CAPSO’s Role

In a perfect world, all public school districts would clearly understand and faithfully discharge their obligations to private schools under the provisions of ESEA. And if they didn’t, private schools would have the personnel (and the time!) to educate and support them. In the real world, more times than not, neither of these wishes rings true.

District personnel have a tough enough time contending with the myriad of federal, state and local statutes and regulations governing public schools, let alone those relating to private education. Given the scope and complexity of ESEA, the number of private schools, and the limited availability of staff, districts and private schools are often hard pressed to collaborate. This is where CAPSO can help.

CAPSO is a statewide consortium of private school organizations whose affiliates represent the majority of California’s private school students in grades K-12. Through more than twenty years of information and resource sharing, CAPSO has built collegial relationships among a diverse array of religious, non-sectarian and special education private schools. CAPSO is recognized by and enjoys a positive working relationship with the California Department of Education. As the California affiliate of the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), CAPSO is networked with leading private education organizations throughout the country and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

CAPSO is, therefore, uniquely positioned to facilitate private school participation in ESEA funded programs by:

• Organizing groups of private school representatives in major school districts
• Facilitating ongoing consultation between private school representatives and key district personnel
• Working with local, state and federal authorities to promote positive collaboration, reduce misunderstanding, and avoid confrontation
• Coordinating programs and providing materials designed to help private school leadership better understand opportunities for participation in ESEA and other federally funded programs
• Serving as a general resource to private schools and government agencies
• CAPSO’s strength derives from the diversity of schools served by its affiliated organizations. Because CAPSO articulates the "common voice" of California private education, it cannot be said to represent the narrow interests of any particular group.