Competitive Grants: Promoting K-12 Student Achievement At Military-connected Schools (12.556)

Program

12.556 Competitive Grants: Promoting K-12 Student Achievement At Military-connected Schools

Federal Agency

Agency: Department Of Defense

Authorization

Section 574 (d) of P.L. 109-364, as amended by Section 553 of P.L. 110-417; Title 10 U.S.C. Section 2192(b) and Title 10 U.S.C. Section 2193a.

Program Number

12.556

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To enhance student learning opportunities, student achievement, and educator professional development at military-connected schools significantly impacted by military force structure changes. These grants may be used to address student achievement in science, technology, mathematics, or English language arts/reading.

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Discretionary)

Uses and Use Restrictions

Projects use nationally recognized, research-based best practices to enhance student achievement primarily in academic areas. Projects should address identified needs at the target school(s). Projects must have an evaluation plan that uses multiple sources to measure both the fidelity and the results of implementation, especially as they contribute to improving the student achievement of military students at the target schools. The definition of military student is specified in the Federal Register announcement.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Grant funds are aimed at military-connected school districts that have been significantly impacted by force structure changes.

Beneficiary Eligibility

K-12 students are the primary beneficiaries, although the grants may also fund teacher professional development.

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. 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. Applicants must complete Standard Forms 424,424A, 424B, and Certification regarding Lobbying.

Award Procedure

1, A Federal Register notice lists local educational agencies (LEAs) which are invited to apply for the competitive grants. Even if an LEA is invited to apply, this does not mean the LEA is automatically eligible to apply.
2. LEAs listed in the Federal Register notice determine their eligibility based on their military dependent population in their schools. The eligibility criteria are specified in the Federal Register notice.
3. LEAs submit concept papers to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
4. DoDEA experts review the concept papers. LEAs with the highest scoring concept papers are invited to submit and are sent full applications.
5. LEAs complete applications for eligible school(s).
6. DoDEA, military service representatives, and other federal agency experts review the applications and DoDEA awards the highest scoring applications.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days. In FY09, the competitive process required submission of a concept paper first. After the concept papers were reviewed, a percentage of applicants were invited to submit full applications.

Appeals

Appeals may be made to the DoDEA grants officer.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

In FY09 grant were made during the fiscal year (October 2008-September 2009). LEAs have 36-38 months, that is, the last two months of FY09 and all of FY10-12 to submit invoices for payment under the terms of that grant.. In FY10, a similar time period will most likely be used. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: School districts may be reimbursed after submitting invoices. Arrangements can also be made by the school district--through the grants officer--to receive advance payments.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. Districts submit semi-annual progress reports detailing program progress and results. The program's evaluation plan largely determines the specifics of each report. Data must be disaggregated to show military students' progress/achievement. Quarterly financial reports (SF424A), final transactions report (SF424B), request for advance or reimbursement (SF270) are required. Districts submit semi-annual reports detailing program progress and results. The program's evaluation plan largely determines the specifics of each report. Quarterly financial reports (SF424A), final transactions report (SF424B), request for advance or reimbursement (SF270) are required. Districts submit semesterly reports detailing program progress and results. The program's evaluation plan largely determines the specifics of each report.

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 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. DoDEA will monitor all grantees via telephone and electronically and will conduct monitoring visits to selected grantees. DoDEA will provide evaluation assistance to all grantees.

Records

Semi-annual Progress Reports
Quarterly Financial Reports
Request for Advance or Reimbursement.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

97-0100-0-6-000.

Obligations

(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $41,300,000; FY 10 est $15,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In FY09, the range of awards for DoDEA's 3-year grants was $300,000 to $2,000,000. The average award was $1,200,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

OMB Circular No. A-133; DoD Directive 3210.2 and Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations are applicable to the project grants. The agency also lists grant information in the Federal Register.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None. The awarding agency is located at DoDEA headquarters in Arlington, VA.

Headquarters Office

Brian J. Pritchard 4040 North Fairfax Drive, 9th Floor
, Arlington, Virginia 22203 Email: brian.pritchard@hq.dodea.edu Phone: 7035883345

Web Site Address

http://militaryk12partners.dodea.edu/

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

In FY09 the selection of proposals was based on five criteria. They were weighted in the following order: implementation plan, evaluation plan, needs assessment, goals/outcomes, and budget/sustainabilty.