|
60 :
53
U.S. Department of Education: Using Federal Funds to Support Career and Workforce Readiness
The U.S. Department of Education will share information about how Federal funds, including Title I and Perkins, can work together to support state and local workforce readiness initiatives. North Dakota state and school district representatives will share the work the state and districts are doing to advance career and technical education.
This talk was presented at:
2026 National ESEA Conference
February 2026
in
Denver, CO
Speakers
Todd Stephenson
Todd Stephenson is a Management and Program Analyst in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, School Support and Accountability. In this capacity he works with different aspects of the Title I, Part A program and other ESEA programs, including equitable services and allocations.
Patrick Rooney
Patrick Rooney is the Director of School Support and Accountability. He oversees several key components of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), including 21st Century Community Learning Centers; Title I, Part A; Title I, Part D; Title II; State Assessment Grants; Competitive Grants for State Assessments; and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education programs. Patrick previously helped lead the work of the Reform Support Network, providing technical assistance to states implementing comprehensive Race to the Top reforms, and the Race to the Top Assessment program, which provided grants to groups of states to develop new assessments aligned to state’s college and career ready standards. He also worked in the DC Office of State Superintendent of Education, where he was a senior policy advisor and worked on a variety of K-12 issues in the District of Columbia. He started his career as a statistician in the National Center for Education Statistics, analyzing education trends for a variety of topics in the Congressionally mandated annual report, The Condition of Education.
Laurie Matzke
Laurie Matzke has served as the Assistant State Superintendent since 2016 and recently transitioned to a new role as the Chief of Program Development & Growth for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for the department’s special projects and opportunities for development aligned with the agency's vision and mission. Laurie is the project lead for the state’s Choice Ready Initiative. The Choice Ready Framework is a key element for high Schools in our accountability system. It measures whether high schools are preparing students for success in life after graduation. Laurie also leads the Grow Your Own work in the department, which includes the para-to-teacher pathway, registered teacher apprenticeship, registered principal apprenticeship, and a new Lead Teacher apprenticeship. Laurie graduated from Valley City State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in reading and early childhood education. She obtained her master’s in curriculum and instruction at California State University, Fullerton. She taught first grade for five years in Corona, California, before joining the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction in 1993.
Melanie Kathrein
Melanie Kathrein serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Academic Achievement for Dickinson Public Schools in North Dakota. With decades of experience as both a classroom teacher and a central office administrator, she brings a strong instructional background and a steady commitment to supporting teaching and learning across the district. In her current role, Melanie helps guide the district’s work with the Marzano High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework, supporting schools as they align systems, strengthen instructional practices, and focus on continuous improvement. Working alongside district and school-based teams, six district schools have earned HRS Level 4 certification, with two additional schools achieving Level 3. Melanie also contributes at the state level through service on the North Dakota ESSA Committee and the North Dakota Choice Ready Subcommittee, working alongside educators statewide to support student readiness and success.
ESEA Network
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect With Us
 |
 |
 |
 |
Contact Us
admin@eseanetwork.org | 800-256-6452
532 North Franklin Street | Fort Bragg, CA 95437
About Us
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (formerly the National Title I Association) is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect with Us
|
|
|
|
