§6320 — Title 20 Education | U.S. Code

§6320 Participation of children enrolled in private schools

Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 70— - STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE DISADVANTAGED › Part Part A— - Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies › Subpart subpart 1— - basic program requirements › § 6320

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Local school districts must give eligible students who attend private elementary and secondary schools a fair share of services and supports that meet their needs. After timely, meaningful talks with private school leaders, the district must offer things like special education help, instruction and testing, counseling, mentoring, one‑on‑one tutoring, technology or other benefits (such as dual enrollment), and include teachers and families in related activities. Those services must be secular, neutral, and non‑political. A state education agency must name an ombudsman to watch for fair treatment. The money for private‑school services is a proportional share based on how many low‑income private school children there are, is calculated from the district’s total funds before transfers, must be obligated in the fiscal year received, and the state must tell private schools what funds are available. The district can decide the share every year or every 2 years, and can provide services itself or hire others under public control and supervision. The district must consult with private school officials while designing programs and try to reach agreement. Consultation must cover how needs are found, what services will be offered, who will provide them and when and where, how they will be measured, how the funding share is figured, data methods, use of contractors, and whether funds will be pooled or handled by attendance area. Meetings must happen before any decision that affects private‑school students and continue during implementation. The district must keep a signed written statement from each participating private school saying consultation occurred (schools may say it did not). Private school officials can complain to the state if talks were not meaningful, timely, or did not treat students equitably; the state can step in to provide services if requested and if the district failed to meet the rules. The district has final authority to count low‑income private‑school children ages 5 through 17, using the same measures as public schools, a survey, an attendance‑area percent, or an equivalent measure, and disputes follow the state complaint process. Funds and materials bought with these federal funds must stay under a public agency, and any providers must be independent of the private school and supervised by the public agency. If a district is legally blocked from providing these services or refuses to do so, the U.S. Secretary of Education may waive the district’s role and arrange services directly, considering program quality, size, scope, location, and students’ opportunity to participate.

Title 20, §6320

Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)To the extent consistent with the number of eligible children identified under section 6315(c) of this title in the school district served by a local educational agency who are enrolled in private elementary schools and secondary schools, a local educational agency shall—

(A)after timely and meaningful consultation with appropriate private school officials, provide such children, on an equitable basis and individually or in combination, as requested by the officials to best meet the needs of such children, special educational services, instructional services (including evaluations to determine the progress being made in meeting such students’ academic needs), counseling, mentoring, one-on-one tutoring, or other benefits under this part (such as dual or concurrent enrollment, educational radio and television, computer equipment and materials, other technology, and mobile educational services and equipment) that address their needs; and

(B)ensure that teachers and families of the children participate, on an equitable basis, in services and activities developed pursuant to section 6318 of this title.

(2)Such educational services or other benefits, including materials and equipment, shall be secular, neutral, and nonideological.

(3)(A)Educational services and other benefits for such private school children shall be equitable in comparison to services and other benefits for public school children participating under this part, and shall be provided in a timely manner.

(B)To help ensure such equity for such private school children, teachers, and other educational personnel, the State educational agency involved shall designate an ombudsman to monitor and enforce the requirements of this part.

(4)(A)(i)Expenditures for educational services and other benefits to eligible private school children shall be equal to the proportion of funds allocated to participating school attendance areas based on the number of children from low-income families who attend private schools.

(ii)The proportional share of funds shall be determined based on the total amount of funds received by the local educational agency under this part prior to any allowable expenditures or transfers by the local educational agency.

(B)Funds allocated to a local educational agency for educational services and other benefits to eligible private school children shall be obligated in the fiscal year for which the funds are received by the agency.

(C)Each State educational agency shall provide notice in a timely manner to the appropriate private school officials in the State of the allocation of funds for educational services and other benefits under this part that the local educational agencies have determined are available for eligible private school children.

(D)The local educational agency may determine the equitable share under subparagraph (A) each year or every 2 years.

(5)The local educational agency, or, in a case described in subsection (b)(6)(C), the State educational agency involved, may provide services under this section directly or through contracts with public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions.

