Program Descriptions
Program Number
84.213
Title
Even Start-State Educational Agencies
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorization
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended; Title I, Part B, Subpart 3. 20 U.S.C. 6362.
Status
Active
Objectives
To help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy and improve the educational opportunities of low-income families, by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program.
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants; Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Subgrants are used for activities such as recruitment and screening of children and parents, design of programs, instruction of children and parents, support services, staff training, evaluation, and coordination with other programs. Funds may not be used for indirect costs.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State educational agencies (SEAs). The subgrantees are partnerships of a local educational agency (LEA) and a nonprofit community-based organization, a public agency other than an LEA, an institution of higher education or other public or private nonprofit organizations. Any of the latter, with demonstrated quality, may apply in collaboration with a LEA.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Parents eligible for participation under the Adult Education Act and their children aged birth through seven. Families must be in need of Even Start services, as indicated by a low income level and low level of adult literacy or English language proficiency, or other need-related indicators.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
State educational agencies submit State plans to the Department of Education in accordance with requirements in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and guidance by the Department.
Award Procedure
The Department of Education awards grants to SEAs based on their relative shares of ESEA Title I, Part A funds. SEAs award subgrants giving priority to proposals that target areas designated as empowerment zones or enterprise communities or that propose to serve families in other high-poverty areas.
Deadlines
Deadlines for subgrantees are set by each SEA.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Varies with each State.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Federal share of the cost of a subgrant project is not more than 90 percent in the first year, 80 percent in the second year, 70 percent in the third year, 60 percent in the fourth year, and 50 percent in any subsequent year. Federal funds are distributed to SEAs based on their relative shares of Title I, Part A of ESEA.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Formula grants to SEAs are awarded on July 1. Funds are available for obligation and expenditure for a total of 27 months. Subgrants may not exceed 4 years in duration.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual performance reports are required.
Audits
In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations in the Appendix to 34 CFR 80, State and local governments that receive financial assistance of $100,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $100,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with the Appendix to Part 80, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate.
Records
In accordance with the General Education Provisions Act and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations, certain project records must be retained for three years.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0900-0-1-501.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $82,282,760; FY 08 est $66,454,399; and FY 09 est $0.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The estimated range of award is $305,690 - $7,213,753. The estimated average is $1,175,732.
Program Accomplishments
An estimated 330 projects will be funded by States in 2008.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
34 CFR 76 (except for 76.600-76.677), 77, 80-82, and 85; Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). For more information, contact the program office.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Department of Education, OESE Student Achievement and School Accountability 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington DC 20202-6132. Contact: Patricia McKee, E-mail: patricia.mckee@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 260-0991.
Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/programs/evenstartformula/index.html
Related Programs
84.002, Adult Education - Basic Grants To States
84.010, Title I Grants To Local Educational Agencies
84.011, Migrant Education-State Grant Program
93.600, Head Start
Examples of Funded Projects
Projects have included Project Even Start SPARK Plus in Accomack County, Virginia, jointly operated by the Accomack County Public Schools and Eastern Shore Community College. This project is designed to improve the literacy levels of disadvantaged families through the provision of adult education, parenting education, interactive literacy activities, and early childhood education for children ages 4-8. Time is provided for separate early childhood and adult instruction, as well as joint family learning experiences. While the adults are working toward career and education goals, the children are engaged in uses a research-based curriculum. Parent-Child activities are hands-on activities delivered through Eastern Shore College's acclaimed "Shore People Advancing Readiness for Knowledge," also know as SPARKS.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
SEAs apply their own criteria to select subgrantees most likely to succeed in meeting the purpose of Even Start and in effectively implementing the program elements in Section 1205 and the requirements in Section 1208(a)(1) and (2), Part B, Title I of ESEA. SEAs must give priority to projects that target services to the neediest families or to projects that are located in areas designated as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities under Public Law 103.66.
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