The first ever Collaborative Federal Programs Meeting was held in Washington, D.C. July 23-25, 2014. The organizing of this meeting started in September of 2013 when the National Title I Association (NASTID) and the National Council of State Title III Directors (NCSTIIID) began planning to meet jointly in the summer of 2014. Those plans expanded to include the Title I 1003(g) SIG Directors/Office of School Turnaround and some members of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)/Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)/Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).

The New York State Education Department’s Office of Bilingual Education and Foreign Studies has published their “Blueprint for English Language Learners (ELLs) Success.” This document contains 8 key principles that were “developed as a statewide framework aimed to clarify expectations for administrators, policymakers, and practitioners to prepare ELLs for success”. These principles include some excellent foundational ideas to be implemented, including “All teachers are teachers of English Language Learners, and need to plan accordingly”; “All school boards and district/school leaders are responsible for ensuring that the academic, linguistic, social, and emotional needs of ELLs are addressed”; and “Districts and schools recognize that bilingualism and biliteracy are assets, and provide opportunities for all students to earn a Seal of Biliteracy upon obtaining a high school diploma.”

The opt-in deadline for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) option for determining eligibility for the National School Lunch Program deadline has been extended. The original deadline of June 30^th has been extended to August 31^st.