(b)(1)To ensure timely and meaningful consultation, a local educational agency shall consult with appropriate private school officials during the design and development of such agency’s programs under this part. Such agency and private school officials shall both have the goal of reaching agreement on how to provide equitable and effective programs for eligible private school children, the results of which agreement shall be transmitted to the ombudsman designated under subsection (a)(3)(B). Such process shall include consultation on issues such as—

(A)how the children’s needs will be identified;

(B)what services will be offered;

(C)how, where, and by whom the services will be provided;

(D)how the services will be academically assessed and how the results of that assessment will be used to improve those services;

(E)the size and scope of the equitable services to be provided to the eligible private school children, the proportion of funds that is allocated under subsection (a)(4)(A) for such services, and how that proportion of funds is determined;

(F)the method or sources of data that are used under subsection (c) and section 6313(c)(1) of this title to determine the number of children from low-income families in participating school attendance areas who attend private schools;

(G)how and when the agency will make decisions about the delivery of services to such children, including a thorough consideration and analysis of the views of the private school officials on the provision of services through a contract with potential third-party providers;

(H)how, if the agency disagrees with the views of the private school officials on the provision of services through a contract, the local educational agency will provide in writing to such private school officials an analysis of the reasons why the local educational agency has chosen not to use a contractor;

(I)whether the agency shall provide services directly or through a separate government agency, consortium, entity, or third-party contractor;

(J)whether to provide equitable services to eligible private school children—

(i)by creating a pool or pools of funds with all of the funds allocated under subsection (a)(4)(A) based on all the children from low-income families in a participating school attendance area who attend private schools; or

(ii)in the agency’s participating school attendance area who attend private schools with the proportion of funds allocated under subsection (a)(4)(A) based on the number of children from low-income families who attend private schools;

(K)when, including the approximate time of day, services will be provided; and

(L)whether to consolidate and use funds provided under subsection (a)(4) in coordination with eligible funds available for services to private school children under applicable programs, as defined in section 7881(b)(1) of this title 11 So in original. A comma probably should appear. to provide services to eligible private school children participating in programs.

(2)If a local educational agency disagrees with the views of private school officials with respect to an issue described in paragraph (1), the local educational agency shall provide in writing to such private school officials the reasons why the local educational agency disagrees.

(3)Such consultation shall include meetings of agency and private school officials and shall occur before the local educational agency makes any decision that affects the opportunities of eligible private school children to participate in programs under this part. Such meetings shall continue throughout implementation and assessment of services provided under this section.

(4)Such consultation shall include a discussion of service delivery mechanisms a local educational agency can use to provide equitable services to eligible private school children.

(5)Each local educational agency shall maintain in the agency’s records and provide to the State educational agency involved a written affirmation signed by officials of each participating private school that the meaningful consultation required by this section has occurred. The written affirmation shall provide the option for private school officials to indicate such officials’ belief that timely and meaningful consultation has not occurred or that the program design is not equitable with respect to eligible private school children. If such officials do not provide such affirmation within a reasonable period of time, the local educational agency shall forward the documentation that such consultation has, or attempts at such consultation have, taken place to the State educational agency.

(6)(A)A private school official shall have the right to file a complaint with the State educational agency asserting that the local educational agency did not engage in consultation that was meaningful and timely, did not give due consideration to the views of the private school official, or did not make a decision that treats the private school students equitably as required by this section.

(B)If the private school official wishes to file a complaint, the official shall provide the basis of the noncompliance with this section by the local educational agency to the State educational agency, and the local educational agency shall forward the appropriate documentation to the State educational agency.

(C)A State educational agency shall provide services under this section directly or through contracts with public or private agencies, organizations, or institutions, if the appropriate private school officials have—

(i)requested that the State educational agency provide such services directly; and

(ii)demonstrated that the local educational agency involved has not met the requirements of this section in accordance with the procedures for making such a request, as prescribed by the State educational agency.

(c)(1)A local educational agency shall have the final authority, consistent with this section, to calculate the number of children, ages 5 through 17, who are from low-income families and attend private schools by—

(A)using the same measure of low income used to count public school children;

(B)using the results of a survey that, to the extent possible, protects the identity of families of private school students, and allowing such survey results to be extrapolated if complete actual data are unavailable;

(C)applying the low-income percentage of each participating public school attendance area, determined pursuant to this section, to the number of private school children who reside in that school attendance area; or

(D)using an equated measure of low income correlated with the measure of low income used to count public school children.

