TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW TO ENSURE EQUITABLE SHARE OF FUNDING IS PROVIDED TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS Jane Blanton Illinois State Board of Education

1. CONSULTATION, CONSULTATION, CONSULTATION 10 CONSULTATION TOPICS 1.How the LEA will identify needs 2.What services the LEA will offer 3.How and when the LEA will make decisions about delivery of services 4.How, where, and by whom the LEA will provide services 5.Size and scope of services 6.How the LEA will academically assess 7.Method of sources of data to determine number of students 8.Equitable services the LEA will provide to teachers and families 9.Service delivery mechanisms 10.Consideration and analysis of the views of the private school officials about third party providers

Sec.1120(b) of the No Child Left Behind and Sec of the Title I regulations require that timely and meaningful consultation occur between the Local Educational Agency (LEA) and private school officials prior to any decision that affects the opportunities of eligible private school children, their teachers, and their families to participate in Title I programs, and shall continue throughout the implementation and assessment of activities.

Sample Calendar April – Discussion of 10 consultation topics June – Eligible students and program design August – Orientation of Title I teachers August – Classes begin September – Assessment discussion October – First quarter report cards/Parent/teacher conferences/Meeting with LEA and private school admin….

2. TIMELINESS OF SERVICES Programs and services to the private school should begin at or as close to the same time as services begin in the public school. THINGS TO DO Set up a timeline with private school representatives Plan for multiple meetings and input from private school representatives Have an agenda and get input ahead of time Keep written notes and share with private school representatives Maintain “meaningful written assurance”

3. PROVIDE EQUITABLE SERVICES – EQUITABLE SHARE OF FUNDING Use proportion of low-income children to calculate: Instructional funds -Summer School -Preschool Professional development Parental involvement Share of funds from district wide instructional programs

4. EQUITABLE SHARE – TARGETING STEP 1 – ENTER LOW INCOME NUMBERS

EQUITABLE SHARE – TOP OF TARGETING STEP 4

EQUITABLE SHARE – BOTTOM OF TARGETING STEP 4 Instructional amount NonPublic Allocation

PRIVATE SCHOOL SHARE TAB

5. KNOW ALLOWABLE EXPENDITURES AND BUDGET CORRECTLY Salaries and benefits LEA contracts with 3 rd party providers LEA contracts with retired teachers Supplies, materials, and equipment (must have instruction in order to budget for these) Extended day services Summer programs Saturday programs Home tutoring Computer assisted instruction Take home computers Professional development

BUDGET DETAIL DESCRIPTION The non public instructional allocation on targeting step 4 should be shown in line 3000 on the budget page with the description reading as “non-public equitable share of (instruction, parental involvement, or professional development).” A description of what is being purchased or budgeted for should then follow the heading.

6. ENSURE BENEFITS TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOL The Title I program must primarily benefit participating Title I students (LEA must retain control of choosing participants) Ensure private school officials understand program rules and regulations Private school students must reside in the Title I attendance area No whole class instruction or team teaching is allowed All private school students may not be tested for eligibility Supplement not supplant Professional development must be targeted to helping teachers better teach at-risk students

7. MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE PROGRAM Balance the views of private school officials with LEA decisions Visit programs frequently and keep dialogue open with private school representatives Control of administration, funding, design, development, and program implementation must be maintained by the LEA It is the responsibility of the LEA to provide oversight, make decisions, control use of purchased materials, determine hiring of personnel, supervise third party contracts, evaluate program and personnel, and supervise Title I personnel

8. AVOID MISTAKES WHEN PROVIDING EQUITABLE SERVICES Never write a check directly to the private school. The LEA may reimburse or pay the staff of the non-public school or companies that provide the services. Use the proportion of low-income children in determining set aside portions for the private school program Make all aspects of funding topics available for consultation – be “above board” Ensue programs meet needs of private school participants

9. DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT Keep a log of contact attempts with the private schools – See USDE toolkit page 29 for sample: df df Document phone calls Document s Keep documentation on the criteria that is used to select targeted students in the private school program – See USBE toolkit above - pp. 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105 for forms on determining the most educationally needy children to receive services

10. EVALUATE THE PROGRAM Evaluate the program, not just the students The program must show progress for the participants Benchmarks for success are needed Results should be used to modify future programming

FORMS ISBE sends out LEA Affirmation of Consultation and private school participation sheets along with projected NCLB allocations. Other forms can be found on the ISBE website under the Division and Program link, Innovation and Improvement. Then in the resource box on the right, click on Nonpublic Participation.

RESOURCES Jane Blanton, ISBE Suzanne Dillow, ISBE npublic/index.html npublic/index.html htm s/titleitoolkit.pdf s/titleitoolkit.pdf