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October 24, 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.
In this Edition
- Timeline Reminders
- Foster Care Transportation Agreements
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Importance of Arts Education and Possibilities within the ESEA
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Wrapping Up SFY24: Financial Closeout, UFARS Comparison, and End of Year Reporting
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
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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November 1, 2024: The SY25 ESEA Consolidated Application Required Fall Amendment window opens in MEGS
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November 30, 2024: Final date to closeout SFY24 application. Both the End of Year Report and the financial closeout should be completed
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December 15, 2024: Required Fall Amendment Window closes;
Optional Spring Amendment Window opens; Last day to submit a reimbursement request against course code 012 funding
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Foster Care Transportation Agreements
In preparation for ESEA Consolidated Application Fall Amendment window opening November 1, 2024, it is time to review the important components of the Foster Care Transportation Agreements between the Local Educational Agency (LEA) and the county or counties with which agreements are required. We appreciate the efforts LEAs and counties are making to support students as they navigate change and challenge in their lives. Stability in their educational environment can be a positive contributor to student success.
The Foster Care Transportation agreement must be uploaded each year during the Fall Amendment window in MEGS with the ESEA Consolidated application. In addition to the services and responsibilities of each party embedded in the Foster Care Transportation Agreement, it is essential for the agreement between the LEA and each county to include:
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Effective Term: The agreement must include set of effective dates including the entire school year for which the document is being uploaded. Recently, many agreements have been put in place that cover multiple years. This is not only acceptable but encouraged. Some agreements have been created without an expiration date. These agreements are acceptable; however, they should include an ability to revisit or terminate the agreement if required by either party.
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Approval: Agreements must be signed by both LEA and county representatives with appropriate signatory authority.
If either the effective term or approvals are not part of the submitted agreement, the application will be returned for revision.
Questions regarding Foster Transportation Agreements can be sent to MDE.FosterCareEd@state.mn.us.
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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.
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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.
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.
Title I, Part A Targeted Assistance Program Essentials
Join MDE staff for information about Title I, Part A Targeted Assistance Programs. This session will provide information about Targeted Assistance Program requirements, high quality design, requirements for Targeted Assistance Programs, and offer an opportunity for questions. This session is offered quarterly.
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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.
Completing the Required SY25 ESEA Consolidated Application Fall Amendment Window in MEGS
This session will provide an overview of the actions required during the fall amendment window (November 1–December 30) for the ESEA Consolidated Application in the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS). This application includes funding under finance codes 401, 406, 414, 417, and 433.
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Foster Care POC Network Office Hours
Providing Districts and Charter Schools Point of Contact (POC) a space to come and find answers for their questions.
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.
Title I, Part A Schoolwide Program Essentials
Join MDE staff for information about Title I, Part A Schoolwide Programs. This session will provide information about Schoolwide Plan requirements, high quality design, requirements for Schoolwide Programs, and offer an opportunity for questions. This session is offered quarterly.
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ESEA Nonpublic Equitable Services
Public school district leaders servicing nonpublic schools participating in ESEA Title programs and nonpublic school leaders participating in ESEA Title programs.
McKinney-Vento Act 101 in Our Schools
Become familiar with McKinney-Vento Act requirements, especially those related to identification of students experiencing homelessness. Understand why identification and services are required and important, and homelessness can occur in any community. Know specific elements, activities and resources in order to comply with the requirements and to ensure awareness and identification.
Title Tuesdays
Learn about topics that apply to many Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title programs.
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