ESEA Technical Assistance and Guidance

The Office of ESEA Title Programs issues regular guidance in support of federal funding sources and updates to processes at the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED). Below you will find technical assistance documents, field guidance, PowerPoint presentations, and recordings from office hours held by the Bureau Administrator. For any one-on-one technical assistance or requests to provide additional assistance or information, please contact the Bureau of Instructional Support.

ESEA Proportional Share and Equitable Services Guidance

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires a Local Educational Agency (LEA) to consult with non-public (non-profit) school officials regarding the size and scope of the equitable services to be provided, the proportion of funds that is set aside for equitable services, and how that proportion is determined. Once shares are available, the ESEA requires an LEA to provide this information to non-public school officials and the State education Agency (SEA), NHED. This information is collected semi-annually in August and February to meet this requirement. Below is the document utilized to report proportional shares to NHED, calculators to assist in the calculation of equitable shares, and related guidance provided by NHED, and nonregulatory guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education.

23-24 Semiannual Proportional Share Distributions

Title I, Part A Equitable Services Guidance

Title I, Part A Equitable Services Calculator

Title I, Part A Nonregulatory Guidance for Equitable Services (updated May 17, 2023)

Title VIII Nonregulatory Guidance for Equitable Services (updated July 17, 2023)

Proportional Share and Title I, Part A Equitable Services Calculator- PPT

ESEA Transferability

Transferability is a flexibility authority under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which allows Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to transfer up to 100% of the funds received under a specific title program to other programs. This authority gives LEAs the ability to better address the needs of their unique student populations and ensures the delivery of meaningful programs. Please reference the below guidance and PowerPoint to help guide you on utilizing this authority.

Transferability- PPT

Transferability Guidance

Title I, Part A District-to-District Allocation Transfer Request

Per Section 1126(b) of ESEA, allocations amongst LEAs may be transferred among those LEAs that receive Title I, Part A if:

  1. Two or more LEAs serve, in whole or in part, the same geographical area;
  2. An LEA provides free public education for children who reside in the school district of another LEA; or
  3. There is a merger, creation, or change of boundaries of one or more LEAs. 

LEAs must have an approved and updated internal policy on transferring Federal funds from one LEA to another, along with a formal agreement (such as an MOU) between both parties. The agreement, at a minimum, must outline how the Federal funds will be maintained and how all requirements will be met between both parties. 

If two LEAs agree to such transfer, the following document must be approved by NHED prior to a transfer taking place. 

Title I, Part A District-to District Allocation Transfer Request Form and Guidance

GMS Activity Level Approval

A recent attribute (Summer 2023) has been added to the Grants Management System (GMS) to allow approval at the activity level; this way substantially approvable activities can move forward through the GMS process and LEAs can obligate federal funds, meanwhile the unapproved activities can continue to be worked on allowing for a more expeditious spending of federal funds. The below guidance will outline the purpose and process changes noted as a result of this attribute.

Activity Level Approval- PPT

Activity Level Approval Guidance

GMS Budgets and Consolidated Application

The Grants Management System (GMS), more specifically, the activities and budgets written within GMS are currently acting as the application for ESEA Title Programs. However, not all requirements set forth by ESSA Legislation are being met by utilizing this system, therefore we are proposing a consolidated application to ensure all requirements are being met. Additionally, during this meeting we discuss some steps that are being taken to address issues as they arise to ensure compliance (i.e. intent to apply/spend documentation, grant award notifications, etc.).

GMS Budgets and Consolidated Application- PPT

GMS Budgets and Consolidated Application- 12/12/23 Meeting Recording

ESEA Consolidated Application- PPT

GMS Procurement Language

This Power Point will clarify the requirements behind what does or does not need to be written or provided in GMS regarding the procurement of goods or services with federal funding. 

Procurement Language PPT

Noncompetitive Procurement  

The following guidance and request form was created to clarify the requirements of noncompetitive procurement (also known as sole source) per 2 CFR 200.320 (c) and provide a uniform request document to be utilized for all ESEA programs when requesting noncompetitive procurement. Please reach out to your program contact manager for questions or requests of noncompetitive procurement.

Noncompetitive Guidance and Request Form (updated 4/5/24)

ESEA Spring 2024 Conference

The ESEA Spring Conference took place on March 26th and 27th at the New Hampshire Department of Education. Attendees took part in a variety of sessions ranging from equitable services to parent and family engagement, as well as a live demonstration of the newly developed ESEA Consolidated Application. Below are the PowerPoint presentations and handouts that were presented and provided during this conference. 

PowerPoint Presentations 

Handouts