Federal Programs and Supports Unit (FPSU)

Our Work

The Federal Programs & Supports Unit (FPSU) administers programs and distributes funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), most recently reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Program. FPSU oversees Title I School Improvement through Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI) grants, as well as other Federal formula and competitive grants and awards.

ESEA is the longstanding federal law focused on K-12 education that helps ensure equitable opportunities for all students. ESEA's most recent reauthorization, ESSA, emphasizes:

1. Opportunities for historically underserved students
2. Local control and flexibility based on local context
3. Access to high academic standards and effective educators
4. Assessments that measure student progress towards meeting high academic standards
5. Federal accountability and actions for results
6. Preparation for student success in college and careers
7. Investment in high-quality preschools
8. Leverage of evidence-based practices

ESSER programs provided relief funds for schools and districts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impact of COVID-19. 

Quick Links

• Stronger Connections Grant
• ESSER Due Dates
• Office Hours Information 
• Consolidated Application Information
• ESEA Regional Contacts
• Notice: Final Amended ESSA State Plan Approved

Program Effectiveness

Office Supervisor: Tina Negley

FPSU's Program Effectiveness Office evaluates the effectiveness of ESEA programs, as reauthorized under ESSA, and fulfills Federal academic accountability and data reporting requirements. The Program Effectiveness team collects, manages, and analyzes data to inform funding decisions and program quality. We look beyond accountability, evaluating program impact and identifying and disseminating best implementation practices. Program Effectiveness also evaluates the impact of ESSER funds.

Major Duties: 

• Data
• Accountability
• Reporting to the U.S. Department of Education
• ESSA Identification
• ESSA State Report
• ESSA LEA Reports
• EDT Analyses
• Comparability Analyses
• ESSER Public Reporting
• ARP ESSER III LEA Plans
• Program Evaluation

Program Implementation

Office Supervisor: Laura Meushaw

FPSU's Program Implementation Office supports the identification of effective uses of ESSA and ESSER funds and how best to leverage them to meet students' needs. The Program Implementation team ensures that local plans and applications for funds meet program intent and are designed to improve student outcomes students.

Major Duties: 

• Consolidated Application
• EASI Application
• Stakeholder Engagement: ESEA Committee of Practitioners (CoP)
• Equitable Services to Non-Public Schools
• Technical Assistance: ESEA Launchpad
• Trainings: Regional Networking Meetings (RNMs)

Program Monitoring

Office Supervisor: Tammy Giessinger

FPSU's Program Monitoring Office oversees ESSA and ESSER implementation to ensure program, activity, and service implementation meets the program intent, improves student outcomes, and complies with Federal legislation and regulations.

Major Duties: 

• Federal Monitoring of ESEA and ESSER Programs
• Administration of the Stronger Connections Grant
• ESSER I, ESSER II, and ARP ESSER III Implementation & Post-Award Revisions (PARs)

COVID-19 and ESEA

COVID-19 Relief Fund (ESSER)