ESSA Private School Equitable Services
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) mandates that school districts provide "equitable services" for eligible students, teachers, and other educational personnel in private schools that reside within the Tomball ISD boundaries.
Fair Access
Private school students must have access to federally funded education programs and services that are comparable to those offered to public school students.
Consultation
School districts (Local Educational Agencies) are required to engage in timely and meaningful consultation with private school officials to determine the needs of their students and teachers.
Funding and Control
While private schools do not receive direct funding, LEAs must allocate a proportionate share of federal funds for equitable services. The LEA maintains control of these funds.
Programs Covered
- Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs
- Title II, Part A - Teacher Training and Recruiting
- Title III, Part A LEP & Immigrant - English Language Acquisition
- Title IV, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment
Secular Services
The services provided must be secular, neutral, and non-ideological, and they must supplement, not supplant, the services already provided by the private school.
Ombudsman Oversight
State Educational Agencies (SEAs) designate an ombudsman to monitor and enforce these equitable services requirements, ensuring compliance.
ESSA aims to ensure that eligible private school students and educators benefit from federal education programs in a manner that is fair and equitable to their public school counterparts.