Public Policy

NCEA's Role in Shaping Public Policy and Political Action on Behalf of Catholic Schools

The Association's mission statement and the expectations of its members call NCEA to provide leadership in shaping public policies and encouraging political actions that acknowledge and support the important role of Catholic schools in the United States, that affirm and support the rights of all parents to choose Catholic schools for their children and advocates for the equitable participation of Catholic school students in federal education programs.

Sr. Dale McDonald , PBVM, PhD
Director of Public Policy and Educational Research
Email the NCEA Public Policy Office

  Policy Issues

New and Timely Information

Federal Programs

School Choice

US Supreme Court Decisions

State Regulations and Services

Legislative Resources

Issues at a Glance

New E-Rate Application Filing Window Date The Fiscal Year 2013 application filing window for the FCC Form 471 will open at noon EST on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 and close at 11:59 pm EDT on Thursday, March 14, 2013. The window will be open for 93 days.    Detailed application information may be found on this page.     *****   Available TeacherTraining Grants   The U.S. Department of Education has awarded grants ($24.4 million) to a number of colleges and universities for teacher training programs to improve classroom instruction for English learners.   Recipients of the grants are required, under the equitable services provisions of Title IX of ESEA, to offer equitable services to teachers in private and religious schools.     If a Catholic school is located in a public school district that receives services as part of the grant, private school teachers must be included in the professional development opportunities provided to the public school teachers.   This link will provide details and a list of the 2012 National Professional Development grantees (colleges) by state, with contact names and addresses for more information about individual projects.   To assure equitable participation for eligible teachers, contact the person at the college/university whose e-mail is provided on the list.  *****             ESEA Waivers/Flexibility and Private Schools CLICK HERE 32 states and District of Columbia receive ESEA waivers: