Title II-A Equitable Services for Private Schools

2015 ESEA Directors Institute

August 27, 2015

Consolidated Planning & Monitoring

Quache SpencerOCR and Non-public Manager

Quache.Spencer@tn.gov615-770-1793 (Office) 615-906-4425 (Cell)

Agenda

Agenda

• Why are private schools eligible for Title II-A services?

• What is the purpose of Title II-A funds?

• What are eligible activities ?

• What are FAQs regarding Title II-A equitable services?

• Actual Title II-A scenarios- “What would you say?”

Why are Private Schools Eligible for Title II-A Services?

• The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires LEAs to provide for the equitable participation of private school students, teachers and, in some cases, parents and other education personnel in some of the ESEA major programs, including Title II, Part A, Improving Teacher Quality.

What is the purpose of Title II-A funds?• Provide funds for professional development for

private school teachers, principals, and other educational personnel.

• LEAs may use Title II, Part A funds for a variety of teacher-quality activities that may or may not include professional development.

• However, services for private school teachers must be for professional development.

What is the purpose of Title II-A funds?

– Mathematics– Science– Geography– Civics/Government– Economics– Elementary Curriculum

– Reading– English Language Arts– Music (general, choral,

instrumental)– Visual Arts– Dance/Theatre– Foreign (World)

Languages

• Title II, Part A services are for improving knowledge in core academic subjects and effective instructional teaching strategies.

• Core Academic Subjects include:

What are eligible activities?

• Activities to be carried out for private school personnel must be based on a review of scientifically-based research.

• Activities must be expected to improve student

academic achievement.

• Activities may include:– Local workshops and seminars– Out of town travel/training– Vendors and speakers presenting at private schools– Services provided by LEAs

What are eligible activities?

• Professional development activities may include training in:– Improving the knowledge of teachers, principals, and other

educational personnel – Effectively integrating technology into curricula and

instruction– How to teach students with different needs, including

students with disabilities or limited English proficiency, and gifted and talented students

– Classroom and behavior management– Leadership development and management– Use of data and assessment

What are eligible activities?

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.Feb.

March

April

May

June

July

All eligible activities should be vetted

during consultation between LEAs and

private school officials. Timely and meaningful

consultation must continue throughout the implementation and assessment of

services.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for Title II-A equitable services

Does the professional development program for private school teachers have to be the same as the professional development program for public school teachers?

– No. LEAs must assess the needs of private school teachers in designing the professional development program for private school teachers.

If the professional development needs of the private school teachers are different from those of public school teachers, the LEA, in consultation with private school representatives, should develop a separate program.

FAQs for Title II-A equitable services

May Title II, Part A funds be used to pay for a private school teacher’s attendance at a professional conference sponsored or conducted by a faith-based organization?

–  Yes. To the extent that the conference is part of a sustained and comprehensive secular professional development plan for the teacher, then Title II, Part A funds may be expended to pay for the portion of the costs of the conference that, as determined by the LEA, represent the secular professional development in which the teacher participated.

In this case, the LEA would pay or reimburse the teacher for attendance at the conference.

FAQs for Title II-A equitable services

May funds be used to pay stipends to private school teachers participating in a Title II, Part A professional development program?

– Yes. Title II, Part A funds may be used to pay for stipends for private school teachers, as reasonable and necessary. For example, if the professional development activity is conducted during after-school hours or in the summer, stipends may be needed to compensate teachers for their participation outside their regular employment hours.

Stipends for private school teachers must be available on the same basis as those for public school teachers and the stipends must be paid directly to the private school teachers for their own use, and not to the private school.

FAQs for Title II-A equitable services

May Title II, Part A funds be used to pay for substitute teachers who replace teachers from private schools while they attend professional development activities? 

– No. The Title II, Part A program does not authorize payments to private schools to be used for hiring substitute teachers.

FAQs for Title II-A equitable services

May an LEA require private school representatives to submit an application in order to receive services for the teachers in a private school with Title II, Part A funds? 

– LEAs may request documentation, as needed, from private school officials that can help the LEA identify services that may be appropriate to the needs of private school teachers.

However, requiring a formal application may, depending upon its form and content, constitute an administrative barrier that is inconsistent with the LEA’s responsibility to ensure equitable participation of private school teachers.

 

Actual Title II-A Scenarios

What would you say?

AJK Private school wants to send 2 people to a conference in San Antonio. There are sessions on parent use of the program, instructional features of the program, grading features, scheduling, and tuition management, etc. One person that they are requesting to attend is the Financial Manager.

Allowable? 

What would you say?

What would you say?

My French teacher wants to go to a conference to improve her conversational French. The entire conference will be conducted in French and she will come away with materials to use in her class and share with other French teachers in our organization. The conference is August 10-25 in Quebec Canada.

Allowable?

What would you say?

What would you say?

The principals at Mary Academy and Joseph Elementary would like to bring in Staff Development for Educators (SDE) representatives to conduct a 3-day professional development on Singapore Math. The two schools would like to combine their Title II-A services by having all teachers from both schools attend all sessions.

Allowable?

What would you say?

What would you say?

Principal Walters at Young Flowers Day School wants to purchase equipment and materials for a professional development lab complete with a smart board, 4 computers, 1 Elmo document camera, and a professional development library that he will add to every year. This lab will be used for Wednesday faculty meetings, professional learning communities (PLC) meetings, and individual planning time.

Allowable?

What would you say?

Equitable Worksheet

These numbers are the sum of your district allocation.

This number can be found on the ePlan home page.

Equitable Services Calculations

• Items related to professional development must be included in equitable services calculations:

– Staff development– In-services– PD Coaches– Mentors (salaries, benefits, and equipment)– Substitutes – Supplies /materials

Equitable Services Calculations

• Items that should not be included in equitable services calculations include:

– Indirect cost and Administration (for both public and private programs)

– Class size reduction– Recruitment activities– Recruitment/retention bonuses– Testing fees

Let’s Practice!

For the purpose of this exercise you are Winning School District and your district’s enrollment is 45,000. Of the participating private schools, you have a private school enrollment of 5,500.

Your district allocation of $2,350,000

Your hold harmless amount is $410,500

What are your calculations?

QuestionsFeedback

TASL Credit Keyword

Questions?

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• Today, please use the survey link below.

– https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2015-ESEA-Aug-27

TASL Credit

• In order to receive 14 TASL credits for the 2015 ESEA Directors Institute, the participant must attend two full days, August 26 – 27.– Partial credit cannot be earned.– Use the form provided at the back of the agenda to collect

keywords throughout the conference. – After the conference, go online to https://

www.surveymonkey.com/r/2015-ESEA-TASL and enter your information.

• You will not receive credit if you do not complete the online form by September 4, 2015.

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