Section 8302 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), permits each SEA, in consultation with the Governor, to apply for program funds through submission of a consolidated State plan or a consolidated State application (in lieu of individual program State plans). The purpose of consolidated State plans as defined in ESEA is to improve teaching and learning by encouraging greater cross-program coordination, planning, and service delivery; to enhance program integration; and to provide greater flexibility and less burden for State educational agencies.
This is a request for emergency clearance to collect critical information for the Consolidated State Plan, the instrument through which State educational agencies (SEAs) apply for funding under the following programs:
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)
Title I, Part A Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
Title I, Part B, Section 1201 Grants for State Assessments and Related Activities
Title I, Part C Education of Migratory Children
Title I, Part D Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk
Title II, Part A Supporting Effective Instruction
Title III, Part A English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement
Title IV, Part A Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
Title IV, Part B 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2: Rural and Low-Income School Program
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987
Title VII, Subtitle B Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program
On December 10, 2015, the programs above were reauthorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). On November 29, 2016, the Department received information collection clearance approval for a Consolidated State Plan aligned to the Notice of Final Regulations for Accountability and State Plans published in the Federal Register at 81 FR 86076. Congress is currently considering a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) (5 U.S.C. §§ 801-808) to overturn these regulations. If a resolution of disapproval is enacted, these regulations âshall have no force or effect.â
Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.13, the Department requests that OMB review this collection under its emergency procedures. This request for emergency clearance is based on two factors: (1) the joint resolution of disapproval under the CRA presents an unanticipated event beyond the Departmentâs control; and (2) further uncertainty of the requirements for submission of consolidated State plans would prevent States from implementing the new ESSA requirements in school year 2017-2018.
Section 8302 of the ESEA, as amended by the ESSA, permits each SEA, in consultation with the Governor, to apply for program funds through submission of a consolidated State plan (in lieu of individual program State plans). The purpose of Consolidated State Plans as defined in ESEA is to improve teaching and learning by encouraging greater cross-program coordination, planning, and service delivery; to enhance program integration; and to provide greater flexibility and less burden for SEAs. The Department will use the information from the Consolidated State Plan as the basis for approving funding under the included programs for the duration of the reauthorization. Failure to collect this information in a timely manner will bar the Department from receiving the comprehensive data and information that is necessary to fulfill its fiduciary and oversight responsibilities, and endanger the missions of the individual programs.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.