The Maine Department of Education now has available a template for School Administrative Units (SAU) and schools to utilize when completing a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and School Administrative Unit (SAU) Consolidated Plan as required under the recently reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
The intent of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment and SAU Consolidated Plan template document is to prevent the duplication of work and reporting to the Maine Department of Education from SAUs while meeting necessary requirements under Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) Federal Programs, SAU Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Plans, and Schoolwide Application for Title I Schools. This revised process will make for a more purposeful and meaningful approach to leveraging state, local and federal funding, inform data driven decisions and move away from a compliance mindset.
The template document has been constructed with representatives from Special Services, School Improvement, Student & School Supports and Federal Programs to ensure alignment and collaboration across programs. Section 1112 (a-b) of the ESEA as amended by the ESSA in conjunction with Chapter 125, Section 4 of Maine Statute stipulates a SAU Consolidated Plan is required to be submitted to the Maine Department of Education for approval.
Completed SAU Consolidated Plans must be submitted to the Maine Department of Education on or before July 1, 2018. The utilization of the CNA and SAU Consolidated Plan template will ensure all required elements are included.
In order to support SAUs with the completion of the SAU Consolidated Plan, the Department has developed the following Regional Training Schedule to support the SAU completion of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment. Registration can be completed through the session title hyperlinks below.
Introduction to the Needs Assessment Process
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
8 AM – 11:30 AM Lewiston School Department Central Office, Dingley Building
1 PM – 4 PM Augusta, Cross State Office Building, Room 103
Friday, September 29, 2017
10 AM – 2 PM Brewer, Jeff’s Catering
Monday, October 2, 2017
8AM – 11:30 AM Lewiston School Department Central Office, Dingley Building
1 PM – 4 PM Augusta, Cross State Office Building, Room 103
Thursday, October 19, 2018
10 AM – 2 PM Brewer, Jeff’s Catering
A guidance document is also available to SAUs. This document provides guiding questions for SAUs to ponder and respond to when completing the CNA. The SAU Consolidated Plan will be developed after the CNA is completed. A copy of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment and SAU Consolidated Plan template and the guidance document can be accessed on Maine’s ESSA webpage at the following location: http://maine.gov/doe/essa/
In order to register for the upcoming professional development sessions, please click on the hyperlinks included below. By clicking on the appropriate link you will be brought to a registration form.
Introduction to the Needs Assessment Process
For further information please contact:
Janette Kirk
Federal Programs & Title I Director
(207) 624-6707