Updates from MDE: 11-27-24

department of education

November 27, 2024

No new updates


Reminder: Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects Grant Funding Available

The U.S. Department of Treasury has awarded Minnesota $50 million in federal funding to support capital projects for family and community resource centers across the state to help make Minnesota the best state for children and families. MDE is opening the application for organizations to apply for funding.

These resources will support organizations in communities that help people navigate and access resources related to health, education and the workforce. These funds are intended to meet communities and families where they are – creating a process that invests in multi-purpose centers serving families in need, many of whom are still recovering from the pandemic. An informational webinar about the grant opportunity and application process will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 4. Learn more about this grant at Minnesota Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects to Support Community Revitalization, Connectedness and Equity by Promoting Education, Work and Health – FY25.  

Reminder: Health Standards Committee Application

Applications are now open for the Health Standards Committee. Applications will close on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The Minnesota Department of Education is seeking health teachers, and representatives from many groups, as outlined in the adult and student assumptions documents. The goal of the Health Standards Committee is to develop the first state level standards in health to be the foundation for health education in Minnesota. Applicants must agree to the assumptions and the timeline and be available for all meetings from January through June 2025. In addition to the full group meetings, there will be many small group meetings scheduled to draft standards and benchmarks. Application information is available on the Health Education page.

Reminder: Registered Teacher Apprenticeships 101

Looking to get more information about registered teacher apprenticeship programs in Minnesota? Join us for a comprehensive webinar on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., where the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) will walk you through the ins and outs of the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP). This session is perfect for teacher preparation providers, school district leaders and anyone interested in learning about this innovative pathway to licensure.

In this 90-minute webinar, participants will gain a clear understanding of the apprenticeship model, key terminology and the roles of all the critical partners involved—DLI, MDE, PELSB, employers and local unions. We'll also compare Registered Apprenticeships (RAP) with Grow Your Own (GYO) and Residency programs, explore the national and Minnesota-specific landscape for teacher apprenticeships, and dive into funding opportunities available for school districts. Plus, we’ll have a Q and A session to answer all your questions. Don’t miss out—register for Registered Teacher Apprenticeships 101, and take the first step toward shaping the future of education in Minnesota!

Save the Date for Additional Webinars:

Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Deep Dive for School Districts, January 14, 3-4:30 p.m.

Registered Teacher Apprenticeships Deep Dive for Teacher Preparation Providers, January 21, 3-4:30 p.m.

Reminder: American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Final Deadlines

In order to save subgrantees from completing another application, the existing FY24 ESSER III application (finance codes 159, 160, 161, 169) in the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS) is active for expenses from July 1, 2023 through the end of the grants, including expenses for both state fiscal year 2023-24 (SFY24) and 2024-25 (SFY25). There is not a financial closeout process for the ESSER III application in MEGS because there is no possibility of carryover once all SFY24 and SFY25 expenses are reimbursed.

As a reminder, the final obligation* deadline for these funds was September 30, 2024 and the final standard liquidation** deadline is December 16, 2024.  Late liquidation requests are due to MDE by November 15; reference the ARP ESSER III Final Dates document from the MDE Federal Relief Funds webpage or contact MDE.FederalCOVIDFunds@state.mn.us for further information.

* 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.

** The liquidation date is when the subgrantee has received the properly obligated goods or services, paid using non-federal funds, and has submitted all requests for reimbursement.

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