State assessments formula grants

The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) received a $3.71 million formula grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Grants for State Assessments and Related Activities program (CFDA 84.369), awarded July 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2026. This grant supports the development, implementation, and maintenance of high-quality academic assessment systems for Maine's K-12 public education system. Specifically, the funding enables MDOE to develop state academic standards and standardized testing frameworks aligned with Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), administer state assessments, and coordinate participation in national assessment programs such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

As the prime grantee, MDOE distributes the majority of these federal funds to local educational agencies, school districts, and community-based organizations throughout Maine's 16 counties to support assessment administration and related accountability activities. A federal grant sub-award valued at an unspecified amount was issued to the University of Wisconsin System (UW System Administration) on November 26, 2025, to provide technical expertise and specialized support for the state's assessment development and implementation efforts, further enhancing Maine's capacity to ensure schools and local education agencies (LEAs) are held accountable for achieving challenging academic standards linked to college and career readiness.