ESSA Private School Equitable Services

This page describes 91�ȱ� plans for compliance with equitable private nonprofit school (PNP) services requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

COVID-19 and Federal Grant Funds

Visit the Department of Grant Compliance and Administration for information on the federal grants authorized in response to COVID-19.

ESSA Equitable Services

Private Nonprofit Equitable Services Reservations

The reports below provide the amount of funds that must be reserved by LEAs for equitable services to eligible students at participating private nonprofit schools. ��

For Title I, Part A, the private nonprofit (PNP) equitable services reservation amount does not include any reduction for school district administration of private nonprofit services. School districts are required to consult with PNPs prior to deducting administration costs from the equitable services amount.

ESSA Equitable Services Documents

91�ȱ� has developed the following forms for districts to use in complying with the ESSA equitable services requirement.

Affirmation of Consultation with PNP School Officials

In accordance with the requirements of ESSA, districts and eligible PNPs must collaborate to complete the following Affirmation of Consultation forms, as applicable, and submit them to 91�ȱ�. Instructions for completing and submitting the forms are also linked below, in addition to the sections of ESSA that specify the PNP consultation requirements.

For 2024-2025:

For 2023-2024:

For 2022-2023:

91�ȱ� Procedure for Offering PNP Equitable Services Upon Request

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to meet the ESSA requirements when a participating private nonprofit school files a complaint against the school district and requests the state to provide its equitable services under ESSA programs, and the ombudsman substantiates the validity of the complaint. [ESSA Sections 1117(b)(6)(A-C) and 8501(c)(6)(A-C)].

91�ȱ� Procedure for Offering PNP Equitable Services

PNP Complaint Forms

The following resources are available in English and Spanish to private school officials and other stakeholders who believe that the ESSA and CARES Act ESSER��equitable services requirement has been violated:

ESSA PNP Complaints and Procedures (English)
ESSA PNP Complaint Form��(English)
Procedimientos de cómo presentar quejas (��貹ñ�Ǳ�)
Formulario para Quejas: Servicios Equitativos (��貹ñ�Ǳ�)

Approval of Participant Support Costs

Under ESSA equitable services to PNPs that are required, and therefore allowable, under federal program statute include registration and travel costs for PNP staff participating in allowable professional development activities. The direct cost of providing training, including travel to professional conferences and any registration fees, meets the

School districts that expend federal grant funds on the provision of equitable services must complete the Request for Approval of Participant Support Costs: Private School Equitable Services form. The district must print the completed form and maintain the printed copy as documentation of the required approval for expenditure of federal grant funds on participant support costs. This documentation must be provided to auditors and monitors upon request.

PNP Ombudsman

Texas has designated an ombudsman to monitor and enforce equitable services requirements under Title I, Part A and Title VIII of ESSA. The ombudsman serves as the state’s primary point of contact for addressing questions and concerns from private school officials and local school districts.

PNP Complaints and Procedures

91�ȱ�'s PNP ombudsman addresses alleged violations of the ESSA equitable services requirement. Refer to the PNP Complaint Forms section above for links to the complaint procedures and forms in both English and Spanish.

Refer to for the statutory description of the complaint process.

Private School Equitable Services Workgroup

91�ȱ� has established the Private School Equitable Services Workgroup to fulfill part of the PNP ombudsman responsibilities. This group is made up of school district representatives, education service center (ESC) representatives, and PNP school representatives.

Workgroup Roles and Duties

As described in this overview of its role and duties, the Private School Equitable Services Workgroup reviews equitable services requirements such as monitoring protocols, complaint procedures, and the process for requesting the state provide equitable services. The group also provides input on the types of support needed for equitable services.

Federal Statute, Guidance, and Resources

The following links lead to federal statute and guidance describing the ESSA requirements for the provision of equitable services to private nonprofit schools (PNPs).

. (ESSA Statute)
. (ESSA Statute)
(Updated, May 17, 2023)
- (May 2023)
(Updated, July 17, 2023)
- (July 2023)
(Selected Chapters Revised Guidance, March 2017)
- Equitable Services requirements in Section V, "Serving migrant children who attend private schools"
��(July 2015)
Non-Regulatory Guidance: Fiscal Changes and Equitable Services Requirements Under the ESEA of 1965, as Amended by the ESSA (Nov 2016)
��(August 2019)

For more information on ESSA refer to the��.

Capacity Building Initiative

91�ȱ� collaborates��with��ESC 20 for the grant. Part of the work for the CBI is to assist with the PNP implementation requirements.�� In this capacity, CBI provides information and resources on our behalf. CBI is also a participant in Private School Equitable Services Workgroup meetings.

��

��Print