ED Updates Guidance for Non-Regulatory Use of Title I

In an effort to align current Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) regulations with existing guidance, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has published Serving Preschool Children through Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as Amended. This non-regulatory guidance offers ways in which state and local education authorities can develop alternative approaches to expanding preschool programs supported by Title I. Although children with disabilities are eligible to participate on the same basis as those without disabilities, the report clarifies that a local education authority (LEA) or school is allowed to determine priority needs in instances of limited funding. Page 11 states, “An LEA or a school may decide, for example, that English learners have the greatest need for preschool services in order to learn English prior to entering school or that among the Title I eligible children, those children experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, or children with disabilities may have the greatest need.” The guidance lists several items related to children with disabilities and their parents. The inclusion of parents, including those with disabilities, must be considered when implementing family engagement requirements. Title I services may also be provided for Title I eligible children in need who do not qualify for Head Start or for whom insufficient Head Start resources are available. LEAs may also access Medicaid-covered health and medical services for Medicaid-enrolled children with disabilities. 

For detailed information, access the full report guidance here.