1. Equitable Services Under ESSA
The Ombudsman
Equitable Services Under ESSA

2. Georgia Department of Education Virginia Department of Education
Facilitators
Shaun Owen
State Ombudsman
Georgia Department of Education
Dr. Christopher Kelly
Equitable Services Ombudsman
Virginia Department of Education

3. Colorado Department of Education Texas Education Agency
Facilitators
Colleen Brooks, J.D.
ESEA Specialist
Colorado Department of Education
Cory Green
Associate Commissioner
Texas Education Agency

4. Overview Role of the Ombudsman Proactive State Outreach
Overseeing the complaint process
Consultation and Documentation
Developing private school work groups
Monitoring process

5. 1. Role of the Ombudsman

6. Role of the Ombudsman Policy Expert
Provide technical expertise for the Department of Education, school districts, and others in interpreting, understanding, and implementing accountability requirements for equitable services
Ensure all equitable services reporting requirements are met

7. Role of the Ombudsman Collaborator and Facilitator
Collaborate with federal program staff, including office of special education, on matters related to equitable services  
Provide consultation to school districts and private schools, as needed

8. Role of the Ombudsman Liaison
Foster the relationship between public and private schools  
Address concerns brought to the state regarding consultation and/or service provisions

9. 2. Proactive State Outreach

10. Outreach- Proactive Approach
Group LEA and Private School Conference Calls (Ongoing)
Archdiocese- Principals’ Mtg (Sept ‘17)
Association of Christian Schools International (Aug ’17)
Federal Programs Conf- LEA/Private School Panel (June ’17)
Webinar Technical Assistance Trainings (April/May ’17)
GA Compensatory Educational Leaders (Feb ‘17)

11. 3. Overseeing the complaint process

14. 4. Consultation and Documentation

15. Consultation Timeline
CDE developed a timeline for consultation jointly with the Colorado Non-public Schools Working Group
Reinforces the premise that consultation is not a one-time meeting, but rather an ongoing series of interactions designed to meet the timely and meaningful requirements in statute and guidance, as well as implement meaningful services for students, families, and staff
Identify the rights and responsibilities for each party
Provide training to local educational agencies (LEAs) through in-person and virtual Regional Network Meetings
Provide training to non-public school administrators and principals through Annual Principal Meetings

16. Consultation Timeline
+ If a non-public school has not received communication from the LEA regarding the invitation to participate during the spring, the non-public school should notify the LEA of its interest in participating in Federal programs.
* Assessment of services includes progress monitoring of student academic performance (pre-assessment and midyear) and the evaluation of program implementation. LEAs and private school officials should determine which party will be responsible for the activities within the assessment of services during consultation, the outcome of which should be included in the consultation form that is submitted to the Ombudsman for Equitable Services.
** Preliminary allocations are subject to change; LEAs should update participating non-public school representatives if/when allocations are updated and substantially impact the programming and ability to provide equitable services.

17. Consultation Form
Collected annually as a part of the in-take process for the Consolidated Application for ESEA Funds
LEAs must submit Consultation Forms for all known non-public schools prior to receiving substantial approval
Colorado’s Consultation Form incorporates the:
requirement to submit affirmation of consultation (or indicate that invitation was sent but was either met in decline or non-response),
selection of programs in which the non-public school will participate,
topics of discussion that must be addressed during consultation,
summary of services to be provided,
ability for each party to indicate whether they agree to the services describe,
requirement to describe reasons for disagreement between the LEA and non-public school, and
signature of each party.

18. Consultation Form

19. Consultation Form
CDE received positive feedback from LEAs and non-public schools
The guided consultation form has assisted both parties in understanding their rights and responsibilities under the law, and more importantly, has assisted in relationship building between the LEAs and non-public schools which results in more meaningful and effective services for students

20. 5. Developing private school work groups

21. Equitable Services Workgroup
Established a state-level equitable services working group in 2013
To enhance communication and collaboration
Represent private schools, State, and school districts
Meets three times a year at various locations and has a web/call-in option
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is establishing a state-level private school equitable services working group in to enhance communication and collaboration among nonprofit private schools, the Department, and school divisions. The group discusses key topics and activities that address issues of mutual interest to Virginia's public and nonpublic school communities. The group plays an important part of Virginia’s commitment to building meaningful partnerships.

22. Non-public Schools Working Group
Developed organically in Colorado out of an interest in the changes under the Every Student Succeeds Act, the need for a more clearly defined communication channel with the non-public school community, and the need to build relationships and transparency between LEAs and non-public schools
Currently working to define the responsibilities of the working group, as well as the scope of the work to be addressed
Includes representatives from the Colorado Department of Education, LEAs, non-public school administrators and teachers
Meet quarterly in-person throughout the year (adding call-in option soon)

23. 8. Monitoring Process

24. Monitoring Process
States are required to monitor school districts for compliance with the provisions of equitable services to private school students and teachers and must include a process for the overseeing complaints by private school officials.

25. Monitoring Process Process Includes Application Review
Technical Assistance Workshops
On-site support for consultation
Documentation Review
Federal Program Monitoring

26. Resources To learn more about equitable services, visit:
Colorado-
Georgia Programs/Pages/State-Ombudsman.aspx
Virginia-
Texas /ESSA_Private_School_Equitable_Services/

27. Contacts
Christopher Kelly, Ed.D. Education Coordinator - Equitable Services Ombudsman Phone: (804) Shaun Owen Director of Consolidated Federal Initiatives State Ombudsman Phone:

28. Contacts
Colleen Brooks, J.D. ESEA Policy Specialist, Ombudsman for Equitable Services desk: (303) cell: (720) Cory Green Associate Commissioner Phone: (512)

29. The Ombudsman Federal Program Specialist
State Leadership
Federal Program Specialist
Private School – State Leadership
School District Leadership
Private School Principals