Private Schools

General Information

Under Title I, local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to provide services for eligible private school students, as well as eligible public school students. In particular, §1120 the Title I services for private school students must be developed in consultation with officials of the private schools. The ESEA strengthened these requirements by, among other things, requiring meetings with private school officials and a written affirmation signed by private school officials that the required consultation has occurred.

The amount of Title I funds allocated to each participating public school attendance area is determined mainly on the basis of the total number of low-income students - both public and private - residing in each area. Expenditures for private school students in each area generally are determined based on the proportion of students from low-income families residing in that area who attend private school.

Federal Program services provided by the LEA for private school participants are designed to meet their educational needs and supplement the educational services provided by the private school. These services may be provided by the LEA, or by a contractor who is independent of the private school and religious organizations. Title I services or benefits must be secular, neutral, and non-ideological.

This guidance relates specifically to Title I, Part A services for private school children. Under a number of other U.S. Department of Education (US ED) programs, private school students are entitled to receive equitable services. For information regarding these other programs, see the US ED's Web site at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/nonpublic.

Source: (PROVIDING SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PRIVATE SCHOOL CHILDREN, Non-Regulatory Guidance, October 17, 2003, U.S. Department of Education)