Each state must identify an Ombudsman to work with private schools and public school districts to monitor and enforce equitable services requirements under both Title I and Title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA sections 1117(a)(3)(B) and 8501(a)(3)(B)).
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has contracted with WCRIS to be Wisconsin’s ombudsman. More information from the DPI can be found here.
Meet Wisconsin’s Private School Ombudsman
Wisconsin is the first state to use a public-private partnership to accomplish the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) mandate of providing a state Private School Ombudsman. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has contracted with the Wisconsin Council of Religious & Independent Schools (WCRIS). WCRIS is a non-profit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) membership association representing more than 100,000 K-12 students in 600 Catholic, Lutheran, Christian, Seventh Day Adventist and independent schools across Wisconsin. Its Board of Directors are the Superintendents of the state’s private school systems.
WCRIS Executive Director Sharon Schmeling appointed Abigail (Abbie) Pavela as WCRIS’ Associate Director and Wisconsin Private School Ombudsman in December. Pavela immediately began training with the DPI and connecting with the US Department of Education (USDOE).
Previously, she served in private school administration at Bishop Chatard Catholic High School in Indianapolis, where she helped facilitate access to Title programs for both students and teachers and managed student records and teacher licensure compliance, among many other things. Prior to that, she was a substitute teacher.
As the former WCRIS Communications and Outreach Coordinator and Project Manager, Pavela built new professional development opportunities for school principals and teachers, negotiated with vendors and contractors, updated and maintained the WCRIS website and helped analyze and increase school leaders’ understanding of state laws and regulations. She was involved in the development of the WCRIS Legal Handbook and the Private School ESSA Affirmation Form.
Pavela is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
You can find information about the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) called the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) via the helpful links posted in the sidebar.
Resources from the Ombudsman
Presentations:
- 2018 WCRIS Leadership Conference WCRIS Ombudsman Presentation
- 2018 WASBO Federal Funding Conference Presentation: ESSA Requirements for Equitable Participation of Private Schools
- 2019 WASBO Federal Funding Conference Presentation: ESSA Requirements for Equitable Participation of Private Schools
- 2019 WCRIS Leadership Conference Workshop: Leveling the Federal Funds Playing Field
eNewsletter Editions:
- First Edition: Meet the Ombudsman, Spring Consultations, Equitable Share Amounts, ESSA Resources
- Second Edition: 2018-19 Needs Assessment and Title IV-A
Fliers:
