Private School Newsletter | January 2016
Private School Annual Survey
Thank you to the private schools that have already submitted the Private School Annual Survey for the 2015-2016
school year! If you have not already completed the Annual Survey, please visit the School Choice website as soon as
possible. Submitting a Private School Annual Survey is one of the requirements outlined in Section 1002.42(2)(b),
Florida Statutes, which states in part:
"Each private school shall annually execute and file a database survey form on a date designated by the
Department of Education."
We encourage you to complete the Annual Survey for the 2015-2016 school year and take advantage of the benefits
which include:
• Being listed in the Directory of Private Schools, where parents can access and view
your school's information;
• Serving as the first step in applying to participate in the scholarship programs;
• Receiving timely updates on federal initiatives or changes affecting private schools;
• Allowing eligible students in your school to qualify for a Bright Future’s Scholarship; and
• Receiving informational updates from the Florida Department of Education on issues or
requirements affecting private schools including IDEA, Title II, attendance
requirements, retention of records, and student immunizations.
Please visit the School Choice website at www.floridaschoolchoice.org, click on "Private School Annual Survey,”
https://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/login/login_private_school.asp, log-in using your four-digit school code and
password, and complete your Annual Survey. The surveys must then be printed, signed, notarized, and mailed to the
Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice by May 1, 2016 in order to be included in the Directory of Private
Schools.
The failure of any institution to submit the annual database survey form and notarized statement of compliance with the
fingerprinting and criminal background provisions of Section 1002.42(c), Florida Statutes, shall be judged a
misdemeanor. Submission of data for a nonexistent school or an institution providing no instruction or training, the
purpose of which is to defraud the public, is unlawful and the person or persons responsible commit a misdemeanor of
the second degree, punishable as provided in Section 775.082, or Section 775.083, Florida Statutes. Persons owning
or operating a private school found to have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude commit a misdemeanor
of the first degree, punishable as provided in Section 775.082, or Section 775.083, Florida Statutes.
Bright Futures Scholarship Program
A New Generation of Bright Futures Students
Before a Florida private high school is permitted to submit student transcripts for a Bright Futures evaluation, the school
is required to be registered with the Florida Department of Education. Once your school completes the survey, your
students will be able to select your school on their Florida Financial Aid Application, and authorized staff w ill be
provided Bright Futures and State Student Financial Aid Database (SSFAD) security logons to facilitate transcript
submissions.
The 2016-17 Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) opened December 1, 2015, for 2015-16 high school graduates,
who must apply by high school graduation. Students who will graduate mid-year (December) of the 2015-16 academic
year and desire funding for spring term 2017 must apply by August 31, 2016. The FFAA closes August 31, 2016.
After first semester grades are awarded, “Practice 2016 Early Evaluation” should be submitted within 30 days with
courses in progress. After edits are complete, “Practice…” should be transferred to “Early 2016 Production“.
Tools and Contacts
See below for locations where you can find the tools that will help you, your students, and their parents stay informed
about the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program website: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/
2016 High School Graduates Florida Bright Futures Scholarship brochure:
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/pdf/bf_brochure.pdf
Counselor Training and Resources:
E-Learning Programs, Training Manuals for Self-Study, Webinar registration and PowerPoint presentations are
available for high school counselors on the website www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org/SSFAD/bf/hsguid.htm.
Select the Help tab.
Bright Futures and SSFAD security contact information:
OSFASecurit[email protected], or toll-free at 1-888-827-2004
Private School Closure
When a private school shuts down, or has no students, it is required to transfer all permanent student records to the
superintendent of the public school district in which it was located. If a member of a private school system or
association, the school may transfer records to the principal office of the system or association. The school should then
notify the Department of Education of the date of transfer of student records, the location of storage, the custodian of
such records, and the number of records to be stored. The department acts as a clearinghouse and maintains a registry
of transfers of student records.
It is not the intent of the Legislature to limit or restrict the use or possession of any student records while a school is
operational, but to facilitate access to academic records by former students seeking to continue their education or
training after a private school has become defunct. (Section 1002.42, F.S.)
School choice means giving moms and dads the opportunity to select the best K-12 education environments for their
individual kids. Celebrate National School Choice Week January 24-30, 2016! For more information, visit:
http://schoolchoiceweek.com/
Immunization Requirements for Children Entering or Attending Childcare,
Family Daycare, Preschool and/or School
Students in Florida public schools and private schools must meet minimum health readiness and immunization
requirements. Requirements are determined by grade level.
School immunization and readiness information is posted at: http://www.floridahealth.gov/healthy-people-and-
families/childrens-health/school-health/enrollment.html
Please call the Department of Health, School Health Services Program, at (850) 245-4475 for more information.
Apply to Administer the Florida State Assessment (FSA)
Any participating scholarship school with at least one Florida Tax Credit or Personal Learning Scholarship Account
student enrolled may have the opportunity to apply and participate in administering the FSA and/or the Florida End-of-
Course Assessments to all students at your private school. The application to participate along with Frequently Asked
Questions has been released, via links available through your secured log-in. The application window opened on
January 2, and will close on March 1, 2016, with school eligibility determinations finalized in August 2016. Please visit
http://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/
end-of-course-eoc-assessments/private-schools/ for more information.
Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Program
As you know, the state of Florida offers three scholarship programs. In addition to the McKay Scholarship Program and
the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program, the Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts (PLSA) program was
established in 2014 to provide parents the option to better meet the individual needs of their eligible children. Private
schools that are eligible for McKay and/or FTC are also eligible to participate in PLSA. If your school would like to
participate in the program, you may submit a request electronically from the private school homepage when logged in to
our website. Parents can use the private schools directory, also on our website, to search for schools that participate in
PLSA.
More information on PLSA and eligible scholarship funding organizations is available on our website at
http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/plsa/.
Bullying Prevention
Bullying in schools is of increasing focus for Florida public and private schools, districts, and for the Florida Department
of Education.
Florida Statute 1006.147, also known as The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, requires Florida public
school districts to adopt an official policy prohibiting bullying and harassment of students and staff on school grounds, at
school-sponsored events, and through school computer networks.
Please visit http://www.fldoe.org/safeschools/bullying.asp for more information.
Just for Parents
The mission of the Bureau of Family and Community Outreach is to empower families and communities with resources
and information needed to promote a high quality education for their children. The Bureau reaches out to serve
Florida's diverse families and communities in a number of ways, including the Just for Parents online community. We
encourage you to participate in their online community and hope you will share this resource with your families and
friends. http://www.fldoe.org/family/
Private Schools and Title I
Under Title I, Part A, local education agencies (LEAs) are required to provide services to eligible private school
students, staff who instruct these students, and their parents. The scope of the Title I services provided to private
schools must be equitable (not necessarily identical) to those provided in public schools.
Title I provides supplementary instruction to private school students who are most at risk of failing to meet high
academic standards and who live in Title I attendance areas.
Instruction may take place before or after school, in the summer, or during the school day. Title I services may be
provided on site at a private school, including religiously affiliated schools, or at other locations by public school
teachers or through a third-party contractor. Services must be secular, neutral, and non-ideological. Services may
include books, materials, and equipment necessary to implement the Title I program, extended-day services, summer
programs, Saturday programs, counseling programs, and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) with non-instructional
computer technicians who supervise computer labs, maintain discipline, and escort students to and from class.
Funding for Title I services is based on the number of private school students from low-income families who reside in
Title I public school attendance areas. To receive services, a student must live in a Title I attendance area and have
been identified as failing or at risk of failing academic achievement standards.
LEA officials must meet and consult with appropriate private school officials annually to notify them of the intent and
purpose of Title I and to design the program. Consultation between the LEA and private school officials must occur
before any decision is made that could affect the ability of private school students, teachers, parents and other
instructional staff to receive benefits under Title I. Consultation usually starts in November and/or December in
preparation for the next school year. Consultation is an ongoing process and must be timely and meaningful.
The goal of the consultation process is to design and implement a program that will provide equitable services and
meet the needs of eligible private school students, their teachers, and parents. The consultation must c ontinue
throughout the implementation and assessment of activities. This ongoing process addresses issues such as: timelines,
methods for feedback, data collection, the size and scope of equitable services, the proportion of the Title I funds the
LEA will allocate for services, the identification of eligible private school children’s needs, decisions about the delivery of
services, how, where, and by whom the services will be provided, an assessment of the services, program
improvement, services provided to teachers and families of participating private school children, using a third-party
provider, the complaint process, implementing LEA-wide activities, and a review of polices/procedures related to
ownership of equipment and materials purchased with Title I funds.
Under Title I, Part A, LEAs are required to maintain written affirmations that the required consultation has occurred
annually and was timely and meaningful. These affirmations should be signed by an agency official for each
participating private school.
Fast Facts
Only private schools with an official nonprofit status are eligible for Title I, Part A, services.
Individual students, parents, and teachers that instruct those students are eligible for services, not the private school.
Services are available for Title I private school students’ families and teachers.
LEAs must establish, in consultation with private school officials, multiple educationally related, objective criteria to
identify private school students for Title I services.
The LEA, in consultation with private school officials, must administer the agreed upon program.
The LEA may not delegate responsibility for program planning, design, and implementation to private school officials,
staff, or third-party contractors.
access
making
The teachers who provide private school Title I services must be independent of the private school.
LEAs that hire teachers to provide services must ensure they are highly qualified.
Private schools are not entitled to receive a share of the funds for administrative costs, school and district
improvement activities, or choice with transportation and SES.
Private school services cannot be provided to all students, only academically needy students.
Equipment for eligible private school children cannot be used by other non-participating students.
Please visit http://www.fldoe.org/bsa/, or contact the Bureau of Federal Educational Programs at (850) 245-9939 for
more information.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP)
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food,
Nutrition and W ellness administers Child Nutrition Programs for the State of
Florida. They know that good nutrition is imperative to a child's growth,
development and learning. It is their vision that every child in Florida will have
to a nutritious meal full of fresh fruits and vegetables and will be educated on
healthy choices and the importance of those choices on their life.
