Even Start-State Educational Agencies (84.213)

 

Program

84.213 Even Start-State Educational Agencies

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; Title I, Part B, Subpart 3. 20 U.S.C. 6362.

 

Program Number

84.213

 

Last Known 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

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Federal formula funds are awarded to SEAs annually. Subgrants are for up to 4 years with annual renewals subject to approval of the SEA and the availability of funds. After the subgrant ends, an applicant may reapply for a new subgrant, but may not receive funds for longer than 8 years.

 

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.

 

Program Accomplishments

More than 1,000 projects were funded in all States.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0900-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $225,500,000; FY 03 est $224,021,000; and FY 04 est $159,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In fiscal year 2002, $1,128,000 to $31,356,000. Average: $4,337,000.

 

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.

 

Related Programs

84.002, Adult Education_State Grant Program; 84.010, Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies; 84.011, Migrant Education_State Grant Program; 93.600, Head Start.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

U.S. Department of Education, OESE Student Achievement and School Accountability 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Rm. 3W106, FB-6 Washington DC 20202-6132. Contact: Patricia McKee. E-mail Address patricia.mckee@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 260-0991.

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SASA/evenstprogresp.html

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Projects have included Project Even Start in Brooklyn, New York, a family-centered education program to assist children in reaching their potential as learners, to provide literacy training for their parents, and to help parents become partners with the schools in the education of their children. The project includes pre-kindergarten programs and parent-child home training. The Waterville Even Start Project, in Waterville, Maine, provides instructional services that are home-based, with supplemental activities provided at an Even Start Center. The adult element of the program provides literacy education in the context of parenting. Early childhood and primary education specialists work with families using a curriculum developed in conjunction with the Head Start program. At a monthly meeting adults attend parenting workshops while children participate in educational programs.

 

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.