Dr. David Holbrook

Dr. David Holbrook is a nationally recognized leader in federal programs administration and monitoring with expertise in Title I, Title III, Native American Education, and Federal Programs. Dr. Holbrook has also worked as a consultant with Title III of the US Department of Education and now serves as Executive Director, Federal Compliance and State Relationships with TransAct.

Recent Posts

Private School Consultation and Tribal Consultation Notices Updated

By Dr. David Holbrook | August 16, 2022

In response to guidance released by the U.S. Department of Education (USED), TransACT has updated documents in its ESSA ParentNotices Collection in two content categories:

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Big Changes to Charter School Grant Fund Eligibility in New Regulations

By Dr. David Holbrook | August 1, 2022

The U.S. Department of Education (USED) recently issued new regulations for the federal grant program,Charter School Grant Program (CSGP), that include significant changes to what was originally proposed by the USED.

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ESSER Funds are One-Time Funds: Why is This Important?

By Dr. David Holbrook | April 15, 2022

Background

In March of 2021, the U.S Congress passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, providing an additional $122 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding. This funding, coupled with the CARES Act (passed March 2020) and CRRSA Act (passed December 2020) ESSER funds brings the total ESSER funding to about $190 billion to help education agencies at the state and local level address the educational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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Allowable Uses of COVID Relief: Technology and Construction

By Dr. David Holbrook | March 25, 2022

States, school districts, and schools have significant flexibility in spending federal COVID relief funds announced last spring.   

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One Important Thing to Spend Your ESSER Funds On: Contracts for Mental Health Providers

By Dr. David Holbrook | March 16, 2022

A lot of competition exists for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. There are many questions on how best to use these funds to support students and educators. One area where the use of these funds is especially urgent is student mental health. 

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Pandemic Disruptions to Indian Education and Indian Health Care Concerns and Solutions

By Dr. David Holbrook | May 19, 2021

By David Holbrook, Keja Whiteman, with contributions from Jenn Runs Close To Lodge 

As part of our commitment to provide school district administrators with resources and guidance on federal program compliance and administration, we regularly publish blogs featuring guest writers. We are honored to feature a co-written article between TransACT Executive Director of Federal Programs and State Relationships, Dr. Holbrook, and his colleague Keja Nokomis Whiteman of KW Consultants LLC, with contributions from middle school educator Jenn Runs Close To Lodge. 

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Significant Changes to Tennessee State Regulations Regarding English Learners

By Dr. David Holbrook | April 30, 2021

The Tennessee Rules of the State Board of Education, Chapter 0520-01-19 English as a Second Language Programs outlines significant state-level requirements related to English Learner students (ELs).

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$20 Billion Increase for ESSA Title I in Biden Administration’s FY2022 Proposed Budget

By Dr. David Holbrook | April 9, 2021

Every year, in order to inform the U.S. Congress of the presidential administration’s priorities, the White House releases a proposed budget for the next fiscal year (FY). The U.S. Congress is the legislative body that creates the federal law that designates the amount of funding available for the federal government and can confirm or ignore the White House’s proposed budget.

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USED Announces Waivers for Accountability and Flexibilities for Assessments for the 2020-2021 School Year

By Dr. David Holbrook | March 1, 2021

The U.S. Department of Education (USED) has sent out a letter to Chief State School Officers (state education leaders) with information related to the 2020-2021 school year concerning the following issues:

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Biden Orders Review of Changes to Public Charge Regulations

By Dr. David Holbrook | February 18, 2021

On February 2, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order requiring government agencies to conduct an immediate review of changes made to the Public Charge rules made by the previous administration.

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