Schools with high school grades or under that are public or private nonprofit may
participate in the school lunch program. Schools that choose to take part in the lunch program receive cash subsidies
and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) foods for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve lunch
meals that meet federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced-price lunch meals to eligible children.
Schools can also be reimbursed for snacks served to children through age 18 in afterschool educational or enrichment
programs.
Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the National Sch ool Lunch Program. Currently,
children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Children
from families with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduc ed‐price
meals for which the students can be charged no more than 40 cents. Children from families with incomes over 185
percent of poverty pay a full price, though their meals are still subsidized to some extent. The income levels are
updated by USDA effective July 1. Schools set their own prices for full‐price paid meals but must operate their meal
services as nonprofit programs.
For more information on how to participate in the National School Lunch Program, check out our website or contact us
at the phone number or email address listed below.
Website: http://www.freshforfloridakids.com/Sponsors/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchandSchoolBreakfastProgram/
HowtoApply.aspx
Phone:
Ms. Brenda Dekle, at 1-800-504-6609, Extension 7439
Email:
NSLPprospectivesponsor@freshfromflorida.com
School Certification for the Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
Certification of a school will result in the school being placed on the annual Directory of Designated Low-Income
Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits, a federal list of schools which will then allow certain teache rs currently
repaying a Perkins Loan or a Stafford/FFEL Loan to contact their loan providers and possibly have a portion of their
loan forgiven through the Federal Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers.
The criteria for determining school eligibility for certification are:
Applicants for certification must be registered as a nonprofit private school with the Florida Department of
Education (FLDOE). ;
Private schools must be nonprofit. A copy of IRS correspondence determining the school's Nonprofit Status is
needed with the Private School Eligibility Application form and;
School grades must be Elementary and/or Secondary (K-12);
Schools must determine that 35% or more of their students are considered low income in relation to the total
membership (K-12) of the school* and;
Once you have determined school eligibility and believe the school meets all the above criteria, complete the Nonprofit
Private School Eligibility Application form to request certification. A separate form is needed for each school. You can
submit qualifying information for past years by changing the school year on the form and providing appropriate data for
that year following the same process as for the current application school year. New forms must be completed each
school year.
Visit http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/Information/Private_Schools/assistance_resources/ftlfp.asp for more
information.
NOTE: The Florida Department of Education does NOT make determinations as to teacher loan forgiveness. All
questions about loan reductions need to be made by the teachers to the teacher's loan company and not to the FLDOE.
Information concerning the cancellation or reduction of loans can be found at the following Federal site:
http://www.studentaid.ed.gov.
* Low income determination can be verified through a current NSLP Claim Summary, Florida Tax Credit (FTC)
verification of scholarship student membership, Confidential Family Income Surveys or a combination of two
or more methods
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is defined under Florida law as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a
person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjugation to involuntary
servitude, peonage, debt bondage, slavery, or a commercial sex act. Human trafficking is modern slavery.
There are approximately 30 million people enslaved throughout the world with 2.5 million located right here in the
United States.
Many of these victims are lured with false promises of financial or emotional security; instead, they are forced
or coerced into commercial sex (prostitution), domestic servitude or other types of forced labor.
Any minor under the age of 18 who is induced to perform a commercial sex act is a victim of human trafficking
according to U.S. law, regardless of whether there is force, fraud or coercion. Increasingly, criminal
organizations, such as gangs, are luring children from local schools into commercial sexual exploitation or
trafficking.
How to report
National Human Trafficking Hotline - 1.888.373.7888
Local Law Enforcement - 911
Florida Abuse Hotline - 1.806.96.ABUSE (1.800.962.2873)
US Department of Justice - 1.888.428.7581
Resources
FDOE Child Human Trafficking chapter
Florida Coalition on Human Trafficking
Florida Department of Children and Families
Polaris Project
Statewide Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report
U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Blue Campaign
U.S. Department of Education-Private School Universe Survey (PSS)
With increasing concern about alternatives in education, the interest and need for data on private education has also
increased. The Institute of Education Sciences-National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) has made the
collection of data on private elementary and secondary schools a priority.
The purposes of this data collection activity are; a) to generate biennial data on the total number of private schools,
teachers, and students; and b) to build an accurate and complete list of private schools to serve as a sampling frame for
NCES surveys of private schools.
Information: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/
Private school search: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/
Request Addition of Your School: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_requestform.asp
Department of Education Paperless Communication System
By signing up for the Paperless Communications System, you will be able to receive e-mail notices containing links to
messages, reports, legislative updates, technical assistance papers and official memorandums issued by the
Department. Please visit http://data.fldoe.org/communications/ to sign up.
Events:
2016 FSHA Annual Training and Conference: May 4-6, 2016 at the Orlando Rosen Centre Hotel. Visit
http://www.fsha.net/ for details.
National Drug Facts Week begins January 25, 2016. Visit http://drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov/ for more information.
National School Choice Week: January 24-30, 2016. For more information, visit: http://schoolchoiceweek.com/