December 1, 2020
We hope to provide you with helpful information monthly through the newsletter and office hours. Our newsletters will often include:
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General and Title Specific Updates from the ESEA Federal Programs Team
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Fun Data Fact and ESEA Resource Highlighted
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Friendly Reminders for Planning and Program Implementation
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Professional Learning Opportunities
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Contact Information
Virtual Office Hours: 2nd Tuesday of every month from 10 - 11 am
(Next Virtual Office Hour is Tuesday, December 8th: contact Cheryl.Lang@maine.gov or your regional program coordinator for the link)
General & Title Specific Updates from the ESEA Federal Programs Team
EXCITING NEWS: Title I Comparability for fiscal year (FY) 2021
The ESEA Title I Comparability Report for FY21 has now been automated and will be produced by the Maine Department of Education using the NEO certified October 1, 2020 student enrollment and December 1, 2020, instructional staff counts in the data warehouse. As the FY21 Comparability reports and data are reviewed and accepted by the Title I ESEA Team during December, a copy of the report and backup documentation will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools and the ESEA Coordinator by the end of December. You should review these documents and let us know if you have any questions. You must maintain this documentation as it is one of the required documents for the Single audit process. Additional information regarding comparability definitions and processes is posted on the Title I Comparability website. Review this comparability information to further understand the FY21 Comparability Report that you receive.
Section 1118(c) of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires that school administrative units (SAUs) with multiple attendance areas maintain comparability of local/state resources between the Title I schools and the non-Title I schools; or if all the schools at a grade span are Title I schools, comparability of local resources must be maintained among the Title I schools. A list of SAUs required to comply with comparability requirements is posted to the Title I Comparability website.
If it is determined that comparability is not met, a Title I ESEA team member will be contacting the SAU’s ESEA Coordinator for additional information and data to finalize the determination and next steps.
Questions regarding ESEA Title I Comparability and the reports can be directed to Jackie Godbout, Title IA, at jackie.godbout@maine.gov or Monique Sullivan, Title IA, at monique.sullivan@maine.gov. The Title I Comparability website is located at https://www.maine.gov/doe/doe/learning/comparability.
Fun Data Fact and ESEA Resource Highlighted
ESEA Resource: Be sure to check out the ESEA Resource page at www.maine.gov/doe/learning/esea/resources if you were unable to attend the ESEA Virtual Office Hours. The office hours are recorded and posted to this resource page, within a week.
Friendly Reminders for Planning and Program Implementation
Here’s a few things to keep in mind as the 2020-21 school year continues and December begins:
Parent & Family Engagement
Parent involvement must be planned and implemented with meaningful consultation with parents of participating children at both the school (for schools operating Title I programs) and the district level. Training, activities, and materials need to be provided to parents to help them work with their children to improve their children’s achievement, to foster parent involvement, and to build partnerships with the school and community. Title I funds may be used: 1) to pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with local parent involvement activities including transportation, to enable parents to participate in school-related and training sessions, 2) to train parents to enhance the involvement of other parents, 3) to establish a districtwide parent advisory council to provide advice on all matters related to parent involvement and participation; and 4) to involve parents in the development of training of teachers, principals, and other educators to improve the effectiveness of training.
Fiscal
We encourage Business Managers to submit monthly invoices for all ESEA titles. In addition, review and ensure alignment between approved application(s), project budgets, and schoolwide plans.
Friendly reminder that the period of allowability for the fiscal year 2019 funds has been extended to through September 30, 2021, due to a waiver the Maine Department of Education received. With this said, now might be a great time to touch base with the ESEA Coordinator if FY19 funds remain.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Professional Learning offered through the Department of Education is a fantastic resource for supporting leadership development for administrators and educators. The Department’s professional learning calendar is available at https://www.maine.gov/doe/calendar. This calendar has increased functionality including a search feature.
For more information about professional learning opportunities specific to Tier III identified schools, please contact Teri Peaslee, School Turnaround Professional Development Coordinator at teri.peaslee@maine.gov or (207) 624-6706.
Contact Information
As always, reach out to your ESEA regional program manager with questions. Their contact information can be found at https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/esea/contact. Also, your feedback is encouraged and appreciated. Please contact Cheryl Lang at cheryl.lang@maine.gov with feedback and suggestions.