Monthly Communication

for Continuous Improvement and State & Federal Programs

MonthlyCommunicationfor Continuous Improvement and State & FederalPrograms

October 2022

Welcome to the monthly Continuous Improvement and State & Federal Programs communication. The purpose is to contextualize Continuous Improvement into our daily work, to efficiently complete all State and Federal Program tasks, and to promote moving these tasks past simple compliance. If this was forwarded to you, you are welcome to subscribe.

In This Issue

  • Important Dates
  • Continuous Improvement Tasks and Updates
  • Title I Carryover "Waiver to the Waiver"
  • Benchmark reporting (98b/104h)
  • Learning Loss Funds (98c)
  • Additional Instructional Time Grant (35a(5))
  • Safe Return Plans
  • Resource Roundup

Important Dates

  • "First 9 weeks of school" - K-8 benchmarks administered (104h - see info below)
  • October 3 - MICIP User Group 1:00 - 2:00 (Zoom Link)
  • October 21 - Additional Instructional Time Grant Application Due (35a(5))
  • October 26 - MASFPS Professional Learning Institute Session 2 (Info | Register)
  • October 30 - Deadline for 98c Public Meeting (see info below)

Continuous Improvement Tasks and Updates

Consider joining the MICIP User Group. This group meets about monthly to collaborate with others around the state around Continuous Improvement. These sessions are facilitated by Ben Boerkoel from MDE and Hilda Irani from Dearborn Public Schools. The first meeting is Monday, October 3rd from 1:00 - 2:00. Zoom Link


Here are some new MICIP resources that will be discussed at the User Group meeting this month:

Title I Carryover "Waiver to the Waiver"

As reported in this recent memo, all districts are eligible to request a Title IA 15% carryover waiver for 2021/2022 funds, even if they have previously applied in the last few years. Typically, this can only happen once every three years, but over the last few years this three year requirement was first waived due to COVID, and has once again been waived due to the transition from MEGS+ to NEXSYS.


There will also be a new process for completing the waiver. Previously, districts filled out a Word document and emailed it to MDE. This will now be an online process (likely through GEMS Lite). This process is not yet open, but will open sometime in October once districts begin to submit their Final Expenditure Reports.


There technically isn't a due date for submitting the waiver, but districts will not have access to any excess carryover funds until it is submitted. If you have greater than 15% carryover, I recommend submitting the waiver request as soon as possible so you can have access to all funding during the amendment window.

Benchmark Assessments (98b/104h)

By this time, schools should have their 98b goals set for the year and should be conducting Fall benchmark assessments (K-8). The next task for this legislation is to report the results of the benchmark assessments to parents and the MDE. Resources:


If you are giving an Approved Assessment (NWEA, iReady, STAR, DRC), results of the assessment will be submitted to the MDE via the Data Hub. If you aren't sure how this works, see this presentation, and read the FAQ linked above. The funding window will open in November to request your $12.50 per student reimbursement (NWEA, iReady, STAR).


If you are giving a Local Assessment (ie. not one of the Approved Assessments), you will submit further information via GEMS when the funding window opens but you will not be eligible to receive funding.


There are many nuances and details to this. I recommend closely reviewing all the resources linked above.

"Learning Loss" Funds (98c)

Districts are invited to apply for "Learning Loss" funds (MDE Memo). This state grant of over $52M was appropriated from GEER funds as part of ESSER II and will be split among applicant districts on a per-pupil basis. This is optional for districts to apply. For those that do, it is required to hold a public meeting in October to get input on the district's plan for how the funds will be spent. If your district plans to apply for funds, you will have to assure that this meeting was held before October 30.


Timeline:

  • October 30 - deadline for public input
  • November 4 - technical assistance webinar at 11:00 (link)
  • November 30 - application deadline (link to application)
  • July 14, 2023 - grant reporting deadline to MDE

Sample Plan: "Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service"

As discussed in detail in the September Communication, eCOL/COL plans are no longer statutorily required, but "Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Service" plans are federally required for districts that accepted ESSER III funds.


Since my last communication, the MDE guidance document that I linked has become a dead link. I have reported this to MDE, but as of the date of publication this is still a dead link. Luckily, I do have a great example plan to share.


Thank you to Hillary Baker, Director of Instruction at Allegan Public Schools for sharing this plan.

State and Federal Programs PD for 2022/23

The Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists (MASFPS) have released our 2022/23 professional learning offerings. This is a great lineup and there is something for everyone.

This is high-quality PD that is not available anywhere else. If you have any questions about any of the offerings, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or the MASFPS Executive Director, Sara Shriver (masfps@gmail.com).

Quarterly S&F Programs Meetings

All are welcome to participate in my quarterly S&F programs meetings. All are virtual from 9:00 - 10:30(ish) at the following Zoom link: https://muskegonisd-org.zoom.us/j/6740302165

Mark your calendar for the following dates:


  • November 2, 2022
  • January 25, 2023
  • March 15, 2023
  • TENTATIVE: MDE Spring Workshop May 5, 2023