400 MARYLAND AVE. SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20202 

www.ed.gov 

The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness

by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access

November 14, 2018 

Dear Chief State School Officer: 

I am writing to provide important information regarding the process for submitting 

amendments to your approved ESEA consolidated State plan under the Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds 

Act (ESSA). 

We appreciate the work you and your team have done in developing a consolidated State 

plan that meets the requirements of the ESEA while also representing the needs of your 

districts, schools and stakeholders. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) 

expects that each State will revise and strengthen its consolidated State plan, as 

appropriate, to better address the educational needs of children in the State. Prior to 

implementing any revisions to its approved consolidated State plan, a State must submit 

its proposed amendments to the Department for review and approval. Consistent with the 

consolidated assurances each State submitted in June 2017 under ESEA section 8304, 

prior to submitting any amendment to the Department, a State must consult with the 

Governor on the amendment, afford a reasonable opportunity for public comment on the 

amendment, and consider such comments. 

When submitting an amendment to the Department for approval, please submit: 

1) A redlined version of the approved consolidated State plan that reflects all

proposed changes;

2) A cover letter describing the proposed changes;

3) The signature of the chief State school officer or authorized representative; and

4) A description of how the State provided the public a reasonable opportunity to

comment on the plan.

A State may not implement a change until the amendment has been approved. Therefore,

we recommend that a State submit proposed amendments to the Department as much in 

advance of the State’s desired date of implementation as possible. Please submit any 

amendments related to accountability determinations for the 2019-2020 school year no 

later than March 1, 2019. Amendments must be submitted by that date in order for the 

Department to determine whether a requested amendment complies with all applicable 

statutory and regulatory requirements in time for your State to implement changes to its 

accountability determinations for the 2019-2020 school year based on data from the 

2018-2019 school year (e.g., identification of schools for comprehensive or targeted 

support and improvement for the 2019–2020 school year). While amendments submitted 

after that date will be accepted and reviewed, they may not be approved in time for the 

State to make accountability determinations no later than the beginning of the 2019-2020 

school year. 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Page 2

Thank you again for the work that you continue to do to implement the ESEA and 

provide a high-quality education to all your students. If you have any questions or need 

additional information, please contact your Office of State Support program officer at 

OSS.[State]@ed.gov (e.g., OSS.Alabama@ed.gov).

Sincerely,

/s/

Frank Brogan

Assistant Secretary of Elementary and 

Secondary Education

cc: State Title I, Part A Directors

State Title I, Part C Directors

State Title I, Part D Directors

State Title II, Part A Directors

State Title III, Part A Directors

State Title IV, Part A Directors

State Title IV, Part B Directors

State Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 Directors

State Assessment Directors

State Directors for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act: Education for 

Homeless Children and Youths Program