Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 is the current iteration of the ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act), the federal government’s primary mechanism for holding public schools accountable, closing achievement gaps among different student populations, and supporting schools in improvement efforts. ESSA creates a long-term stable federal policy that gives states additional flexibility and encourages states and schools to innovate, while at the same time being accountable for results.  This page contains information on two ESEA Title Programs that provide us with federal funds.

District Report Card

Each year the Maine DOE issues a report card for each district.  These report cards summarize state assessment and accountability data for students in grades 3-11, as well as teacher qualifications.  State law requires those to be made available to the community.  The ESSA Dashboard at the Maine Department of Education will allow you to review report cards for schools and districts across the state. All data for RSU 64 can be found here.

ESSA Dashboard

Title IA

Title IA ensures that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on Maine’s Learning Results/Common Core State Standards.

RSU 64 uses these dollars to fund two full-time Reading Recovery® teachers and several educational technicians to help in Grades K-5 so that individual, specific instruction, will assure achievement of all children to high standards.   Money is also used to support professional development for both professional and paraprofessional staff, as well as to purchase materials, books, hardware, and software to support the learning needs of individual students.  Title IA funds are also used to operate summer school for Grades K-5 students in need of continued support.  Central Community Elementary School became a Schoolwide Title IA program beginning in the fall of 2018.  This means all students at CCES are eligible to receive small group assistance and all staff can benefit from teaching materials designed to support students in their learning journey.

A General Education Initiative or pre-referral system for early identification has been in place since June 2012.  This year there are several new interventions for students K-12.  Check with your child’s principal for details.

A Parent Advisory Committee meets annually to review a Title IA policy and to seek input about training and/or information needed to help extend and reinforce your child’s learning and achievement.  If you would like to join, please call Monica Sabine, the Curriculum Coordinator at 285-3334.

Each school will be reviewing the Parent/School/Community Compacts this school year.  If you would like to participate, please call the school.

Title IIA

Title IIA “Improving Teacher Quality,” helps to increase the academic achievement of all students by helping school districts ensure that all teachers are highly qualified to teach.  It focuses on preparing, training and recruiting high quality teachers.  Once again, RSU 64 will use these monies to partially fund one teaching position at Central Community Elementary School that results in reduced class size.  Smaller class size is beneficial at the K-3 level.  For the past several years, monies have allowed us to keep classes between 15-18 students at this grade level.  The remainder of money will be used to provide professional development to design, instruct, assess, and communicate proficiency-based learning experiences for students and support teacher leadership.

ESEA Public Comments for Application

RSU 64 accepts funding through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.  As part of ESEA, RSU 64 is required to provide a reasonable opportunity for public comment on the ESEA consolidated application and consider such comment prior to the submission of the application.  Our ESEA team, composed of a representative from all stakeholder groups, has been working on a draft proposal for Title IA and Title IIA funding for the 2022-23 school year.

Below you will find our outline for the draft proposal based on data gained throughout the school year and district, school, and ESEA goals.

Potential Title IA projects (Approximately $490,628.48):

*Staffing – ed techs to support math and reading K-5

*Fund two Reading Recovery teachers

*Providing support to homeless learners

*Provide supports for chronically absent students

*Provide opportunities for parent engagement

Potential Title IIA projects (Approximately $69,675.15):

*Class size reduction position in second grade

*Professional development for staff that aligns with school and district needs assessment

*Book studies

*PLGs at each school

*Travel for conferences and workshops

*Stipends for teacher leadership activities

*New staff training day in August and monthly meetings throughout the year

Please click on the link below to share any comments or thoughts you want considered for the application.  Thank you!

ESEA Public Comments Form