Private School Participation under ESEA

Districts and Private Schools Participating in ESEA Equitable Services

What are Equitable Services?

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was signed into law in 1965 and reauthorized as the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015. Titles IA and Title VIII of ESSA mandates provisions for private school students to receive access to equitable services for Title IA, IC, IIA, IIIA, IVA, and IVB. Officials use non-regulatory guidance (NRG) to determine how to ensure equitable services to private school students.

Title IA: Improving Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged

Title IA Equitable Services NRG (2023) USED

Title VIII Equitable Services NRG (Includes Titles IC, IIA, IIIA, IVA, IVB and IVF):

Title VIII Equitable Services NRG (2023) USED

Evidence of Consultion Form:

The Evidence of Consultation Form is to be used by School Districts to submit a signed Affirmation of Consultation Form or evidence of communication with Private Schools. Every district that consults with the private schools on equitable services must complete an Evidence of Consultation Form, even if the private school was non-responsive or declined services. For more information about the Evidence of Consultation Form, please see the Evidence of Consultation FAQs Toolkit.

ESEA Equitable Services for Private Schools by LEA

ESEA section 1117 (a)(4)(C), section 8501(a)(4)(C); and 34 CFR section 299.7(a)(4) require the ODE to annually provide information on the amount of funds allocated for equitable services under Title I and Title VIII for each LEA.

Equitable Services Toolkit

Affirmation of Consultation
- ODE has provided forms below for Districts and Private Schools to complete during consultation. Districts may choose to use their own form as long as it provides a place for Private Schools to indicate whether or not the consultation was meaningful and timely; and whether or not services were provided in a manner that is equitable to public school students.
- All Affirmations of Consultation should be uploaded to the Evidence of Consultation Form.
Intent to Participate
- The Intent to Participate Letter is a template that the District can use to reach out to Private Schools to invite Private Schools to a consultation meeting.
Title IA Family Income Survey
- Title IA Family Income Survey is a form that a private school can distribute to families to help the private school determine if they may have students eligible for Title IA equitable services based on family income. Here are two letters that the district and private school can include with the Family Income Survey:
  - Letter Version 1
  - Letter Version 2
Needs Assessment for Equitable Services
- Equitable Service Needs Assessment is a document that explains how and why and needs assessment is completed for equitable service programs.
Evaluation of Equitable Service Programs
- Evaluation of Equitable Service Programs is a document that explains how and why evaluation of equitable service programs should be completed. It also provides several sample evaluation forms.
Complaint Process
- Complaint Process is an overview of how a private school should file a complaint if they feel the district did not complete consultation in a timely and meaningful manner, give consideration to the views of the private school, and/or provide equitable services.
General Information
- General Information and Ombudsman is an overview of the duties and role of the Private School Ombudsman under ESSA.

Equitable Service Learning Modules

Additional Resources

For more information on this topic, email the Private School Ombuds, Janette Newton or call (503) 551-9405.