Since 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)requires local educational agencies (LEAs) and other eligible entities to provide for the equitable participation of private school students, staff and families of students enrolled in nonprofit private schools.
Title I, Part A equitable services are governed under ESEA section 1117 and 8501. ESEA, Title VIII equitable service provisions cover the following programs:
Title I Part C - Education of Migratory Children
Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction
Title III, Part A -English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement
Title IV, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment
Title IV, Part B - 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Title IV, Part F - Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project Serve)
Notice to Title IV-B Applicants/Recipients: When applying for a NEW 21st CCLC grant, schools must submit a Notification of Intent to Participate (NIP) or Affirmation of Consultation (AOC) form, commonly referred to as “Form C”. The Notification of Intent to Participate will be uploaded for all private schools that opt out of Title IV-B participation. The Affirmation of Consultation will be uploaded for all private schools that opt to participate in ongoing Title IV-B consultation. Since the school was awarded, the district must include the 21st CCLC Title IV-B program along with its other federal programs when conducting annual private school consultations, as well as for the duration of the 21st CCLC grant award. All continuing sites must upload the appropriate FY24 document (NIP or AOC) in EMAC by September 30th. Title IV-B/21st CCLC Directors/Coordinators must secure a copy of the completed NIP or AOC and upload it into the Grants Management System as part of the FY24 continuing application by September 30th.
ESEA Title I-A Updated 2023 Non-Regulatory Guidance - Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act: Providing Equitable Services to Eligible Private School Children
ESEA Title VIII Updated 2023 Equitable Services Non-Regulatory Guidance - Title VIII, Part F of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act: Equitable Services for Eligible Private School Children, Teachers, and Other Educational Personnel
Participant Support Cost - Statement of approval for LEAs to use equitable service funds for private school staff to attend a conference, training, or event up to $5,000.00
ADE Stronger Connections Grant Equitable Service Guidance - Equitable service is a requirement for all applicants of the Stronger Connections Grant. Use this guidance to ensure compliance and to ensure the LEA is requesting the appropriate amount of funds to fully fund the LEA's program and the participating private schools.
Disclaimer
Discrepencies between the published proportionate share and the LEA proportionate share may be attributed to one or more of the following factors (all requiring timely and meaningful consultation):
LEA portion of funds for equitable administrative activities
LEA poirtion of funds for equitable indirect costs
Equitable Services Allowability & Flexibility - Gain a better understanding into the allowability and flexibility of Title I-A, II-A and IV-A equitable service programs. (Jan 2023 ESSA Conference). The file MUST be downloaded to view the presentation notes.
Equitable Services Implementation & Procedures - Review statutory requirements for equitable services and required FY24 forms and procedures. (Jan 2023 ESSA Conference). The file MUST be downloaded to view the presentation notes.
Sample Timeline - Use as a guide for creating internal LEA equitable service procedures
Preliminary Yearlong Planning Template - Template for LEAs to send to participating private schools to create a preliminary plan for the use of equitable service funds (send with AOC)
During the legislative session of 2022 the legislature repealed A.R.S. 15-952 as part of the K-12 Budget Reconciliation Bill that was signed by Governor Doug Ducey. Due to this repeal an LEA will no longer be required to submit an Affirmation of Teacher Evaluations by February 1st to the Educator and School Excellence Unit. The repeal of 15-592 though does not remove the evaluation requirements of the LEA for certificated teachers as required under A.R.S. 15-537.
This month's edition includes insightful information on the Stronger Connections Competitive Grant program , TitleIAdmin.com, and other important topics.
