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Eligibility for Participation in
Federal Programs
WHY ARE NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS?
Links to Federal Policy RegulationsNCLB LegislationNCLB Regulations |
It’s the law. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires that local school districts engage in “timely and meaningful” consultation with appropriate nonpublic school representatives in order to administer benefits through programs funded through NCLB. In Maryland nonpublic schools include church exempt schools and nonpublic schools that are approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
This consultation requirement includes grants that are funded directly from the federal government, as well as grants from the Maryland State agencies that are distributing federal funding (such as Title II and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers).
WHAT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO NONPUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS?
Federal education programs that are funded by NCLB usually fall into two categories: (1) formula grant programs and (2) competitive grant programs.
FORMULA FUNDING is based on a formula that is defined in the law. The formula is based on U.S. Census data and includes both public and nonpublic school children in each county. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must consult with nonpublic school officials in their district to determine how students and teachers will receive services through these programs.
Link to Information on Programs that Include Nonpublic ParticipationTable listing programsMSDE program coordinators* |
COMPETETIVE FUNDING: LEAs and other eligible entities, such as Institutions of Higher Education and community-based organizations, can apply on a competitive basis for competitive grant funding. The LEA decides whether to apply for competitive grant funding. If the LEA applies for a competitive grant program that requires equitable nonpublic participation, the LEA must inform the nonpublic schools about its intent to submit a proposal and consult with those nonpublic school representatives who have indicated an interest in participating.
There are three ways to include nonpublic schools in competative grant funding:
- Nonpublic schools may participate as co-applicants in a partnership or consortia project.
- If a nonpublic is not a co-applicant, but wants to participate in the grant, the LEA must provide services equitably to students and teachers at the nonpublic school if it is located in the geographic region or school attendance area that is targeted by the grant applicants (i.e. the LEA).
- In some instances, nonpublic schools may apply directly as a grant applicant.
