Charter Schools (84.282)

Program

84.282 Charter Schools

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Elementary And Secondary Education

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Executive Order Title V Part B, Subpart 1.

Program Number

84.282

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The program supports the planning, development, and initial implementation of charter schools and the dissemination of information on charter schools. Charter schools provide enhanced parental choice and are exempt from many statutory and regulatory requirements. In exchange for this increased flexibility, charter schools establish plans to improve student academic achievement and to stimulate the creativity and commitment of teachers, parents, and the public.

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Discretionary)

Uses and Use Restrictions

Each State educational agency (SEA) receiving a grant should award subgrants to one or more eligible applicants in their State, enabling them to plan and implement a charter school. Each eligible applicant, other than an SEA, receiving funds from the Secretary or an SEA shall use the funds to plan and implement a charter school. Grantees receive up to 3 years of assistance, of which they may not use more than 18 months for planning and program design and not more than 2 years for the initial implementation of a charter school. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 75.563. For assistance call the Office of Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202)708-7770.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State educational agencies (SEAs) with specific statutes authorizing charter schools are eligible. If an eligible SEA elects not to participate in this program or does not have an approved application, authorized public chartering agencies participating in partnerships with charter school developers may apply, directly to the Secretary.

Beneficiary Eligibility

School administrators, teachers, and students and their parents are beneficiaries.

Credentials/Documentation

No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Contact the program office for application information. Application notices are published in the Federal Register.

Award Procedure

Contact the program office for this information.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 120 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

To receive continuation funding, grantees must demonstrate substantial progress toward meeting their goals and objectives. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded for a period of not more than 3 years, subject to the availability of funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

As part of the continuation funding process, grantees must submit performance reports annually. The programs office will establish a due date. Final performance reports must be submitted within 90 days of the end of the grant award period. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Records must be maintained for three years after the fiscal year in which the expenditure was made by the grantee, or until the grantee is notified of the completion of the Federal fiscal audit. In all cases of audit questions, records must be maintained until resolution has occurred.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Grants will support approximately 1,200 schools. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0204-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $211,031,000; FY 09 est $236,031,000; FY 10 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range of awards: $500,000 - $10,000,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Not Applicable.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Dean Kern Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Parental Options and Information, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: dean.kern@ed.gov Phone: (202) 260-1882

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/programs/charter/index.html.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Projects focus on: increasing the number of high-quality charter schools; improving student achievement in math and reading; strengthening the fiscal management and operations of charter schools; and promoting awareness of charter schools. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Selection criteria are contained in program statute. Contact the program office for more information.