Director of Government Programs

The Catholic Schools Department oversees the appropriate use of government funds allocated to the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Erie; represents the 47 elementary, middle, and secondary schools in the Diocese of Erie in dealings with local Public School Districts, regional Intermediate Units, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and the United States Department of Education (USDE). Monies are allocated from two main sources: the federal government and the state government. The laws governing the allocation process and use of these funds are reviewed every few years and reauthorized by the legislature.

Below is an overview of the main funding currently receive through federal and state programs.

 Federal Programs

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, (ESEA), which was amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, (NCLB), provides federal funds under a variety of Titles.

  • Title I Part A must be administered to nonpublic schools through a public school district. Funds for this title are generated by the number of low income students within a public school district’s attendance area. The number of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch in each school is currently use to calculate low income percentages, which determines the amount of money allocated for this program. An annual needs assessment selects children with the greatest educational need for supplemental reading, mathematics, and/or guidance assistance. These services are then funded by the Title I allocation. Title I has a State Parent Advisory Council,(SPAC), to which parents/guardians of students participating in the Title I program may belong. PA State Parent Resource Center is available for parents of Title I students, (1-800-942-8035 ext. 245). The goal of Title I is to provide educational assistance to those students with the greatest need.
  • Title II Part A is administered to nonpublic schools through an Intermediate Unit. Funds support staff development that emphasizes core curricular areas. The goal of Title II, Part A is to improve classroom instruction and therefore, student achievement. Title II, Part D is administered to nonpublic schools through an Intermediate Unit. Funds support staff development that emphasizes the use of technology and the purchase of hardware and software. The goal of Title II, Part D is to improve classroom instruction and therefore, student achievement.
  • Title IV (Part A:  Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act) (SDFSCA) must be administered to nonpublic schools through an Intermediate Unit. Substance abuse education/prevention programs, and violence prevention programs must be research-based to be supported by Title IV. The goal of Title IV is to provide safe and drug-free schools and promote safe and drug-free communities.
  • Title V: Innovative Educational Programs must be administered to nonpublic schools through an Intermediate Unit. Title V funds instructional and educational materials that support and enhance Title II, Part A and Part D. It’s goal is to provide classroom supplies necessary for implementing new, innovative, and educationally sound programs.

State Programs

Similar to federally funded programs, the Pennsylvania Department of Education provides material and services to non-public schools via local public school districts and Intermediate Units.

  • Act 195/90 provides students with textbooks and instructional materials designed for student use. Each year the Diocese of Erie receives a per pupil allocation for all Pennsylvania students in grades K-12 that are enrolled in our 47 schools.
  • Act 89 must be administered to nonpublic schools through an Intermediate Unit. It offers a comprehensive program of auxiliary services to eligible nonpublic students in grades K-12, which may include: remedial reading, remedial mathematics, speech/language therapy, enrichment, and psychological evaluations.
  • Act 372 provides pupil transportation or tokens for student use. To qualify for pupil transportation the student must reside more than 1.5 miles, (grades 1-6), or 2.0 miles, (grades 7-12), from school, or travel on a dangerous route, (grades 1-6). Kindergarten students are eligible based upon their individual school district’s eligibility for public school Kindergarten students.
  • School Health Services, (S. 1402 of the School Code), provides the following for nonpublic schools in cooperation with their public school districts: vision testing, hearing testing, TB testing, height and weight measurement, some immunizations, medical examinations and comprehensive health appraisals, dental examinations, and maintenance of comprehensive health records.

Web Sites: