 30. In response, MDE partnered with the MEGS vendor (MTW Solutions) to increase this limitation during this first year of transition to MEGS. The 110% limitation will be restored for SFY25 budgets and beyond. Contact mde.esea@state.mn.us if there are questions about the reimbursement request limitation in these finance codes.
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ICYMI: Important: Plan Now for ESSER III Spending Deadline
Over the last few years, Minnesota has received federal COVID-19 funding – ESSER III – to help Minnesota schools support the needs of students. These funds are coming to an end on September 30, 2024, and it is critical that all funds are spent to support the important work you are doing.
Please work together as school leaders to plan and draw the remaining ESSER III 90% funds (FIN 160 and 161). Every school and district with an allocation received an email the week of June 24 with an update on your spending progress.
To support you in understanding and meeting the various deadlines, MDE has created ARP ESSER III Final Dates and is running webinars on final ESSER III 90% deadlines about once a month. The next ARP ESSER III final dates session will be July 25 at 1 p.m.
Future webinars will be posted to the MDE calendar and will take place on Aug. 23 at 10 a.m., Sept. 18 at 3 p.m., Oct. 24 at 11 a.m., and Nov. 13 at 10:30 a.m.
Please contact MDE.FederalCOVIDFunds@state.mn.us for assistance with any questions.
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ICYMI: ESEA Title I Committee of Practitioners (COP) is Seeking Members for 2024-25
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is seeking applications to serve on the Title I Committee of Practitioners (Title I COP). Individuals working with or at schools and local educational agencies that receive Title I funds are invited to apply. The Title I COP provides MDE ongoing recommendations on a variety of issues related to Title I programs. For more information, including eligibility and terms for participants, please visit the Terms for the Title I Committee of Practitioners webpage. COP meetings will take place virtually during school year 2024-25 via Microsoft Teams.
The Title I Committee of Practitioners application must be submitted by September 3, 2024. MDE staff will contact applicants in early September via email regarding application status. Meetings are tentatively scheduled for the following dates:
- Wednesday, October 9, 1-2 p.m. (orientation)
- Wednesday, December 11, 1-3 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 26, 1-3 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 30, 1-3 p.m.
Send questions via email to ESEA Title I, Part A Title Programs at mde.esea@state.mn.us.
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ICYMI: Invitation to Apply: English Learner Stakeholder Input Group (ELSIG)
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is seeking applications from educators, parents and community members to serve on the English Learner Stakeholder Input Group (ELSIG). The purpose of the ELSIG is to provide MDE ongoing recommendations on a variety of issues relating to the improvement of standards, instruction and assessment for the state’s English learners (ELs). It is composed of educators, parents and community members from throughout the state who are knowledgeable about the educational needs of ELs.
The time commitment is two hours (1 to 3 p.m.) on each of three dates during the 2024-25 school year (October 28, 2024, January 13, 2025, and April 7, 2025) with the possibility of additional survey requests by email. Meetings will be held online.
Complete the ELSIG application by Friday, August 30, 2024.
Selected applicants will be notified by the middle of September 2024.
Please contact Julie Chi (651-582-8444) if there are any questions.
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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.
Back-to-School Event for Newcomer Families
This event is designed for families, service providers, and community members to gain insights into various educational programs and services, including English Learner Education, Special Education, the Bilingual Seals program, the READ Act, Kindergarten Fall Assessments, rights to language assistance, standardized testing and individual student reports, Early Childhood Screening, the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
ARP ESSER III Final Dates
Join MDE staff to learn about the final deadlines for ARP ESSER III federal grants. Topics will include obligation and liquidation deadlines, close out processes and possible liquidation extensions. The session will refer to this posted document: ARP ESSER III Final Dates. Note: this is a repeat of previous sessions with the same name.
SY24 ESEA Consolidated Application Closeout in MEGS
Join MDE staff for a session focused on the SY24 ESEA Consolidated Application closeout and end of year reporting process in the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS). An overview of the requirements and a demonstration of the actions in MEGS will be provided.
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 IA Fiscal Requirements for General Education
Business office staff are especially encouraged to attend this timely session explaining three annual ESEA requirements regarding the allocation and expenditure of state and local resources for general education. These requirements are conditions for receiving Title I, Part A funds. Examples of appropriate evidence will be shared. The carryover limit and waiver process will also be explained.
Parent Notices Overview: Minnesota District and Support Staff
TransAct is offering Minnesota-specific training for support staff to learn more about accessing and using translated letters and forms. Join TransAct for a free 30-minute overview of Parent Notices. MDE provides this resource for ALL districts within the state of Minnesota at no cost! You will learn how to register, log in, and locate forms and letters in multiple languages to help your district meet state and federal parent communication requirements.
Visit the MDE calendar for registration links. Webinar dates:
Administrator webinars:
- August 27, 8-8:30 a.m.
- September 4, 8-8:30 a.m.
- September 11, 10:30-11 a.m.
Support Staff webinars:
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