Essa Comparability of Services

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RECOMMENDS

That the Board rescind the policy on No Child Left Behind (“NCLB”) Title I Comparability of Services and adopt a new policy on Every Student Succeeds Act (“ESSA”) Comparability of Services.

HISTORY

In 2004, the Board adopted Board Report 04-0623-PO2, the Policy on NCLB Comparability of Services, in order to comply with the Comparability of Services provisions in NCLB. In 2015, NCLB was repealed and ESSA was enacted. ESSA incorporated Comparability of Services provisions previously found in NCLB.

PURPOSE

In order to comply with ESSA, the Board must ensure that the services provided to schools that receive ESSA Title I funds are comparable to the services in schools that are not receiving Title I funds

POLICY TEXT

• The Board must provide equivalent educational and supplemental support services among all Title I and Non-Title I schools.
• In order to demonstrate compliance with I above, the Board will conduct an annual comparability analysis utilizing indicators specified by the Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”).
• The Board authorizes the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) or designee to develop guidelines to ensure compliance with the Comparability of Services provision in ESSA and this policy.
• The Board will maintain records that are updated, documenting compliance with the Comparability of Services provision in ESSA and this policy, in accordance with guidance provided by ISBE.

The Board shall, as required, provide written assurance to the ISBE that it has complied, and will continue to comply, with the equivalence requirements set out in Section 6321(c)(2)(A) of ESSA (20 U.S.C. § 6321(c)(2)(A)).