The U.S. Department of Education has issued new guidance to enhance the delivery of equitable services to students enrolled in private schools. This initiative, aimed at state and local education agencies (LEAs), seeks to ensure that students receiving federally funded services have access to the same educational supports as their peers in public schools. The guidance, detailed in a Dear Colleague Letter, emphasizes the importance of creating efficient processes for delivering these services under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Improving Access to Federal Educational Supports
Under Title I-A of the ESEA, low-achieving students who live in public school attendance areas but attend private schools are entitled to various federally funded services. These services can include one-on-one tutoring, summer school programs, counseling, and other interventions aimed at enhancing academic performance. Notably, while private schools do not receive Title I-A funds directly, it is the responsibility of LEAs to facilitate these services for eligible students and teachers.
“Federal taxpayer dollars should support the best educational outcomes for students regardless of where they attend school,” said Hayley Sanon, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Department’s commitment to expanding educational choice is evident in this guidance, aiming to ensure that private school students have access to the necessary services that meet their unique learning needs.
Collaboration and Coordination Among Agencies
Since its enactment in 1965, the ESEA has allowed private school students and teachers to participate in federally sponsored educational programs. The intent of these funds is to benefit children rather than institutions, ensuring that eligible private school students receive Title I-A services similarly to their public school counterparts. The new guidance encourages LEAs to work closely with private school officials to ensure that resources are directed toward the students who need them most.
Section 1117 of ESEA mandates that LEAs receiving Title I funds design equitable service programs in consultation with private school representatives. These programs must remain secular, neutral, and nonideological, while focusing on improving academic outcomes. Furthermore, for students attending the same private school but residing in different LEAs, state educational agencies (SEAs) are encouraged to facilitate collaboration among districts. This approach aims to streamline the delivery of services, reducing administrative burdens on families and educators.
This guidance is part of a broader effort by the Department to expand educational choice and improve flexibility in federal education programs. In 2025, the Department has issued several directives, including those focused on Direct Student Services and provisions for Persistently Dangerous and Unsafe Schools. The latest guidance reiterates the Department’s goal of ensuring greater access to federally funded educational services for all eligible children, regardless of school type.
By promoting collaboration between public and private educational sectors, the Department aims to maximize the effectiveness of federal taxpayer dollars and deliver high-quality learning opportunities to students. This initiative reflects a commitment to improving educational outcomes and providing equitable services to all students, regardless of their school affiliation.