ESSA Newsletter

The backpacks are packed, the bells are ringing,

And a brand-new school year is officially swinging.

When federal programs bring questions your way,

We're here to help save the day.

Here's to smooth sailing, fewer surprises,

And a school year full of well-earned successes!

- Tami, Mercedez, and Monica

www.esc15.net/titlei

The 2025-26 ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports and Rural Low Income Schools (RLIS, if applicable) are are available in eGrants. They are due this month: September 30. TEA's resources are linked below:

• Mockups, Instructions, and Videos
• What happens if LEA reports Not in Compliance?
• Program Compliance Self-Check Guide

If you contract with ESC 15 for ESSA Support, Tami or Mercedez have completed the report(s) on your behalf.

Please note: reports submitted after the due date will result in points being added to the school system’s risk assessment. Reports that are not submitted at all will result in programmatic non-compliance points being added to the school system’s risk assessment for all programs, in addition to points added for non-submission.

TEA has posted revised 2026–2027 planning amounts for ESSA formula grant programs on the Grant Allocations and Award Balances webpage.

What school systems need to know:

• Revised amounts may be higher or lower than the planning amounts posted in April 2026.
• If you have already submitted your ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application, you may be able to adjust budgets and support schedules during the negotiation process.
• If you have not yet submitted, the application now reflects the revised planning amounts. Applications are due September 3, 2026.
• These amounts are based on the latest U.S. Department of Education data and PEIMS corrections.
• Allocations may change again when final amounts are posted in January/February 2027.

Have you ever wondered how your Title I allocation is calculated? You're in luck! TEA has developed a dashboard to help you understanding your funding calculations.

• Title I Eligibility Dashboard - scroll below the entitlements dashboard
• Pre-recorded training - this training will help you understand the concepts.

Quick reminder! Title IV, Part A is now Fund 214. Here's the scoop:

The Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG), Version 20, became effective June 21, 2026. One of the updates included in this revision was the addition of Fund Code 214, Title IV, Part A–Student Support and Academic Enrichment. As a result, Notice of Grant Award (NOGA) certificates for the 2026–2027 ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application have been updated, as applicable, to reflect the new fund code for Title IV, Part A.

Beginning with 2026–2027 grant awards, school systems should use Fund Code 214 for financial accounting and reporting requirements associated with Title IV, Part A.

Questions? Let us know or contact: financialaccountability@tea.texas.gov

In order to help schools implement compliant programs, TEA has published frequently asked questions for various program areas.

ESSA:

• Title I-A FAQ (08/25)
• Title I-D FAQ (11/22)
• Title II-A FAQ (09/25)
• Title IV-A FAQ (09/25)
• ESSA Private Nonprofit Equitable Services (09/25)

There have been several changes to EDGAR and UGG purchasing requirements over the past few years. We've updated our EDGAR procurement checklist to reflect these changes. As always, you should refer to your local policies and procedures prior to using this resource. You are required to use the most restrictive method of procurement, which could be your own local policies and procedures. Click on the images below to download the EDGAR Procurement Checklist and Sample Document.

Our BOY ESSA Checklist is ready for you to use! Click the image or the title above to download it.

Please share this reference sheet with your Title I principals!

Occasionally, people wonder if a proposed activity aligns with the intent and purpose of the Title I-A Schoolwide program. To help you out, we made a reference sheet from the USDE Schoolwide guidance document. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of allowable uses....just some ideas from the federal level.

As a component for our upcoming Title II training, we have compiled a quick reference sheet for the requirements of the Title II program.

Note: Most of our Region 15 districts use REAP/Transfer, so these requirements most likely do not apply to you.

It's a great idea to begin with the end in mind!

To help you prepare for your 2026-27 compliance reports, we’ve updated our District and Campus Compliance Checklists to align with TEA’s latest ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports Program Compliance Self-Check Guide (Version 8.2).

Take a few minutes to review your checklist now and please share them with relevant staff members in your district. It’ll make the reporting process much smoother later! As always, we’re here if you need us! Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or for support.

This year, we're trying something new! We're incentivizing you to engage and attend. Grab your 2026-27 ESSA Passport and attend sessions to win prizes. You can view the schedule here: 2026-2027 Region 15 ESSA Workshop Schedule.

Coffee Chats

Our ESSA team hosts a coffee chat on the first Tuesday of the month. At times, we may have to adjust the coffee chat schedule to accommodate meetings with TEA or travel. Coffee chat dates/times are included in our professional development schedule. During our coffee chats, we review the monthly newsletter and answer any questions you may have.

TEA's Department of Grant Compliance and Administration (GCA), in partnership with the ACET LEA CNA Committee, is launching Statewide Office Hours for 2026. These bi-weekly sessions are designed to provide timely updates, practical guidance, and an opportunity for open discussion with districts across the state.

Office Hours will be held on alternating Thursdays from 2:00–3:00 p.m. and began February 12, 2026. The next session will take place September 10.

