Overview

THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT (P.L. 107-110)
Participation of private school students and teachers

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA), which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), requires the equitable participation of private school students and teachers in many federal education programs authorized through the act. The following chart provides a brief summary of the services available through each program in NCLBA that requires this equitable participation. For a more detailed description of each program, consult the summary brochure on the participation of private school students and teachers in NCLBA. The complete text of NCLBA is also available at www.ed.gov/nclb.

NCLBA Program
Services

TITLE I: Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged

Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies Provides supplemental educational services to educationally disadvantaged students to support the students' instructional program in the regular classroom.
Part B: Student Reading Skills Improvement Grants

Subpart 1: Reading First

Supports activities such as reading and literacy programs, program and instructional assessments; professional development; and data collection and reporting.
Part B: Student Reading Skills Improvement Grants

Subpart 3: William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program

Provides grants to a variety of entities that support family literacy programs to assist parents of children ages birth through 7 to help their children reach their full potential as learners. Grants are targeted to high-need areas, such as areas with high levels of poverty, illiteracy, limited English proficiency, or unemployment.
Part C: Education of Migratory Children Supports educational programs for migratory children to help reduce the educational disruptions and other problems that result from repeated moves.

TITLE II: Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals

Part A: Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund Supports professional development and teacher recruiting efforts. Private school teachers may participate only in professional development activities, which may include training in innovative teaching strategies, integrating technology into the curriculum, and teaching students with different learning styles and special needs.
Part B: Math and Science Partnerships Provides grants to partnerships to support such activities as summer institutes for mathematics and science teachers, training in curriculum development and increased subject matter knowledge; and stipends or scholarships to obtain alternative certification or advanced course work.
Part D: Enhancing Education through Technology Supports activities such as professional development in the use of educational technology, and the acquisition of educational hardware, software, and technology.

TITLE III: Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient
and Immigrant Students

Part A: Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act Supports activities for the provision of language instruction programs, professional development, and the creation of community and family participation programs to assist students with limited English proficiency.

TITLE IV: 21st Century Schools

Part A: Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Supports drug, violence, and suicide prevention programs; mentoring programs; professional counseling; security services; and parental involvement programs.
Part B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers Supports the creation of after-school or summer programs providing academic enrichment and a wide variety of other programs for students and families in high-poverty areas.
TITLE V: Promoting Informed Parental Choice and Innovative Programs
Part A: Innovative Programs Supports a wide variety of activities, including professional development, technology activities, purchase of instructional and educational materials such as library materials or computer hardware or software, programs for educationally disadvantaged students or for gifted students, literacy programs for adults, parental and community involvement activities, community service and service learning programs, programs to hire and support school nurses, mental health and counseling programs, consumer education, pre-kindergarten programs, CPR training, alternative education programs for students suspended or expelled, and school safety programs.
Part D, Subpart 6: Gifted and Talented Students Provides grants to a variety of entities to support activities designed to meet the educational needs of gifted and talented students.

TITLE VI: Flexibility and Accountability (New program)

Title VI provides several programs that make it possible for state and local educational agencies to transfer federal education program funds allocated for one purpose to other purposes authorized by NCLBA. Importantly, whether the state or local district takes advantage of the ability to transfer funds or receives a special authorization for additional flexibility, the obligation to provide equitable services to private and religious school students and teachers remains. State and local school districts must consult with private school officials prior to making any decisions that could impact the ability of private and religious school students and teachers to benefit from programs under NCLBA in which they would otherwise be eligible to participate.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
NCLBA Issue Brochures NCLBA Program Brochures
For more information, contact:
Department of Education
U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
PH: 202/541-3132
FAX: 202/541-3390
E-mail: federal@usccb.org
Office of NonPublic Education
U. S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-3600
PH: 202/401-1365
FAX: 202/401-1368
Web: www.ed.gov/offices/OIIA/NonPublic



Email us at catholiceducation@usccb.org
Secretariat of Catholic Education | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3132 © USCCB. All rights reserved.





Email us at CatholicEducation@usccb.org
Secretariat of Catholic Education | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3132 © USCCB. All rights reserved.