ESEA Monitoring

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of programs and activities carried out under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

The General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) requires that each state "adopt and use proper methods of administering each applicable program, including monitoring of agencies, institutions, and organizations responsible for carrying out each program." Monitoring procedures must be designed to promote the recipient's progress in achieving program goals and objectives; adherence to laws, regulations and assurances governing the program and conformity to the approved application, performance reports or other relevant documents. Likewise, Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) requires the SEA to monitor grants to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements and that performance goals are being achieved.

The Maine DOE has adopted a consolidated approach to monitoring local education agencies (LEAs), both to ensure compliance with federal laws and to support the effective implementation of local programs. The following programs are included within Maine DOEs consolidated ESEA program monitoring: Title I, Part A; Title I, Part D; Title II, Part A; Title III, Part A; Title IV, Part A, Title V, and the McKinney Vento Act. 

Monitoring Process

The ESEA Federal Programs Team at the Maine DOE is comprised of various representatives from each of the title programs. This team will continue to annually monitor LEAs for effective implementation of ESEA programs and compliance with applicable statutory requirements. Additionally, the team will utilize this process to provide meaningful technical assistance to those LEAs in need of additional supports.

There are three primary goals for Maine DOE's consolidated ESEA monitoring process:

To build relationships with district and school leaders; To ensure accountability to federal statute with a focus on support, not compliance; and To maximize use of resources to increase student achievement. Monitoring will cover requirements specific to Title IA, Title IIA, Title IIIA, Title IVA, Title V, and the McKinney Vento Act. The process will include questions and conversation of a more systemic nature, as it is expected that decisions on how title funds are expended are made within the framework of the districts submitted Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)/SAU Consolidated Plan. The process is not intended to be an exhaustive review or to ensure compliance with every legal requirement. Rather, it is designed to verify compliance with major elements of the law as well as to assist the LEAs in improving student outcomes using federal dollars.

Monitoring Fact Sheets - Winter
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Monitoring Fact Sheets - Fall
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Monitoring Fact Sheets - Spring 
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