New Mexico — K–12 Federal Programs · Issue 5
Federal Programs Weekly Brief
Top updates
ED approves Louisiana as the second state to receive an ESEA funding flexibility waiver—and signals 10 more states in conversation.
On May 20, the U.S. Department of Education approved Louisiana’s “Returning Education to the States” waiver under ESSA Section 8401, making it the second state after Iowa (approved January 2026) to consolidate state-level activities funds across Title II-A, Title III-A, Title IV-A, and Title IV-B through FY 2029. The consolidated pool amounts to more than $18 million in redirected federal funds at the state level, freeing them from program-specific compliance requirements. ED simultaneously confirmed it is in active conversations with ten additional states considering similar waiver requests. The Iowa and Louisiana waivers apply only to state-level set-aside activities funds—not LEA-level formula allocations—so district budgets are not directly affected. Critics, including the Education Trust, have raised concerns that consolidation reduces transparency for student subgroups including English learners and students with disabilities.
Why it matters for districts
This waiver trend is a leading indicator of where federal policy is heading and creates a watchpoint for New Mexico. If NMPED were to pursue a similar waiver, the consolidation of state-level Title II-A, III, and IV set-asides would change how NMPED funds and monitors professional development, EL support, and student wellness activities at the district level. NM federal program directors should monitor whether NMPED begins any public comment process on a waiver request—under ESSA Section 8401, the state is required to provide a reasonable opportunity for public comment before submission.
Senate HELP Committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy loses Louisiana primary—federal education oversight leadership now uncertain.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, lost his May 16 Republican primary, placing third behind Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming, who advance to a June 27 runoff. Cassidy’s defeat ends his Senate career at the close of his current term and leaves the HELP Committee chairmanship—which oversees IDEA, ESSA, Title I, and higher education legislation—in transition. No successor has been named. Cassidy was a consistent advocate for special education funding, including IDEA reauthorization, and had bipartisan credibility on disability rights legislation. He has indicated he will remain in office and continue working through the rest of his term.
Why it matters for districts
The loss of Cassidy’s institutional knowledge and bipartisan standing on IDEA is significant in a period when IDEA’s oversight location is uncertain and reauthorization is overdue. The incoming HELP chair—expected to be named after the November 2026 election cycle—may have different priorities for ESSA oversight, IDEA reauthorization, and the interagency agreement debate. NM federal program directors should continue normal IDEA and ESSA compliance without disruption, but should be aware that Senate oversight of federal education law is in a period of leadership transition.
EOY iMSSA portal and pre-ID upload window close May 22—final individual student reports available May 26.
The End-of-Year iMSSA administration window and Cognia portal close Thursday, May 22, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. MT. Window 2 pre-ID bulk uploads also close at that time. After May 22, no changes to student rosters or test submissions will be accepted. Final individual student reports (ISRs) and item analysis reports will be available in Data Interaction on May 26. Final student reports will be accessible in the Family Portal beginning May 29. These results contribute to the NM-MSSA and iMSSA data used in NMPED’s ESSA accountability model, with school designations to be published in NM Vistas on September 14, 2026.
Why it matters for districts
If your district has not yet verified that all CSI and MRI schools completed required iMSSA participation, this must happen before Thursday at 9 p.m. MT. There is no exception window or late submission process after portal closure. Federal program directors: confirm today with your District Test Coordinator. Any school that fails to meet participation requirements retains its improvement designation, carrying over Title I set-aside obligations and school improvement plan requirements into SY 2026–27.
ESSA Participation Data Review window opens June 5—NMPED correction template expected this week; designate your SAGE lead now.
NMPED’s ESSA Participation Data Review window, during which LEAs may submit corrections to student participation data for the 2025–26 accountability cycle, opens June 5 and closes June 19, 2026. NMPED is expected to release the Participating Student Corrections Template and associated instructions this week or next. LEAs must have a designated lead with active SAGE portal access to submit corrections. Any corrections submitted outside the June 5–19 window will not be accepted, and errors in participation data will carry forward into school accountability calculations and school designations published September 14.
Why it matters for districts
Confirm your SAGE portal lead is designated and has current access at [email protected] immediately. Review your district’s NM-MSSA and iMSSA participation records for completeness and accuracy now, before you receive the template, so you are ready to act the moment the window opens June 5. Errors in EL or special education student participation rates can directly affect Title I, Title III, and school improvement plan obligations.
