Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Loiterman, Toras Chaim’s principal, was recenlty invited to become a member of Virginia’s Equitable Services Workgroup by Christopher Kelly, EdD. Kelly is the equitable services ombudsman in the Office of Program Administration and Accountability of the Virginia Department of Education.
The group meets three times a year to discuss equitable services and assist the state with developing effective practices under ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) programs serving private schools.
The ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) program implementation begins in the 2017-2018 school year.
Private school students, teachers, and principals in nonprofit private elementary and secondary schools, including religiously affiliated schools, are eligible under the same conditions as the federal program allows for public school students, teachers, and principals.
Loiterman will attend the next meeting of Virginia’s Equitable Services Workgroup on July 26 in Williamsburg.