ESEA Assurances & School Prayer Certification
ODE will open the 2025-26 CIP-Budget Narrative applications in August 2025. Districts are required to submit their pre-requisite assurances documentation in order to obligate funds starting July 1, 2025.
Federal regulations (34 CFR 76.708) require that federal formula grant funds may not be obligated (incur costs) until the latter of the following two dates: (1) July 1, or (2) the date the applicant submits its application to the state in substantially approvable form. Federal regulations further stipulate that reimbursement for obligations is subject to final approval of the application.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Assurances form a binding agreement between the local educational agency, the Oregon Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education that assures all legal requirements are met in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and rules.
In order for School Districts to obligate or draw down federal funds for school year 2025-26, ODE requires that a Local Educational Agency’s Superintendent or Designee must sign and submit the following forms
by June 30, 2025:
Signed assurance forms can be submitted via the CIP Budget Narrative - Assurances Smartsheet Submission Form.
For more information on this topic contact Kyle Walker, Federal Programs Analyst.