How is the ESEA administered?

The federal government administers ESEA through the U.S. Department of Education. Funding for ESEA’s programs flows from the Department to the various state educational agencies (SEA’s) following approval of various applications and/or grant proposals submitted by the states.

California’s SEA is the California Department of Education (CDE).

The amount of ESEA funding received by SEA’s is calculated on the basis of various formulas that count students enrolled in both public and private schools. The CDE maintains records of private school enrollment by tabulating data contained in affidavits submitted by private schools on an annual basis.

Federal program guidelines permit SEA’s to retain a certain percentage of the funds they receive for administration, monitoring and compliance, and statewide programming. However, the majority of the funds flow from the SEA to local educational agencies (LEA’s). In California, LEA’s are synonymous with public school districts. In most instances, LEA’s actually plan and implement the programs authorized and funded by ESEA.