ASBO International is continuing to advocate on the equitable services issue pertaining to CARES Act funding to states, districts, and schools.
Please read our latest legislative blog for updates on the Department of Education's (ED) plans to formalize its flawed guidance into regulation, and the financial implications for public schools, since
this rule would steer millions of COVID-19 financial aid dollars away from public schools to private schools if it goes unchallenged.
We encourage ASBO members to advocate to their elected officials to oppose ED's guidance and ask Congress to provide a legislative fix in the next COVID-19 stimulus relief package. Please feel free to use
the template letter in our prior alert to communicate the financial impact that ED's guidance would have on your schools and
contact ASBO staff if you have any questions or need assistance.
------------------------------
ASBO USA
asbousa@asbointl.org------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-12-2020 12:43
From: ASBO USA
Subject: Advocacy: CARES Act Equitable Services for Non-Public Schools
ASBO International is working with AASA, The School Superintendents Association on an advocacy opportunity regarding the Department of Education's (ED) recent guidance issued on Providing Equitable Services to Students and Teachers in Non-Public Schools Under the CARES Act.
Please consider writing your members of Congress to let them know this suggested method of calculation is flawed and inequitable for students. (A template letter is attached.)
ED's guidance advises school districts to calculate the proportionate share of CARES Act equitable services to non-public schools based on overall enrollment rather than based on poverty rates in the non-public schools. This would significantly increase the share of federal funding available to private schools beyond what they would have received according to what CARES statute intended. For example, in Indiana, the guidance would triple the amount of funding available to support private schools compared to using the typical Title I process for calculating equitable services. This guidance, if enacted, will actually worsen student inequities in education, so please let Congress know.
If you need assistance with contacting your members of Congress or have any questions, please email us. For more background information on this issue, please read AASA's blog and this District Administration news article.
------------------------------
ASBO USA
asbousa@asbointl.org
------------------------------