Agendas will be shared the Monday prior to each session via GovDelivery. District staff are encouraged to register and participate in these valuable conversations to stay informed and connected. Register here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LJOrFAg9TXOJ_EuA6pScpQ

*once you register, you'll receive a calendar invitation for all scheduled events*

TEA will provide a statewide virtual training this month to inform school systems of the program monitoring validation process for the 2026-27 school year. We strongly encourage you to attend! You may register by clicking the image below or click here.

Time and Effort continues to be one of the areas districts struggle with in fiscal monitoring. As a result, TEA will be delivering a full day training on time and effort requirements at six different sites across Texas. The training will be delivered by TEA’s Cory Green, Nick Davis, and Cal Lopez.

• August 12 – Region 10 (Richardson) – Register here
• August 18 – Region 6 (Huntsville) – Register here
• September 9 – Region 13 (Austin) – Register here
• September 29 – Region 2 (Corpus Christi) – Register here
• October 13 – Region 17 (Lubbock) - Register here
• October 23 – Region 4 (Houston) – Register here

Registration is free. We hope you’re able to attend one!

GCACon (Grant Compliance Administration Conference) is the premier, all-in-one professional development event designed to break down silos and streamline the experience for all education staff. This year’s conference represents an evolution, consolidating the Parent & Family Engagement (PFE) conference with all other Federal Title Programs under the Grant Compliance Administration Department at the TEA. By offering a singular, high-impact destination, GCACon respects district time and travel budgets. GCACon will be held November 10-12 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX.

The GCA Con Attendee Guide is full of information and FAQ to help enhance your experience.

For more information on pricing and to register, please visit the GCACon webpage.

We hope that your parents will decide to take plunge and dive into this incredible parenting course, Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors! We believe it will be different from most classes parents have taken and books that they have read to learn more about neuroscience, the effects of toxic stress, and parenting strategies.

The content is so rich and full of information and knowledge for parents to share a new way to look at things! There will be opportunities for discussions, questions, and examples that we can all talk about.

Also, along with the Zoom Classes, Anne (the presenter) will be sending parents a workbook, refrigerator sheets and other resources for them to use to reflect and use with their own personal family and children. We have actually had parents say they use the language and concepts with each other!

Classes start Thursday, August 20th at 11:30 am. Parents are welcome to come, it is FREE of charge and a great resource.

Once parents register, Anne sends them the zoom link to connect. She will also send it out before the session so it is at the top of their e-mails.

Please see the attached flyer to register and feel free to share it out with your parents!!

Big change this year! Our required PFE workshops will be held in person, one in the fall and one in the spring and will not be recorded.

Join us September 2 from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. as we cover:

• Annual Title I meeting requirements,
• PFE evaluations, and
• Building capacity

We’ll also hear from specialists in Pre-K, Head Start, Bilingual Education, McKinney-Vento, Migrant Education, Mental Health, and other programs that support families. This is especially helpful for our smaller districts where staff members often wear many hats!

We look forward to seeing you September 2, the link and QR code below to register!

Join us in person as we break down PFE Policies and School-Parent Compacts and turn them from compliance documents into meaningful tools that truly support families.

Through guided activities, examples, and collaboration, you’ll learn how to create (or refine) policies and compacts that reflect your campus, meet ESSA requirements, and actually work for your families.
Whether you're starting from scratch or ready for a refresh, this session will help you move from “checking the box” to creating something impactful.

Click here to register!

This event provides the tools you need to support your student's education while offering a space to engage with experts and participate in meaningful peer discussions with other parents.

What You Will Gain:

• Practical Strategies: Get helpful advice and resources to support your student’s academic progress and success.
• Stronger Partnerships: Learn how to build effective working relationships with school faculty and staff.
• Collaborative Dialogue: Join group sessions with other parents to discuss the real challenges and opportunities of parenting today.
• Increased Engagement: Discover new ways to stay involved in all aspects of your child’s education and lead as an advocate.
• Peer Community: Connect with a supportive network of parents to share experiences and build confidence in your role.

Topic: PFE 101: Title I, Part A Parent & Family Engagement Requirements

Time: Feb 3, 2027 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

https://Region10.zoom.us/j/9723481434?omn=83525053656

Instructional & Fiscal Alignment: Provides a singular destination to manage programs effectively from both an instructional and a compliance perspective.

Budget Efficiency: Consolidating multiple initiatives into one event respects district time and travel budgets.

High-Impact Learning: Includes 85+ breakout sessions and intensive Micro Institutes for deep dives into each programmatic area for intensive, specialized knowledge.

Direct Updates: Attendees receive critical updates directly from Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Education Service Center (ESC) officials and National Leaders such as The Bruman Group, PLLC.

Professional Development: Earn approximately 17 clock hours of credit.

Extended Resources: Registration includes three months of access to the conference app and all digital session materials for ongoing district-wide training.

Introducing the Engaging Texas Families Podcast, a new podcast from the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative!

Each episode, we’ll help you connect, grow, and empower your family with practical tips and insightful conversations. We’ll explore the tools, strategies, and resources you need to be an engaged and confident partner in your child’s success.

Email: federalprograms@esc15.net
Website: www.esc15.net/titlei
Location: 612 South Irene Street, San Angelo, TX, USA
Phone: 325-658-6571
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Region15ESC
Twitter: @Region15ESC