Program Descriptions
Program Number
84.377
Title
School Improvement Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorization
Section 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended (Public Law 107-110 )(115 Stat. 1442, 20 U.S.C. 6303(g)).
Status
Active
Objectives
To strengthen the capacity of States to carry out their program improvement responsibilities required under Sections 1116 and 1117 of Title I of the ESEA by (1) building State capacity to provide leadership in implementing effective school improvement strategies for local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools that have been identified for improvement, are in corrective action, and are in the restructuring process and (2) providing resources to LEAs to support school improvement activities, including the development and implementation of effective restructuring plans.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
A State educational agency (SEA) must allocate at least 95 percent of the amount of the funds it receives directly to LEAs for schools that have been identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring to carry out activities under Section 1116(b). An SEA may retain up to 5 percent of the grant amount received for administration, evaluation, and technical assistance expenses. At the LEA level, these funds may be used for any reasonable costs associated with carrying out school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring activities described in Section 1116(b).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State Educational Agencies with approved State plan amendments are eligible to receive funds.
Beneficiary Eligibility
To be eligible to receive Title I School Improvement funds, an LEA must have one or more schools identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under Section 1116(b) of Title I.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Pursuant to Section 76.140 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations, the Department is requiring States to amend their State plans in order to receive Title I accountability funds. The amendment may be brief (less than 10 pages) and must describe: (1) the criteria the State will use to determine which LEAs, among those eligible, will receive funds; (2) the criteria the State will use to determine how much each LEA will receive; and (3) the criteria the State will use to ensure that the funds awarded to LEAs will be used to address one or more short-term outcome measures to improve student academic achievement.
Award Procedure
The Department will allocate funds to any State whose submission demonstrates that the criteria the State uses to determine which LEA will receive funds and how much clearly serve the purpose of carrying out Section 1003(g) of Title I.
Deadlines
The Department is in the process of establishing specific guidelines and deadlines for States to use in applying for School Improvement Grants.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
The Department will ensure that amended State plans will be reviewed in sufficient time to ensure that fiscal year 2007 funds for School Improvement Grants are awarded prior to September 30, 2008.
Appeals
In programs administered by the Department, Section 432 of the General Education Provisions Act provides LEAs with a right of appeal when there are disagreements between State and local educational agencies, including disagreements over funding decisions. Where an LEA alleges that the denial of funding is a violation of State or Federal law, rules, regulations, or guidelines governing the applicable program, it may, within 30 days, request a hearing from the SEA. Once the hearing is held and the SEA issues it written ruling, the LEA may appeal a negative ruling to the Secretary.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Title I School Improvement funds are available for obligation by local educational agencies for a maximum of 27 months after funds become available on July 1. Funds become available to the Department on July 1, and will be allocated to States on or after that date. They remain available for obligation by LEA under the initial period of availability for 15 months. Under section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act, any funds that remain unobligated may be carried over for obligation for an additional 12 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees are subject to the reporting requirements contained in Parts 76 and 80 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).
Audits
All grantees are subject to the provision of the Single Audit Act.
Records
All grantees must maintain and complete records as provided in EDGAR.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0900-0-1-501.
Obligations
FY 07 $125,000,000; FY 08 est. $500,000,000; and FY 09 est. not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The Department will allocate Title I School Improvement funds among States in the same proportion as funds are allocated among the States under Title I, Part A, Part C, and Part D, subpart 1. The SEA determines the amount of funds allocated to school districts.
Program Accomplishments
None.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
The Department is in the process of issuing guidance and instructions for States to use in applying for these funds.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Gary Rutkin, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education/Compensatory Education Programs, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., 3W214, Washington, DC 20202-6132. Contact: Gary Rutkin. E-mail: Gary.rutkin@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 260-4412.
Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/oese
Related Programs
84.010, Title I Grants To Local Educational Agencies
Examples of Funded Projects
None.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable; the Department awards funds to States through a formula.
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