Associated Talmud Torahs of Chicago

Government Programs Liaison

Representation of ATT Schools to the Illinois State Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools

Since the early 1970’s, the Associated Talmud Torahs has been the official representative for its Chicago schools to the local educational agency (LEA) which is Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Nonpublic school representatives meet with CPS on a monthly basis to discuss procedures for accessing state and federal programs and to voice issues of concern. These meetings are known as “consultation meetings.”

In addition, the ATT has been on the board of the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools (ICNS) since 1970. Its representative is currently a member of the ICNS Executive Board as its treasurer and has served in this capacity since the early 1990’s.

Federal Title Programs

All federal title allocations come from the federal government to the state and from the state to the LEA, namely CPS, to be distributed to individual schools based on paperwork completed by their official educational agencies. The ATT is the official educational agency for its Chicago schools. Skokie schools need to access these funds through their respective LEA’s.

ATT schools access the federal Title programs, specifically No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

Title I funds are used for math and reading remediation for eligible students.

Title II funds are used by ATT schools for attendance at professional development conferences, for in-school workshops, and to pay consultants who give in-services in the core-curricular subject areas. Funds for technology – professional development and software/hardware are available to schools as well as part of the Title IID program. . The ATT also helps its schools write ISBE-approved technology plans which sometimes prove to be a critical factor for receiving these technology funds. As of 2004, the ATT is the official approval agency of technology plans for nonpublic non-Catholic schools for the Schools and Library Division.

Foreign Language Funds (currently Title III) are used in improving the teaching of English to foreign students. Foreign students are identified as being in the U.S. less than 3 years and in grades K-12.

Title IV funds are used for drug prevention and conflict resolution workshops/consultants and materials to aid in creating safe and drug-free learning environments.

Title V (previously Chapter 2 and Title VI) is used these funds to buy library books, audiovisual aids (overhead projectors, screens, tape recorders, etc.), maps, computers, standardized tests, SRA kits, and practically anything that improves the instructional process.

Special programs provided to our schools directly from the state (ISBE)

ISBE Recognition Process – The ATT has been a partner in the ISBE recognition process for those schools that request it. One of the ATT supervisors is on the ISBE’s recognition team for every recognition process, and the ATT provides educational counsel to its schools at this critical time. The ATT was also part of the Advisory Board of Nonpublic Schools that wrote the official Policy and Guidelines of the State for Nonpublic Schools used in the recognition process. This program is under revision dependent on the governor’s budget. The Catholic Conference of Illinois, Agudath Israel, and the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools are following its status and responding accordingly.

Pupil transportation reimbursement – This program allows parents to be reimbursed for costs incurred while taking their children to school. Special forms are completed at each school and submitted to the state. Through the work of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, Agudath Israel, and the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools, this program has been maintained as part of the state’s budget.

Illinois Textbook Loan – Schools receive textbooks (one per student per grade level) on a three-year rotating cycle: K-4, 5-8, 9-12. Our schools are encouraged to use these funds. Through the work of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, Agudath Israel, and the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools, this program has been maintained as part of the state’s budget.