AOE Seeking Public Comment on Waiver Request to Consolidate ESEA State-Level Activities Funds

The Vermont Agency of Education is requesting a waiver of ESEA section 8201(a) and (b) to enable consolidation of ESEA Title IIA, IVA, and IVB State-level activities funds. The waiver is requested for federal fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

Title IIA is the primary federal program supporting professional learning for educators. Title IVA is focused on promoting safe, healthy, and well-rounded educational opportunities for students. IVB (also known as 21 Century Learning Centers) is the primary source of funding for summer and afterschool programming, including tutoring. Both IVA and IVB also may be used for professional learning to support the programs' intents.

State-level activities funds are permissible set-asides from annual Title program allocations, most of which are used to provide statewide professional development at no cost to LEAs. They also may be used to support salaries for SEA employees implementing the intents of the Titles, including providing technical assistance and guidance, and brokering or providing professional learning to schools and districts.

This waiver would not change the amounts the Agency sets aside from these three programs, which are limited by statute.

It would change how the Agency manages these dollars, by simplifying administrative burdens and facilitating development and implementation of statewide professional learning opportunities for educators in a wider range of job roles (e.g., curriculum directors as well as classroom teachers and school principals) and settings (e.g., both afterschool and classroom settings) to support integrated professional learning activities, guidance, and support to address literacy, math, and chronic absenteeism strategic goals.

Read the full text of the waiver request PDF

How to Comment

The Agency welcomes comments on this request. Please submit in writing by 4:30 pm Monday May 11, 2026 to [email protected].