Early Reading First (84.359)

Program

84.359 Early Reading First

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 I, Part B, Subpart 2.

Program Number

84.359

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To support local efforts to enhance the early language, literacy, and prereading development of preschool-aged children, particularly those from low-income families, through instructional strategies and professional development based on scientifically based reading research. Early Reading First programs must have a high-quality oral language and print-rich environment, and must monitor children's progress toward language, literacy, and cognitive goals using screening reading assessments and other appropriate measures.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Program funds support projects designed to help early childhood centers improve their programs by creating centers of excellence that provide preschool-age children with language and cognitive skills, and an early reading foundation. Funds must be used to: enhance children's language, cognitive, and early reading skills through professional development for teachers; provide early language and reading development and instructional materials as developed from scientifically based reading research; provide preschool-age children with cognitive learning opportunities in high-quality language and literature-rich environments; use screening assessments to effectively identify preschool children who may be at risk for reading failure; and improve existing early childhood programs by integrating scientifically based reading research into all aspects of the program (including instructional materials, teaching strategies, curricula, parent engagement, and professional development).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The following are eligible to apply for an Early Reading First grant: (1) One or more local educational agencies that are eligible to receive a Reading First State grant subgrant; (2) One or more public or private organizations of agencies, acting on behalf of one or more programs that serve preschool age children (such as a Head Start program, a child care program, an Even Start Family literacy program, a lab school at a university), located in a community that is eligible for a Reading First grant; (3) One or more local educational agencies described in (1), in collaboration with one or more organizations or agencies described in (2).

Beneficiary Eligibility

Early childhood staff and children in early childhood programs will benefit from this program.

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

Eligible applicants who wish to receive an Early Reading First grant must submit a pre-application of no more than ten pages which addresses four criteria: the program's vision, program plan, continuity of services, and how they will measure the program's success. The pre-application must also include an estimated budget. Further information on preparing the pre-application can be found in the Federal Register and the Application package. Only those submissions rated highly in this competitive peer review process and deemed to have the potential to become successful projects will be invited to submit full Early Reading First applications. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372,"Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

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. Those applicants who are invited to submit a full application must prepare and submit them in accordance with the notice published in the Federal Register. By the due date, eligible applicants must submit to the U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, a complete application that addresses the purposes of the program, the selection criteria, the competitive priority included in the application notice, and includes all required assurances and signatures. Required assurances and certifications include: Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 422B); Certification regarding Lobbying, Debarment; Suspension and Other Responsibility Matter, and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED Form 80-0013); Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL) (if applicable); Response to Notice to All Applicants (Section 427, GEPA). Applications should also include a Cover Page (SF-424); the required Budget Form (ED Form 524); an itemized budget and other budget information; proof of eligibility; a project abstract; and a program narrative that includes responses to selection criteria. Applicants are encouraged to submit (1) one original and (2) copies of their application.

Award Procedure

The Department of Education notifies successful applicants of awards. Actual negotiations and awarding of grants is done by the Department's Grants and Contracts Service, in cooperation with the program staff. Contact the program office for more information.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

The range of approval/disapproval time is approximately 60 to 120 days following the full application deadline.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

The Department may award grants with a project period of up to six years. Renewals are subject to the availiability of appropriations.

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

Projects may be funded for a period of up to six years. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Progress reports must be submitted at the end of each budget period. Performance reports must be submitted at the end of the grant 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. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $500,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with the Appendix to EDGAR, Part 80.

Records

In accordance with the General Education Provisions Act and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), certain records must be retained for 3 years.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: An estimated 32,652 children and 3,338 educators were served by this program in 2008. Fiscal Year 2009: An estimated 33,278 children and 3,402 educators will be served in 2009. Fiscal Year 2010: An estimated 37,713 children and 3,856 educators will be served in 2010.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0900-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $112,549,000; FY 09 est $112,549,000; FY 10 est $162,549,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Average: $3,589,425.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

Related Programs

84.213 Even Start_State Educational Agencies; 84.357 Reading First State Grants

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Rebecca Marek Department of Education, OESE Early Reading First Program 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: rebecca.marek@ed.gov Phone: (202) 260-0968

Web Site Address

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

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Grants are designed to help early childhood centers improve their programs by creating centers of excellence that provide young children with language and cognitive skills, and an early reading foundation. Fiscal Year 2009: Same as FY 2008. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The selection criteria will be included in the full application package and published in the Federal Register notice. For further information, contact the program office.