ESSA/ESSER Newsletter

Greetings!🌟

Welcome to our Back-to-School edition of our ESSA/ESSER Newsletter! This newsletter has updated checklists, timelines, and the latest information on upcoming due dates. Let's make this school year one to remember! 🎉

Reach out to us with your questions!

- Tami Knight, Mercedez Rassi, and Monica Diaz

Each program under the 2023-2024 ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant Application has a program compliance report. Additionally, the 2023-2024 Rural and Low-Income Schools Grant program compliance report is required for LEAs that applied for funding in the 2023-2024 grant year. All LEAs that applied for funding on their own, as fiscal agents, or as members of shared services arrangements in the 2023-2024 grant year are required to complete applicable compliance reports.

Reports are due via eGrants by September 30, 2024. Reports submitted after the due date or not submitted may result in points added to the LEA's risk assessment.

23-24 ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports:

Mockups, Instructions, and Videos

23-24 RLIS Compliance Report:

Mockups, Instructions, and Videos

*** Tami and Mercedez will complete these reports on behalf of those districts that contract with ESC 15 for ESSA Support. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

The 2024-2025 PNP Affirmation of Consultation form is available for download on TEA's ESSA Private School Equitable Services webpage.

• The 2024-2025 PNP Affirmation of Consultation form is also available for download on ESC 20 Title I, Capacity Building Initiative webpage.
• LEAs should not submit 2024-2025 PNP Affirmations through TEA’s TEAL ESSA Reports system.
• 2024-2025 PNP Affirmation of Consultation forms will be due in the new FPC PNP Affirmation WorkApp Smartsheet no later than September 30, 2024.
• The new FPC PNP Affirmation WorkApp Instructions will tentatively be posted for 2024-2025 LEA Affirmation submissions by August 15, 2024.

Statewide 2024-2025 PNP Affirmation WorkApp training and Office Hour sessions:

• PNP Affirmation WorkApp Training Session, August 7, 2024 (9 a.m. – 10 a.m.) – revised date
• Voiced-Over presentation and resources will be posted on the TEA ESSA PNP webpage, once available, tentatively August 15.
• PNP Affirmation Office Hours, August 28 (1 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
• PNP Affirmation Office Hours, September 24 (9 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)

2023-24 Program Monitoring: Random Validations Resubmission Reminders:

LEAs that received an “Improvement Needed” status during 23-24 Random Validations are required to resubmit documentation showing evidence of compliance for the 2024-2025 year by September 30, 2024. LEAs required to resubmit documentation were sent a reminder email via the Smartsheet WorkApp system on July 29, 2024. ESC WorkApp communication list contacts were copied on the emails. In the email, LEAs received a link to access the timeline and documentation submission instructions. The program-specific handbooks can be found on the FPC RV Webpage. LEAs will be submitting documentation using the FPC Program Monitoring Validations WorkApp system. Please reach out to Monica Diaz for information on Random Validation resubmissions.

2024-25 Program Monitoring Statewide Virtual Session: Register NOW!

On 10/2/24, the TEA Federal Program Compliance Division will provide information related to the LEA programmatic monitoring process the Division will use in 2024-2025. Participants will learn about the parameters for LEA selection, the programs included in the monitoring process, and the requirements selected for documentation review. Resources will be shared, and time will be allotted for questions.

Please register now for this very important and informative session: 2024-2025 Program Monitoring Validations Process Virtual Statewide Training

This is a reminder that when you accept federal grant funds, you make a pinky promise to follow all the rules and guidelines associated with the grant program, including using them properly and running the program in accordance with statute. We do our very best to address these requirements in our trainings, but there are always some requirements that may go unmentioned.

So, how can you stay in the know when it comes to grant requirements? You can always find your grant's Program Guidelines and Provisions and Assurances on TEA's Grant Opportunities Page. Please make sure to read these and keep on top of any erratas that may come out.

These documents are super important when managing your federal grants because audits and random validations will surround items stipulated in these documents. If you have questions on these documents, please reach out!

Please remember, you must set aside at least 20% of your ESSER III Final Amount for academic learning loss and SEL activities. This is documented and checked for compliance through the annual USDE reports, so you need to identify the amount your district has already reported in the set-aside section.

USDE will question if your district does not identify at least 20% of your funds as part of this set-aside, so please make sure you are coding them correctly in the USDE Report!

The Department of Grant Compliance and Administration conducts an Annual Federal Fiscal Risk Assessment of sub-recipients to evaluate and mitigate the risk of non-compliance as required by federal grant regulations. Based on the outcome of the annual risk assessment, sub-recipients are assigned a risk status of low, medium, or high, which is evaluated annually. The risk level is primarily utilized to determine the agency’s fiscal monitoring plan for federal grant programs. Note that TEA monitors LEAs from all risk levels.

