Response to Public Comment

Janet Brown, President and CEO

Grantmakers in the Arts

4055 21^st Avenue West, Suite 100

Seattle, WA 98199-1247

Dear Ms. Brown,

Thank you for your letter to the U.S. Department of Education (Department) regarding the Department's revised consolidated State plan template to support States in meeting the requirements for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

As you may be aware, on March 9, 2017, in accordance with the Congressional Review Act (CRA) (5 U.S.C. §§ 801-808), Congress approved a joint resolution repealing the Department's regulations. The President signed the Congressional resolution on March 27, 2017, meaning that the Department's regulations related to the consolidated State plan, statewide accountability systems, and data reporting have no force or effect. As a result, the Department is unable to collect information using the previous consolidated State plan template associated with the regulations, including Section 6: Supporting All Students that you reference in your letter dated May 11, 2017.

Thank you for your commitment to arts in public education. I look forward to continuing to partner with you to ensure every child has the opportunity to pursue excellence and achieve their academic potential.