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.
- FY24 ESEA Federal Programs Monitoring Guidance
- Monitoring Status Guidance Handout
- Monitoring Feedback Levels Definitions
- Monitoring Instrument Training (video)
- Monitoring Instrument FAQ
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Monitoring Process
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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
- 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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Medium Items
- A1) Prioritizing High-Need School(s) (Title IV, Part A)
- (A4) Evaluation of Progress (Title I, Part D)
- (A7) Curricular Alignment (Title I, Part D)
- (B5) Testing Notifications (Title I, Part A)
- (B8) Parental Notification of ML Status (Title I or III with language programs)
- (B11) Timely Family Communication (Title I, Part A)
- (B12) School-Parent Compact (Title I, Part A)
- (C4) Title III: Effective Professional Development (Title III)
- (E2) Travel Policy (ESEA Fiscal)
- (E5) Non-Public Procurement and Payment Process (ESEA Fiscal)
- (E7) Written Procurement Standards (ESEA Fiscal)
High Items
- (A3) Transition Strategies (Title I, Part D)
- (A6) Updated Comprehensive Needs Assessment and/or Updated Schoolwide Plan (Title I, Part A)
- (B2) Parent and Family Involvement (Title I, Part D)
- (B6) Parent and Family Feedback (Title I, Part A)
- (B10) School Level Parent Involvement Policy (Title I, Part A)
- (C3) Statutorily-Defined Professional Development (Title II, Part A)
- (E3) Procurement Standards (ESEA Fiscal)
- (E6) Equipment Policy and Procedures (ESEA Fiscal)
- Monitoring Fact Sheets - Fall
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Medium Items
- (A8) Title III: Family Engagement (Title III)
- (B1) Stakeholder Engagement (Title IV, Part A)
- (B4) Parent Notification of Teacher Qualifications (Title I, Part A)
- (B9) ML Guardian Outreach (Title I or III with language programs)
- (C1) Class Size Reduction (Title II, Part A)
- (D1) Timely and Meaningful Non-Public Consultation (ESEA Equitable Services)
- (E1) Detailed Accounting Records (ESEA Fiscal)
- (E4) Time and Effort (ESEA Fiscal)
- (E8) Title IA Supplement, Not Supplant (Title I, Part A)
High Items
- (A2) TAS Program Implementation Requirements (Title I, Part A)
- (B6) Parent and Family Feedback (Title I, Part A)
- (B7) Parental Notification of Academic Progress (Title I, Part A)
- (C2) Collaboration of Professional Development Planning (Title II, Part A)
- (E6) Equipment Policy and Procedures (ESEA Fiscal