To access your district's risk assessment, you need access to your LEA's Smartsheet WorkApp:

1. Access the TEA Smartsheet WorkApp site.
2. Select Risk Assessment WorkApp.
3. Select LEA Name and CDN when the 2024-2025 GCA Risk Assessment page displays.
4. Click on the Attachments link and click on the LEA RA Report.pdf title.
5. The report will download to your computer's download folder.
6. Click on the downloaded report to view your 2024-2025 LEA Risk Assessment Status Designation Report.
7. Each LEA report includes points assigned by indicator, total risk assessment score, and risk status designation for 2024-2025.

The FY19-FY24 Risk Status Designation Report is also accessible by following the steps above. As new reports are published, they will also be added to the navigation pane for easy access and review, ensuring that all relevant information is readily available for LEAs.

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

ESSA:

• Title I-A FAQ (06/23)
• Title II-A FAQ (06/23)
• Title IV-A FAQ (06/23)
• ESSA Private Nonprofit Equitable Services (07/23)

ESSER:

• ESSER FAQ
• ESSER Side-by-Side Comparison

Homeless Reservation

In your ESSA application, your district is required to reserve funds to serve students identified as homeless (even if you currently do not have any students identified as such).

The amount you reserve should be based upon a *documented* needs assessment. TEA has provided a very useful tool to help you with this process. Check out the document linked below!

All of our resources have been updated for the 24-25 school year! Click the items below to download!

Be sure to carefully review and address each task that is relevant to your district. If you aren't sure, reach out to Tami, Mercedez or Monica and we can help!

2024-25 Program Monitoring Statewide Virtual Session: Register NOW!

On 10/2/24, the TEA Federal Program Compliance Division will provide information related to the LEA programmatic monitoring process the Division will use in 2024-2025. Participants will learn about the parameters for LEA selection, the programs included in the monitoring process, and the requirements selected for documentation review. Resources will be shared, and time will be allotted for questions.

Please register now for this very important and informative session: 2024-2025 Program Monitoring Validations Process Virtual Statewide Training

HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Our 24-25 ESSA/ESSER PD sessions have been tentatively scheduled! Keep in mind, our PD dates are always subject to change because of required trainings that we may be asked to attend.

Join us for our Federal Programs Coffee Chats! These are very informal Zoom meetings where participants log in, hear a few updates, and ask questions. Click the picture below to access the flyer and a live link to our Zoom meeting.

Don't forget to register for the following virtual workshops or attend a one day workshops that will cover all four virtual workshops!

• Sept. 18th - 9am-12pm
• Nov. 13th - 1pm-4pm
• Feb. 12th - 9am-12pm
• May 7th - 9am-12pm

Or the in-person workshop on November 20th from 9am-4pm!

• Notify parents of their right to request and receive information regarding the professional qualifications of the student’s classroom teachers.

• Consult with parents and families to jointly develop or revise and agree upon and distribute the District and Campus Parental Engagement Policies.

• Consult with parents and families to develop or revise and agree upon the School-Parent Compact.

• Each Title I, Part A campus has a school-parent compact that outlines how the parents, the entire school staff, and the students share responsibility for improved student achievement and by the means the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the State’s high standards.

• Schedule two (2) fall Title I, Part A Annual Parent Meetings – different days and different times during the day, per TEA (usually convene meeting in September).

• Shall provide assistance to parents in understanding the challenging State standards, State and local assessments, and how to monitor a child’s progress. (This can be provided at a time other than August.)

• Shall provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children’s achievement. (This is frequently provided as an ongoing task through the school year.)

• Shall educate teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals, and other school leaders, and other staff members, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of the contributions of parents. (The training could be at a time other than August.)

Our Mental Health Specialist, Anne Hardegree is bringing back parent courses to help parents with understanding their child's behavior and how to help their child regulate their behavior. It is once a week and being offered during lunch and in the evening. Please share this great opportunity with your parents! Please have them register.

These are smaller versions of the PFE Statewide Conference and in Region 20, they will be having a day two for just parents to attend! More information to come out later but please save the date!

• Cluster Region 9 (Wichita Falls) - November 12th
• Cluster Region 14 (Abilene) - November 14th
• Cluster Region 20 (San Antonio) - December 4th (Parent Conference on December 5th)
• Cluster Region 17 (Lubbock) - February 25th (Parent Conference on February 26th)

Please share the following FREE sessions with your parents and families! The PFE Statewide Initiative and CoolSpeak team up to provide Parent Summer Learning Series. Space is limited so please get your parents to register early for the sessions!

This new website is designed to support districts in empowering parents to navigate the school system with ease. Explore a wealth of resources, including informative newsletters, best practice expos, and up-to-date conference information. Whether you're seeking guidance, staying informed, or looking for ways to engage with the educational community, this website has it all. Check it out today!

We can't thank our sponsors, volunteers, and presenters enough for helping with our first back-to-school parent and family conference! We had 97 parents, 219 children, 18 community agencies, 35 parent sessions, and so much fun!!!!

Sponsors: Region 15, H-E-B, McKinney-Vento Program, SAMs Club, Lion’s Club, Wal-Mart & Superior HealthPlan, Leo’s Import, Ranch and Famous, McDonalds, Chick-fil-a, Migrant Education Program, Eggemeyers, Toys for Tots!

Is there anything we can do to help you with your ESSA programs? Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Our contact information is below.

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