(2)Any dispute regarding low-income data for private school students shall be subject to the complaint process authorized in section 7883 of this title.

(d)(1)The control of funds provided under this part, and title to materials, equipment, and property purchased with such funds, shall be in a public agency, and a public agency shall administer such funds, materials, equipment, and property.

(2)(A)The provision of services under this section shall be provided—

(i)by employees of a public agency; or

(ii)through contract by such public agency with an individual, association, agency, or organization.

(B)In the provision of such services, such employee, individual, association, agency, or organization shall be independent of such private school and of any religious organization, and such employment or contract shall be under the control and supervision of such public agency.

(e)If a local educational agency is prohibited by law from providing for the participation in programs on an equitable basis of eligible children enrolled in private elementary schools and secondary schools, or if the Secretary determines that a local educational agency has substantially failed or is unwilling, to provide for such participation, as required by this section, the Secretary shall—

(1)waive the requirements of this section for such local educational agency;

(2)arrange for the provision of services to such children through arrangements that shall be subject to the requirements of this section and section 7883 and 7884 of this title; and

(3)in making the determination under this subsection, consider one or more factors, including the quality, size, scope, and location of the program and the opportunity of eligible children to participate.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6320, Pub. L. 89–10, title I, § 1119, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3555, related to professional development, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110. A prior section 1117 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 6317 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 114–95. Another prior section 1117 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 6318 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(1)(A), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “To the extent consistent with the number of eligible children identified under section 6315(b) of this title in the school district served by a local educational agency who are enrolled in private elementary schools and secondary schools, a local educational agency shall, after timely and meaningful consultation with appropriate private school officials, provide such children, on an equitable basis, special educational services or other benefits under this part (such as dual enrollment, educational radio and television, computer equipment and materials, other technology, and mobile educational services and equipment) that address their needs, and shall ensure that teachers and families of the children participate, on an equitable basis, in services and activities developed pursuant to section 6318 and 6319 of this title.” Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(1)(B), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Educational services and other benefits for such private school children shall be equitable in comparison to services and other benefits for public school children participating under this part, and shall be provided in a timely manner.” Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(1)(C), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Expenditures for educational services and other benefits to eligible private school children shall be equal to the proportion of funds allocated to participating school attendance areas based on the number of children from low-income families who attend private schools, which the local educational agency may determine each year or every 2 years.” Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(1)(D), inserted “, or, in a case described in subsection (b)(6)(C), the State educational agency involved,” after “local educational agency”. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(A)(i), in introductory provisions, substituted “part. Such agency and private school officials shall both have the goal of reaching agreement on how to provide equitable and effective programs for eligible private school children, the results of which agreement shall be transmitted to the ombudsman designated under subsection (a)(3)(B). Such process shall include consultation on issues such as—” for “part, on issues such as—”. Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(A)(ii), struck out “and” before “the proportion of funds”, substituted “(a)(4)(A)” for “(a)(4)”, and inserted “, and how that proportion of funds is determined” before semicolon at end. Subsec. (b)(1)(I) to (L). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(A)(iii)–(v), added subpars. (I) to (L). Subsec. (b)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(B), (C), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively. Former par. (4) redesignated (5). Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(B), (D), redesignated par. (4) as (5), inserted “meaningful” before “consultation” in first sentence, inserted second sentence, and substituted “such consultation has, or attempts at such consultation have, taken place” for “such consultation has taken place” in last sentence. Former par. (5) redesignated (6). Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(B), redesignated par. (5) as (6). Subsec. (b)(6)(A). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(E)(i), substituted “right to file a complaint with” for “right to complain to”, inserted “asserting” after “State educational agency”, struck out “or” before “did not give due consideration”, and inserted “, or did not make a decision that treats the private school students equitably as required by this section” before period at end. Subsec. (b)(6)(B). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(E)(ii), substituted “wishes to file a complaint,” for “wishes to complain,”. Subsec. (b)(6)(C). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(2)(E)(iii), added subpar. (C). Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(3), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7883 of this title. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 114–95, § 1011(4), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7883 and 7884 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2015 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 114–95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as a note under section 6301 of this title.