SEED grant application deadline is June 1—one week away; partner documentation must be complete now.
The FY 2026 Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant application closes June 1, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET via Grants.gov (opportunity DOL-OESE-33914). ED and DOL plan to award approximately $90 million to 25–30 eligible entities—LEAs in partnership with IHEs or nonprofits. Applicants must submit through Grants.gov, and all partner organizations must have active SAM.gov registrations. Estimated award announcements are expected on or before September 30, 2026. The TA webinar recording from April 28 remains available through Grants.gov for last-minute preparation.
Why it matters for districts
With one week remaining, any district involved as a named partner in a SEED application must have completed all required partnership documentation and confirmed that its authorized representative can execute agreements. SAM.gov registrations must be active and not expiring before October 2026. Lead applicants should have shared final drafts with all partners by now for review. If your district was approached about a SEED partnership this week, verify the lead applicant’s internal submission deadline—it may be before June 1.
Comprehensive Centers competition intent-to-apply deadline is May 29—one week away for eligible organizations.
ED strongly encourages all prospective applicants for the FY 2026 Comprehensive Centers Program competition (84.283B and 84.283D) to submit an intent to apply by May 29, 2026. Intent is submitted by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Intent to Apply” and including the applicant’s name and a contact person’s name and email address. The full application deadline is June 30, 2026 via Grants.gov (ED-GRANTS-050826-001). The $46 million competition includes National, Regional, and the new Field-Initiated Content Centers categories. The Field-Initiated track allows applicants to propose their own topic areas based on state-identified needs—a significant new opportunity for organizations serving NM.
Why it matters for districts
LEAs are not direct applicants, but the Comprehensive Centers network provides the technical assistance infrastructure that helps districts navigate ESSA compliance, school improvement planning, and evidence-based practices. NM-based research organizations, RECs, or university-affiliated entities exploring the Field-Initiated Content Centers track should email intent by May 29. Districts that have benefited from regional CC support should share that documentation with prospective applicants as evidence of need in the NM context.
ED and DOL’s ten interagency agreements face fresh bipartisan scrutiny as Congress requests implementation briefings.
Following Secretary McMahon’s May 14 House testimony, the FY 2026 appropriations explanatory statement—while non-binding—formally called for biweekly briefings from ED and its partner agencies on the status of all interagency agreements (IAAs), including staffing transfers, implementation costs, and service delivery metrics. The statement, bicameral and bipartisan, stated no legal authority exists for ED to transfer its fundamental statutory responsibilities to other agencies. As of this week, ED has 10 IAAs with five agencies covering K–12 academic supports, CTE, family engagement, and postsecondary programs. The first round of congressionally requested briefings is expected this month.
Why it matters for districts
The biweekly briefing requirement is Congress’s primary leverage point for monitoring the IAA process without passing legislation. The outcomes of these briefings will likely shape the next round of appropriations language and could result in binding restrictions on future IAAs. For NM districts, the most consequential IAA remains the ED-DOL partnership covering Title I, II, III, and IV programs—because while July 1 formula grants will still flow through ED systems this year, a future cycle could require LEA-level changes to drawdown, reporting, and compliance platforms. Monitor NMPED communications for any state-level guidance triggered by IAA developments.
Funding & grant opportunities
SEED — Supporting Effective Educator Development (Federal, Competitive)
Final application deadline June 1, 2026 (11:59:59 p.m. ET) via Grants.gov, opportunity DOL-OESE-33914. All partner SAM.gov registrations must be current. Award announcements expected on or before September 30, 2026. TA webinar recording available on Grants.gov.
Quick take: One week remains. Partner districts must confirm authorized representative signatures and active SAM.gov today. Lead applicants: verify all partner documentation is complete before your internal submission cutoff, which may be before June 1.
Comprehensive Centers Program — FY 2026 (Federal, Competitive)
Intent to apply by May 29 strongly encouraged: email [email protected], subject “Intent to Apply.” Full application due June 30 via Grants.gov (ED-GRANTS-050826-001). Includes National, Regional, Field-Initiated Content Centers, and the National Center on Improving Literacy for Students with Disabilities (84.283D).
Quick take: One week to intent. NM-based organizations exploring the Field-Initiated Content Centers track should email intent now. Districts with strong school improvement or Title I compliance data should share documentation with prospective applicants as evidence of regional need.
Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) — FY 2026 (Federal, Competitive)
Supports teacher residency, pre-baccalaureate preparation, and Grow Your Own models in high-need schools. Invitational priorities include Registered Apprenticeship pathways for educators. Administered via DOL GrantSolutions. Contact: [email protected]. Federal Register notice 2026-09308.
Quick take: NM districts in high-need or rural/tribal communities are strong narrative partners for IHE-led applications. Contact UNM, NMSU, or WNMU teacher preparation programs immediately if not already in conversation.
Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) — FY 2026 (Federal, SEA only)
Supports state-level development of assessment instruments and systems including innovative item design and comprehensive EL/disability-focused assessment approaches. Administered through DOL. Contact: [email protected]. Submit via Grants.gov/DOL GrantSolutions.
Quick take: SEA-only grant. Monitor NMPED for state application intent. District assessment directors with EL or innovative interim assessment practices should share that documentation with NMPED’s Assessment Bureau as potential supporting evidence.
Compliance / deadlines watch
- EOY iMSSA & Pre-ID Portal — Closes THIS THURSDAY, May 22 (9 p.m. MT): No extensions. Verify CSI/MRI school participation with your DTC today. Final ISRs available May 26; Family Portal May 29. Portal closure is absolute.
- SEED Grant Final Application — June 1, 2026 (11:59:59 p.m. ET): Grants.gov, DOL-OESE-33914. One week remains. All partner SAM.gov registrations must be active. Confirm authorized representative documentation with lead applicant today.
- Comprehensive Centers — Intent to Apply — May 29, 2026: Email [email protected], subject “Intent to Apply.” One week away. Not required, but strongly encouraged before the June 30 application deadline.
- NMPED ESSA Participation Data Review Window — Opens June 5, Closes June 19, 2026: Correction template expected this week from NMPED. Designate your SAGE portal lead at [email protected] now. Review participation records before the window opens so you are ready to act immediately.
- Career Pathways Exploration (CPE) — June 9, 2026: SEA applicants only. NM districts with CTE or work-based learning programs may serve as implementation partners — contact NMPED Federal Programs Bureau.
- Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) — June 16, 2026 (11:59:59 p.m. ET): SEA-only. Contact [email protected].
- Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) — June 23, 2026 (11:59:59 p.m. ET): IHE-led; LEA partnership required for high-need and rural/tribal schools. Contact [email protected].
- Comprehensive Centers Program — June 30, 2026 (11:59:59 p.m. ET): Research orgs, IHEs, nonprofits. Grants.gov ED-GRANTS-050826-001. Contact [email protected].
- NMPED Unified Application (UA) — All LEAs — Ongoing: Mandatory for SY 2026–27. Weekly office hours continue. Completion gates federal fund approval. Do not defer past end of school year.
- NMPED DTC & Accountability Lead Designation — July 31, 2026: Complete before end of school year per 6.10.7 NMAC. Controls SAGE and iTester portal access for SY 2026–27.
Practical spotlight
What the ESEA waiver trend means for NM districts: watching, not waiting
Louisiana’s approval as the second “Returning Education to the States” waiver recipient—and ED’s confirmation that ten more states are in active conversations—puts NMPED on a list worth watching. The Iowa and Louisiana waivers are currently narrow: they consolidate state-level set-aside activities funds for Title II-A, III, and IV only, with no change to LEA-level formula allocations. But the waivers set a procedural template. If NMPED were to pursue a similar request, state-level professional development funds (Title II-A), English learner support set-asides (Title III), and student support activities funds (Title IV) could be merged into a single pool with fewer program-specific reporting strings attached. For districts that rely on NMPED-administered state set-aside funds for coaching, training, or technical assistance, this could reduce predictability about what support is available and on what terms. The practical action for NM federal program directors this week is to understand which of your district’s current resources or TA relationships flow from NMPED-administered state set-asides versus your own direct LEA allocations—because those two pools would be affected differently by any future waiver. Knowing the difference now puts you in a stronger position to comment meaningfully if a public notice process opens.
Looking ahead
Watch next week for NMPED to release the ESSA Participation Data Review correction template ahead of the June 5 window. The SEED grant deadline on June 1 closes the door on this cycle’s applications—watch for any ED announcement of application volumes or early process updates. The June 27 Louisiana Senate runoff between Rep. Letlow and Treasurer Fleming will determine the contours of future HELP Committee leadership, with education policy implications extending into the next Congress. Also watch for congressional briefings on the interagency agreements, which ED is now required to provide biweekly.
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