ESSA & IDEA Equitable Services Invitation to Consultation Meeting
District Name: Newton County
Homeschool Parents and Private School Administrators,
Newton County School District invites Homeschool Parents to a consultation meeting regarding your child’s participation in the following federally funded programs.
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
In accordance with ESEA sections 1117 and 8501, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are required to reach out annually to homeschool families and private schools regarding the provision of equitable services. This includes consultation and planning prior to the start of the next school year.
• For Title I, Part A LEAs must invite private schools (located within or outside of the LEA and the state) with students residing within the LEA’s geographical boundaries.
• Title I, Part A: Improving Academic Achievement of Disadvantaged Students – Basic Programs grants provide supplementary educational services to pupils at public schools that have high concentrations of students from families that live in poverty. The purpose of the grant is to help improve teaching and learning for students most at risk of failing to meet State standards and to close the achievement gap.
• For Title VIII (Title I, Part C; Title II, Part A, Title III, Part A, Title IV, Part A), LEAs must invite private schools located in the LEA’s geographical boundaries.
• Title I, Part C, Education of Migratory Children grants provide high-quality and comprehensive educational programs for migratory children to help reduce the educational disruptions and other problems that result from repeated moves.
• Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction grants provide funding for purposes related to meeting the recruitment, retention, and professional development needs of teachers, principals and other school leaders.
• Title III, Part A: Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient (LEP) grants provide funding to help ensure that LEP students, including immigrant students, attain English proficiency, develop high levels of academic attainment in English, and meet the same state academic content and student academic achievement standards that all students are expected to meet.
• Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grants provide funding for activities to ensure well-rounded educational opportunities, safe and healthy students, and effective use of technology.
• For Title VIII (Title IV, Part B), LEAs and Community-Based Organizations must invite private schools located in the geographical boundaries of the attendance area served by the grant program.
• Title IV, Part B, 21st Century Community Learning Center grants provide opportunities for academic enrichment and tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools, meet state standards in core academic subjects and offers an array of additional services that reinforce and complement the regular academic program.
• For Title VI, Part B, Proportionate Share Funds for Students with Disabilities non-LEAs may reach outside the geographical boundaries depending on the service area listed in the contract.
• Title VI, Part B, Proportionate Share Funds for Students with Disabilities grants provide the allocation of a “proportionate share” of their Federal IDEA funds to provide homeschool and private school students with disabilities (SWD) with “services” in special education offered by the district.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
In accordance with IDEA regulation § 300.131, each LEA must annually locate, identify, and evaluate all children aged 3-21 with disabilities who are homeschooled or enrolled by their parents in private, including non-profit religious, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district served by the LEA.
If a homeschool or private school student is identified through the child find process, a consultation MUST occur between private school representatives, representatives of parents of parentally-placed private school children with disabilities and LEAs.
Initial Consultation Meeting Information
Consultation for services occurs in the school year prior to the start of services. Federal laws and regulations also outline topics that LEAs are required to review and explain in consultation.