June Newsletter

June | 2026

Dear MoCAPE Friends and School Leaders,

I hope your Summer is off to a great start! I'd like to start by thanking you for your crazy wonderful support these past two years. I've successfully completed two surgeries, 8 months of chemo, 20 rounds of radiation and will be doing some on-going, longer term treatments. I felt your prayers and support every step of the way. I have missed our monthly connections but I appreciate those of you who have continued to reach out with questions and other things for me to work on. I had hoped to be back sooner but I'm back now!

I have been in continued communication with the Department of Ed in DC, DESE here in MO, the national CAPE organization and our State CAPEs. All I can say is that there has been a lot going on and it seems to be ever changing. I have put a few updates below, but be assured as soon as I send this, something will change!

What is most important right now, is feedback on how the Title I Bypass removal is going. I'll be hosting two Zoom meetings this month. Please plan to pop on to one and let me know how things are going! My goal is to resume normal activities this Fall, starting with monthly newsletters starting in August. I'll also plan to do some trainings on Federal Programs and Special Education.

Thank you again for your prayers and support,

Nicolette Gibson

Executive Director

816.651.6515

Removal of Title I Bypass

We need your input on how things are going with the Title I bypass removal. Please fill out our Google form. We will share what we learn with Dept of Ed and DESE. Plan to join one of the Zoom meetings - we'll be answering questions and checking in. I can't wait to see you!

Complete the Google Form to share your experiences about Bypass

Please complete by Friday 6/19

Bypass Bypass Survey 2026

Bypass Check In

Join Us:

June 18th at 10am

or June 22nd at noon

Share your thoughts about Bypass Title I

ONE Link for ALL meetings!

Federal Scholarship Progam

The Education Freedom Tax Credit that was created by President Trump’s historic Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The Education Freedom Tax Credit is the largest national expansion of education freedom in history and provides families with more affordable education options.

We anticipate updates to the program will come out at the end of September, we will keep you up to date.

Here is the PRESS RELEASE from the Department of Treasury from June 10.

Check out this FACT Sheet from the Department of Education

Federal Programs Updates

In May, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) shared a Dear Colleague Letter (DCLs) with chief state school officers, and the Office of Non-Public Education shared them with national and state private school leaders. The DCL provide updated clarification on how state and local education agencies (SEAs and LEAs) can exercise flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to transfer certain federal funds between programs or utilize funds in different ways to better meet local needs.

As a reminder, an LEA is required to engage in consultation with appropriate private school representatives before utilizing the transferability authority.

You can find additional information about this and other flexibilities available to SEAs and LEAs in the press release or see the DCL below.

Dear Colleague Letter – Transferability

MoCAPE | www.mocape.org