Providing a private, non-public K-12 education is expensive. Thankfully, there is a source of funds available to every private school – including faith-based schools – that provides professional development for teachers and principals, supplemental academic support for struggling and disabled students, a safe and healthy learning environment, and internet access. All told, the federal government provides more than $3 billion in funds for private schools, but unfortunately, the funds that private school educators leave on the table may total as much as $500 million annually.

For the first time in its history, FACTS Elevate will include sessions for private school leaders on these federal programs that support private schools, including the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and E-Rate. The Alternative Sources of Funding track will focus on the updated facts about the availability and accessibility of these funds, as well as the steps private school leaders can take to ensure an equitable portion of these federal funds are directed to their private school. If you are looking for more funds to support your private school, this is where you want to be.

Sessions in this track include:

  • ESSA Title I: This workshop will provide school leaders with a foundational understanding of how private schools can access and use approximately $1.5 billion of Title I funds for the benefit of their students, teachers, and parents.
  • ESSA Title II: This workshop will provide information on how private school teachers and leaders can access more than $200 million of professional development funds to improve their education craft.
  • ESSA Title III: Learn how Title III can help ensure that English learners, including immigrant children and youth, attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement and assist teachers (including preschool teachers), administrators, and other school leaders in developing and enhancing their capacity to provide effective instructional programs.
  • ESSA Title IV: Learn how to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing a school’s capacity to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education, improve school conditions for student learning, and improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement of all students.
  • IDEA:  This workshop will provide private school leaders with information related to, and benefits available to, children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private schools.   
  • E-Rate: The universal service Schools and Libraries Program, commonly known as “E-Rate,” provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access. Participants will learn how to annually apply and receive financial support for their internet.    
  • Consultation with the LEA: The ESSA law requires public school districts to reach out to private school officials to explain the programs and services made available through ESSA and to invite the participation of private school students and educators. Participants of this workshop will learn how to maximize the time spent with public school leaders.
  • Determining the Amount of Title I Funds for a Private School: The amount of Title I funding allocated to a private school is determined by a formula that is weighted by the incidence of poverty. This workshop will provide school leaders with information regarding which formula will provide the most benefit to their private school.
  • Building a Comprehensive, Schoolwide PD Plan: Title II funds will be used by more private schools than any of the other ESSA programs. Intended to provide teachers, administrators, and other educational leaders with opportunities to participate in a range of professional development activities that will ultimately benefit students, it is highly recommended that all private schools build a comprehensive PD plan for use of Title II funds. Focused around increasing content knowledge or effective instructional practices, this workshop will help private school leaders build a draft, three-year PD plan that may be presented to their LEA for approval of Title II funds usage.
  • Title I Summer School/After School: There are many other ways in which Title I programs can be implemented in private schools, including a summer school Program or an after school This workshop will provide private school leaders with all the information and tools to build their own summer school or after school program, funded by their Title I allocation.
  • ESSA and the Roles of the LEA/Third-Party Provider: Implementing Title I and Title II can be complicated, if not tricky. This workshop will be an open and honest discussion of the triangulated relationship between the public school district, the private school leadership, and the third party provider…and what is necessary to make the best use of use of ESSA funds.
  • Can Title Funds Pay for This? The wish list of private school leaders is long: STEM labs, after school programs, summer school programs, instructional coaches, computer software, individual tutoring, teacher professional development, academic counselors, and school nurses are but a few ideas that we’ve run across this year. If you have ever wondered if Title I funds can pay for it, this is the workshop for you. Participants will learn what, how, and when Title I funds can pay for programs that support private school students, teachers, and families.

To register for FACTS Elevate and to take advantage of federal funds, visit the conference site. We hope to see you there!