ESSA Newsletter

Hello there! We hope this message finds you well—and maybe enjoying those last sips of summer before the bell rings. As we all gear up for a brand-new school year, we’re excited to bring you the latest updates, helpful reminders, and a few bright spots to start your semester on the right foot. Here’s to fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and a successful year ahead. Let’s dive in!

- Tami Knight, Mercedez Rassi, and Monica Diaz

www.esc15.net/titlei

July 3, 2025 – Initial Delay Notification

• The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) notified TEA on June 30, 2025, that routine federal formula and discretionary grants for FY 2025—including Title I, Part C (Migrant), Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction), Title III, Part A (English Language Acquisition), Title IV, Part A (Student Support & Academic Enrichment), and Title IV, Part B (21st CCLC)—would not be awarded on July 1 due to the federal administration’s ongoing review.

• TEA explained the impacts:

  • Other federal grants (outside the listed ones) were unaffected.

  • No timeline for award release had been provided. USDE has until September 30, 2026 to obligate funds.

• Action guidance:

• School systems were advised to review budgets and consider alternate funding sources.

• Entities were encouraged to still complete their ESSA Consolidated Application in eGrants, and NOGAs would be issued as normal with the understanding that TEA would not release suspended funds until they were received from USDE.

July 25, 2025 – Funding Released, Additional Conditions

• On July 21, 2025, USDE released the Title IV, Part B (21st CCLC) funds to TEA.

• On July 25, 2025, USDE informed TEA that the remaining delayed awards (Titles I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A) would begin releasing the remaining federal grant allocations beginning the week of Monday, July 28, 2025

• Uncertainties remain regarding start dates—may or may not still begin July 1, depending on final award timing.
  

• USDE has added compliance conditions as of July 28, 2025:

• Grantees must attest that federal funds will not be used in violation of civil rights laws—including Title VI & VII, Title IX, Section 504, ADA, Age Discrimination Act, Boy Scouts Equal Access Act, and Higher Education Act §117.

• Violations may lead to enforcement actions and potential fund recovery under GEPA.

• TEA will begin accepting grant applications and issuing valid NOGAs once federal awards are formally received and will provide further guidance at that time.

Key Takeaways for Directors

• The funding delay is resolving: 21st CCLC funds are released; the rest should follow soon.

• Still unclear: whether grant start dates remain July 1 or shift later—TEA will clarify once awards arrive.

• New conditions: grantees may need to affirm compliance with multiple civil rights statutes. More information may be coming from TEA.

• Next steps: Complete ESSA applications in eGrants, but do not act on NOGAs for delayed programs until formal notifications are issued. Flexibility in other funding streams may be necessary in the interim.

The 2024-25 ESSA Consolidated Compliance Reports and Rural Low Income Schools (RLIS, if applicable) are now available in eGrants. You may access them under the Compliance Reports tab. TEA has posted resources for completing the compliance report, linked here:

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

Both compliance reports are due by September 30.

If you contract with the ESC for ESSA Support, Tami or Mercedez will complete the report(s) on your behalf and let you know when they are ready for your review and submission.

As part of the ESSA post-award compliance review, TEA will select a 25% random sample of districts to submit documentation supporting two items:

1. Homeless Reservation Worksheet - documentation to support the amount included for your 25-26 Homeless Reservation (line 2 on the ESSA Application PS3101 schedule)
2. Title II and Title III SNS Professional Development Worksheet - documentation regarding the funds used for district PD for these programs.

For more information, please see the GovDelivery sent May 16. The LEAs who were selected have been notified.

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 I-D FAQ (11/22)
• Title II-A FAQ (09/24)
• Title IV-A FAQ (07/24)
• ESSA Private Nonprofit Equitable Services (08/24)

Our 2025-2026 ESSA Workshops have also been tentatively scheduled. Please note that these dates are subject to change! We often receive notice of trainings we are required to attend after we create our PD schedule. We do our best to communicate changes promptly and we appreciate your understanding!

JUNE- Use evaluation data to update program and documents!!!

Parent Day will be on October 17, 2025, at the Waco Convention Center—an exciting event created just for parents and caregivers! Parents will walk away with practical tips, valuable resources, and fresh inspiration to help them thrive at home and in school life.

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