As an important component of our support to states, CCSSO provides resources and technical assistance to help maximize the impact of federal funds through effective state policies and practices. This page collects materials CCSSO has created and shared with our state members. Please contact Peter.Zamora@CCSSO.org if you have questions or require support.
Supporting LEAs in a Tight Budget Environment: How SEAs Can Help LEAs Use ED Funds Strategically (2025): This resource outlines how state education agencies (SEAs) can help local educational agencies (LEAs) make the most use of U.S. Department of Education (ED) funds in a tight budget environment. Explore the resource here.
How State Oversight Can Drive More Effective Local Spending (2024). This resource describes actions SEAs can take to determine whether SEA practices go beyond federal requirements or create unnecessary administrative burdens in four key SEA oversight areas: 1) SEA spending policies, 2) SEA-to-LEA spending guidance, 3) LEA Applications for ED Funding and SEA Review Processes, and 4) Monitoring and Other Oversight Processes. The resource also has links to template, customizable SEA-to LEA spending guidance on the following five topics: 1) Advancing Student Wellbeing and Engagement, 2) Supporting Students with Disabilities, 3) Supporting School Building Principals, 4) Supporting High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) and Professional Development, and 5) Supporting Teacher Recruitment and Retention. To obtain the password to access these resources, SEAs should contact Peter Zamora, Director of Federal Relations and Policy, at Peter.Zamora@ccsso.org.
Sustaining ESSER Investments in Student Wellbeing and Engagement with ED Funds (2024) This resource highlights how traditional U.S. Department of Education (ED) grant programs can support student wellbeing and engagement. Explore the resource here.
Sustaining ESSER Investments in Recruiting and Retaining Teachers and Other School Staff with ED Funds (2024) This resource highlights how traditional U.S. Department of Education (ED) grant programs can support efforts to recruit and retain teachers and other school staff. Explore the resource here.
Consolidation of ESEA and Other Select State Administrative Funds (Updated June 2024) This memo explores the requirements and flexibilities available for SEAs to consolidate (or “pool”) state administrative funds for ESEA and other programs. Explore the resource here.
How Traditional U.S. Department of Education Grants Can Help Sustain ESSER Activities (2023) This resource highlights allowable uses of recurring ED funds that align to common high-impact ESSER-investments, focusing on Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; and the IDEA, Part B because they are the largest PK-12 ED programs. Explore the resource here.
CCSSO Memo on ESSER Time and Effort (2022)
This memo was created to assist states and their subgrantees with federal documentation requirements for ESSER personnel expenses, as well as other ED programs. These documents are commonly referred to as “time and effort” records. Explore the resource here.
A Guide to State Educational Agency Oversight Responsibilities under ESSA: The Role of the State in the Local Implementation of ESSA Programs (2017)
An SEA’s oversight of ESEA programs has a strong influence on the services LEAs provide to students. This guide highlights thirteen oversight responsibilities SEAs have under federal law, describes how SEA oversight activities influence LEA implementation of ESSA programs, and provides examples of possible oversight approaches. Explore the resource here.
Developing Effective Guidance: A Handbook for State Educational Agencies (2017) This handbook addresses the importance of guidance documents SEAs develop for their LEAs and provides practical considerations and steps for SEAs to use when drafting guidance. Explore the resource here.
Maximizing ESSA Formula Funds for Students: State Readiness Self-Assessment. (2016) This self-assessment tool is designed to help SEAs analyze their policies and practices in three areas: 1) state spending policies over ED funds, 2) SEA- to-LEA application, planning, and budgeting of ED funds, and 3) paperwork reduction opportunities. These areas are important because they significantly influence the services districts deliver and are often overlooked as levers to promote educational quality. Explore the resource here.
