New Mexico — K–12 Federal Programs · Issue 3
Federal Programs Weekly Brief
Top updates
OMB is withholding more than $2 billion in congressionally approved competitive education grants—and the clock is ticking.
An Education Week review published May 5 found that the White House Office of Management and Budget has released little or no funding for nearly three dozen competitive K–12 and higher education programs authorized under the FY 2026 budget enacted February 3. As of May 5—more than seven months into the current fiscal year—programs including those supporting arts education, Native Hawaiian education, and Comprehensive Centers have received only token apportionments. Nearly $1.4 billion of the withheld funds will expire and return to the U.S. Treasury by September 30 if not released. Legal experts say declining to spend congressionally appropriated funds constitutes impoundment, which is prohibited under the Impoundment Control Act unless Congress formally approves a rescission request—which the President has not submitted.
Why it matters for districts
Formula programs—Title I, Title II-A, Title III, IDEA—are not among the withheld funds and remain on track for the July 1 disbursement cycle. However, districts relying on competitive grants currently under review should not assume awards will arrive on schedule. Review your district’s active competitive grants, confirm drawdown timelines with your NMPED program officer, and flag any grants approaching no-cost extension deadlines for immediate attention.
ED and DOL launch three new grant competitions this week—Career Pathways Exploration, Teacher Quality Partnership, and Competitive Grants for State Assessments.
In a flurry of activity, the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor announced three additional FY 2026 grant competitions administered through the ED–DOL interagency partnership: the new Career Pathways Exploration (CPE) program (due June 9), the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program (due June 23), and the Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) program (due June 16). CPE is a newly created program using Title IV-A technical assistance funds to help states build career pathways exploration capacity. TQP supports teacher residency and pre-baccalaureate preparation programs in high-need fields. CGSA supports states in developing and improving assessment instruments and systems, with an applicant webinar scheduled May 11. All three competitions are administered through DOL’s GrantSolutions platform.
Why it matters for districts
CPE and TQP are SEA- and IHE-led programs—NM LEAs are not direct applicants but may be named implementation partners. Contact NMPED’s Federal Programs Bureau if your district has interest in participating as a local partner on a state TQP or CPE application. The CGSA is an SEA-level grant; NMPED may be evaluating whether to apply. Districts with strong assessment data infrastructure should flag this to NMPED as a potential collaboration point.
EOY iMSSA window and pre-ID upload portal remain open through May 22—districts must complete all outstanding tasks before close.
The End-of-Year iMSSA interim assessment administration window and the Cognia portal remain open through May 22, 2026. The pre-ID bulk upload window (Window 2) is also active May 4–22. Districts with schools under Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) or Monitoring with Required Improvement (MRI) designations are required to have completed iMSSA participation. Final individual student reports (ISRs) will be available in Data Interaction on May 26; item analysis reports follow the same date. Final student reports become accessible in the Family Portal on May 29.
Why it matters for districts
Federal program directors should verify with their District Test Coordinator that all required iMSSA rosters are complete and all CSI/MRI schools have met participation requirements before May 22. EOY iMSSA data feeds into school improvement monitoring and directly informs whether a school exits or retains its designation in the September 2026 NM Vistas publication—which itself drives Title I set-aside calculations and school improvement plan obligations.
NMPED requires all districts to designate District Test Coordinators and Accountability Leads for SY 2026–27 by July 31, 2026.
Per NMPED’s SY 2026–27 Assessment Program Requirements memo, superintendents and charter school administrators must formally designate primary and secondary District Test Coordinators (DTCs) and Accountability Leads using the DTC and Accountability Lead Designation Form by July 31, 2026. These designations are required under 6.10.7 NMAC and control access to secure test management portals including the Cognia iTester platform and SAGE accountability portal. A Technology Coordinator designation is also required at the same time.
Why it matters for districts
Federal program directors must coordinate with superintendents now—the July 31 deadline falls in the summer when staff transitions are common. If a DTC or Accountability Lead changes before the form is submitted, districts risk losing portal access at the start of the year, which directly affects ESSA accountability data submission and Title I/III reporting timelines. Complete these designations before the end of the school year if possible.
