News from the Federal Program Compliance Division
2025-2026 Statewide Virtual Training: LEA Private Nonprofit (PNP) Affirmation of Consultation – Smartsheet WorkApp Data Submission
To comply with requirements stated in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Title I, Part A, Section 1117(b)(5), and Title VIII, Part F, Section 8501(c)(5), each Local Education Agency (LEA) must submit a signed Affirmation of Consultation form to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) State Ombudsman. This form must be signed by officials from each participating private school to confirm that meaningful consultation has taken place.
TEA will host a training session to guide LEAs in submitting the 2025–2026 Private Nonprofit (PNP) Affirmation of Consultation form through the Federal Program Compliance (FPC) PNP Affirmation Smartsheet WorkApp. All affirmations must be submitted via the PNP Affirmations Smartsheet WorkApp by September 30, 2025.
To ensure a productive training experience, attendees are encouraged to review the 2025–2026 Smartsheet WorkApp - LEA PNP Affirmation of Consultation Submission Instructions available on the TEA ESSA Private School Equitable Services webpage. The accompanying Instructional Handbook will be released on July 1, 2025.
The 2025–2026 PNP Affirmation of Consultation forms for both formula grants and the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) discretionary grant can also be downloaded from the TEA ESSA Private School Equitable Services webpage.
Please note: Revisions to PNP Affirmation of Consultation forms—due to private school closures, program participation changes, or declined private school participation in equitable services—must be submitted via the Smartsheet WorkApp no later than the ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application final amendment date, June 2, 2026.
Upcoming TEA PNP Statewide Sessions
Two statewide opportunities will be held, on September 5, 2025, and September 19, 2025, for training and LEA questions regarding submission of 2025-2026 PNP Affirmation of Consultation forms for formula grants through the FPC PNP Affirmations Smartsheet WorkApp.
Statewide Training Session
The Federal Program Compliance Division will host one virtual statewide training and one Office Hour question and answer (Q&A) session on the 2025–2026 PNP Affirmation Smartsheet WorkApp process for formula grants. Attendance is free. A recorded, narrated presentation of the submission instructions will be posted on the Federal Program Compliance Division Resources webpage after the training. Advance registration is required for the training session.
September 5, 2025, | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Central Time
Statewide PNP Affirmations WorkApp Virtual Training for Formula Grants
Training Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_diwNT5VkSWirWtZAWh8nhw#/registration.
TEA PNP Ombudsman Office Hours – Question and Answer (Q&A) Session
The statewide Q&A session offers an open forum for participants to ask questions specifically about LEA PNP Affirmation of Consultation Smartsheet submission requirements and related formula grant resources. The session, led by the PNP Ombudsman, will not be recorded.
A summary Q&A document will be posted on the Federal Program Compliance Division Resources webpage approximately two weeks after the session.
Advance registration is required to attend the PNP Ombudsman Office Hour.
September 19, 2025, | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Central Time Statewide PNP Affirmations WorkApp Office Hours for Formula Grants
Q&A Session Registration Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/nZEWQFpTR1y3G87FXgw6iA.
Resources
The following resources will be referenced during the training sessions:
Contact Information
For questions about LEA PNP Equitable Services formula grant requirements or the PNP Affirmation Smartsheet WorkApp, contact the TEA Federal Program Compliance Division at PNPOmbudsman@tea.texas.gov.
For assistance with the Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC discretionary grant and its requirements, reach out to the TEA Division of Expanded Learning Models at 21stcentury@tea.texas.gov.
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