July 28, 2016
Catholic Education News

Inside This Issue
Follow us on TwitterLike us on FacebookView our videos on YouTube
Resources
ESSA Resources
  • I am pleased to offer you our latest resource - ESSA Transition for Catholic Schools (available on Box at that link, and on our USCCB page soon). This 3-page document is designed to assist Catholic school officials in consultations and planning during this upcoming transition year from No Child Left Behind to Every Student Succeeds. You may also find the Ombudsman Toolkit helpful as well.
  • Last week, the Office of Non-Public Education put out an excellent resource for all Catholic school officials grappling with the new Every Student Succeeds Act - their comparison chart is a useful document to visualize changes from the previous law.
  • The Department of Education also put out an updated version of their FAQ about ESSA transition at the end of June. Although there is nothing new for Catholic schools, it is a good excuse to re-link it and point you towards questions C-5d and C-5e, about set-asides and equitable services in the upcoming school year.
  • At the end of June, ED sent a Dear Colleague to states highlighting best practices for stakeholder participation. "Appropriate private school officials" is listed as a key group to engage. Find the letter here. Then get in touch with your SEA to make sure you're included!
  • If you do not receive ONPE's emails, I encourage you to sign up
  • Lastly, comments for ED's rule on state plans under ESSA close on August 1. Please visit my Box folder and download the "ESSA NPRM Commenting Directions" so you can help ensure Catholic school officials a seat at the table in state plans under ESSA.
 
New School Lunch Rules

In a series of regulations published at the end of last week, the US Department of Agriculture set standards for selling and marketing snack foods at school and clarified final rules for the Community Eligibility Provision for school lunch.
 
You may read USDA's press release, with many more links, here. And to see the final rules, go here. The comments and response section of the CEP rule, beginning on pg. 9, may be of interest to schools participating or considering participation in the CEP. 

N.b., the "snack foods" rule may mean changes to the items offered in vending machine at your school (if the school participates in the NSLP).
 
Reading List:
Best,
Greg Dolan