Page 101 - HCSD SOPandIC Manual

COMPARABILITY – Title I – M1, M2

Policy GABE

Demonstrating comparability is a prerequisite for receiving Title I, Part A funds. Because Part A
allocations are made annually, comparability is an annual requirement. In effort to comply with the
comparability of services requirement and implement those procedures annually, HCSD has developed
the following written procedures.

HCSD has an internal process that (a) ensures salaries are comparable in all schools, (b) confirms
schools are equivalent in teachers, administrators, and other staff, and (c) verifies that
curriculum/instructional materials and supplies are equivalent.

The comparability report is submitted annually to the MDE Office of Federal Programs as directed, and the
HCSD Superintendent of Education is the certifying official.

1. Comparability Compliance: It is the responsibility of Hinds County School District State &
Federal Programs Office and Hinds County School District Human Resources Office to ensure
that the district remains in compliance with the comparability requirement set forth in ESSA, 2015
Section 1118(c). To be eligible to receive Title I funds, the LEA must use state and local funds to
provide services in Title I schools that are at least comparable to services provided in non-Title I
schools. If the HCSD serves all of its schools with Title I funds within a particular grade span, the
district will use state and local funds to provide services that are substantially comparable in each
school.

2. Deadlines: The LEA shall perform the annual comparability calculations for submission to the
MDE as directed by MDE. Unless advised otherwise, calculations shall be made no earlier than
September 1 or no later than September 30 of each year to allow for any necessary reallocation of
th
resources with minimum disruption to students, should any school be found not to be receiving
comparable services.

3. Determining schools to be included: The FPD will determine which schools are to be included in
making comparability calculations in accordance with MDE guidelines as follows:
• All district schools will be included in the Comparability Report Form A- School
Information and Signature Document or current MDE form.
• Comparison will be made by like grade spans and documented using Form B1/B2 or
current MDE form(s).
• When schools in the same grade span are Title I schools, the school with the lowest
percentage of low income children will be used as the base for computing averages in Part
C of Comparability Form B1/current MDE form. However, when there is no more than
five (5) percent difference between the highest and lowest concentrated Title I schools, any
of these schools may serve as the comparison school.
• No more than 50 percent of the schools in the grade span or size group may serve as
comparison schools.

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