ED announces Competitive Grants for State Assessments applicant webinar for May 11—SEAs only but NM districts should be aware.
ED and DOL are hosting a CGSA applicant webinar on May 11, 2026, from 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET covering competition eligibility, priorities, selection criteria, and application requirements. The CGSA program (84.368A, due June 16) funds state-level assessment instrument and system development, including innovative assessment item types, scoring and reporting improvements, and comprehensive assessment systems for English learners and students with disabilities. Applications are submitted through Grants.gov via the DOL partnership platform. Awards are typically up to $4 million over 48 months for Absolute Priority 1 projects.
Why it matters for districts
The CGSA is an SEA-level grant, but it directly shapes the assessment systems NM districts use. If NMPED applies, strong participation in state assessment working groups and advisory panels strengthens the SEA’s narrative. Districts with innovations in interim assessment use or EL assessment design should document those practices now and share with NMPED’s Assessment Bureau as potential evidence for any future state application.
NMPED HQIM intent-to-participate deadline for Math and Science professional learning passed May 11; full grant application details forthcoming.
The NMPED Math and Science Bureau’s intent-to-participate window for upcoming professional learning opportunities tied to the NMIS 3.0 (Math) and 2.0 (Science) Instructional Scope updates closed May 11 at 4:00 p.m. The FY27–28 HQIM Math/Science Implementation Grant for LEAs and Regional Education Cooperatives remains active, with the full application to be submitted through Canvas. Award amounts are up to $150,000. Districts that did not submit intent for professional learning may still contact [email protected] directly to inquire about participation options.
Why it matters for districts
The grant remains open. Districts that missed the professional learning intent window should not assume they are excluded from the HQIM grant itself—confirm directly with the Math and Science Bureau. Align any HQIM grant application with your SY 2026–27 Title II-A professional development plan and your Unified Application schoolwide program narrative to demonstrate a coherent instructional investment strategy.
WIDA will conduct standard-setting for ACCESS for ELLs in July 2026—implications for NM Title III EL identification and reporting.
NMPED’s SY 2026–27 Assessment Program Requirements memo confirms that WIDA will conduct a standard-setting process in July 2026 to establish new proficiency levels for WIDA ACCESS and WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten, now aligned to the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition. New Mexico uses ACCESS for ELLs as its required annual English language proficiency assessment for identified English learners in Grades K–12 under Title III. The standard-setting results will directly affect how student scores map to proficiency levels and, consequently, how Title III annual measurable achievement objectives (AMAOs) are calculated going forward.
Why it matters for districts
Title III program directors should flag this to district leadership now. New proficiency cut scores resulting from the July standard-setting will likely affect the number of students classified as English proficient and alter AMAO performance data beginning in SY 2026–27. Adjust EL program planning conservatively until NMPED releases updated AMAO guidance reflecting the new standards. Contact NMPED’s Language and Cultural Equity Bureau for guidance.
Funding & grant opportunities
Career Pathways Exploration (CPE) — New Program (Federal, Competitive)
Newly created program leveraging 2% Title IV-A technical assistance reservation. Supports states in building capacity to integrate career exploration into statewide career pathways and workforce readiness programs. Grantees will share implementation models with other states and LEAs. Contact: [email protected]. Administered via DOL GrantSolutions.
Quick take:
LEAs are not direct applicants. Monitor NMPED for state-level application activity. Districts with existing CTE or work-based learning programs should document those models in case NMPED seeks LEA partnership letters for its application.
Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) — FY 2026 (Federal, Competitive)
Supports pre-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs, teaching residencies, and Grow Your Own models. Invitational priorities include Registered Apprenticeship pathways and support for early elementary educators. Administered via DOL GrantSolutions. Contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
Quick take:
NM districts serving as LEA partners in a TQP application must ensure their superintendent or authorized representative signs the partnership agreement. Contact UNM College of Education, NMSU, or WNMU teacher prep programs to inquire about partnership interest. High-need schools in rural or tribal communities are strong narrative assets.
Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) — FY 2026 (Federal, Competitive)
Supports development and improvement of state assessment instruments and systems. Absolute priorities: innovative assessment item design and meaningful learning opportunities. Applicant webinar: May 11, 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET. Administered through DOL. Contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
Quick take:
SEA-only grant. If NMPED applies, district assessment leaders should offer data and practice documentation as supporting evidence. Watch for NMPED communications about state intent to apply.
SEED — Supporting Effective Educator Development (Federal, Competitive)
Final submission deadline is June 1 (11:59:59 p.m. ET) via Grants.gov (DOL-OESE-33914). If your district is listed as a named partner on a lead applicant’s submission, confirm that all required partnership documents and SAM.gov registrations are complete immediately.
Quick take:
This deadline is 3 weeks away. Any district involved in a SEED partnership application must act now. Confirm your authorized representative has reviewed and can execute required partnership agreements before the lead applicant’s internal submission deadline, which may be earlier than June 1.
Compliance / deadlines watch
- EOY iMSSA & Pre-ID Portal Window — Closes May 22, 2026: Complete all EOY iMSSA testing and roster uploads (Window 2 pre-ID bulk upload) before close. CSI/MRI schools must have met participation requirements. Final ISRs available May 26; Family Portal reports May 29.
- SEED Grant Final Application Deadline — June 1, 2026 (11:59:59 p.m. ET): Grants.gov, opportunity DOL-OESE-33914. SAM.gov must be active. Partner districts must confirm all documentation is complete with the lead applicant immediately.
- CGSA Applicant Webinar — May 11, 2026 (2:00–3:30 p.m. ET): SEA-level grant. NMPED assessment staff and any district personnel interested in state assessment development should attend or request the recording.
- Career Pathways Exploration (CPE) Grant Deadline — June 9, 2026: SEA applicants only. LEAs interested in serving as implementation partners should contact NMPED’s Federal Programs Bureau and their regional Career Technical Education director.
- Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) — June 16, 2026 (11:59:59 p.m. ET): SEA-only. Contact [email protected] with questions.
- Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) — June 23, 2026 (11:59:59 p.m. ET): IHE-led with LEA partnership required. NM districts in high-need designations are strong partners. Contact [email protected].
- NMPED DTC & Accountability Lead Designation — Due July 31, 2026: Superintendents and charter leaders must submit the DTC and Accountability Lead Designation Form per 6.10.7 NMAC before July 31. Coordinate now to complete before end of school year while staff are still in place.
- NMPED ESSA Participation Data Review Window — June 5–19, 2026: Confirm your SAGE portal lead is designated at [email protected]. Corrections to student participation data are only accepted during this window.
- NMPED Unified Application (UA) — All LEAs — Ongoing: Mandatory for SY 2026–27. Weekly office hours available. Completion gates federal fund approval. Do not delay.
Practical spotlight
When federal funds get withheld: building a district contingency posture
This week’s Education Week report on OMB’s withholding of $2 billion in competitive grant funds is a timely reminder that competitive grant revenue is not formula revenue—and should never be treated as such in a district’s base budget. For New Mexico federal program directors, the practical takeaway is straightforward: audit every competitive grant in your portfolio right now. For each award, confirm the current period of performance end date, any no-cost extension eligibility, remaining drawdown balance, and whether a contingency plan exists if a renewal or continuation award is delayed. Formula grants—Title I, Title II-A, Title III, Title IV-A, IDEA—operate under different legal authorities and are far more insulated from executive apportionment decisions. Districts that have been using competitive grant funds to cover positions, contracts, or materials that would otherwise require formula funding should document that dependency clearly and develop a bridge strategy before the end of SY 2025–26. This kind of contingency planning is not alarmist—it is exactly the kind of responsible stewardship that federal program administration demands.
Looking ahead
Watch next week for congressional response to the OMB grant withholding—advocacy organizations are expected to file formal legal challenges if apportionments are not released by late May. At the state level, watch for NMPED to open the ESSA Participation Data Review correction template ahead of the June 5 window, and for any guidance on the WIDA ACCESS standard-setting process and its AMAO implications for New Mexico districts. The SEED grant deadline on June 1 will also bring a flurry of final partnership paperwork this week.