Fund for the Improvement of Education (84.215)

Program

84.215 Fund for the Improvement of Education

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office of Innovation and Improvement

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, Executive Order Subpart1, Title V, Part D, as amended by ESEA, Title II, Part C; American History and Civics Education Act of 2004.

Program Number

84.215

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To conduct nationally significant programs to improve the quality of education, assist all students to meet challenging State content standards, and contribute to the achievement of elementary and secondary students.

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Contracts)

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds may be used to support a wide range of projects under the FIE general authority for programs, and additional specific program authorities. Competitions are announced in the Federal Register. Specific limitations and restrictions for each competition are provided in the Federal Register notice.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, public and private organizations and institutions may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, public and private organizations and institutions will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

OMB Circular No. A-87
OMB Circular No. A-21
OMB Circular No. A-122. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

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

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Described in application notices published annually in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters offices listed below for application packages containing the announcement, application, and assurance forms and for further information about the specific programs.

Award Procedure

Awards are competitively selected following review by nonfederal experts in accordance with Subpart D of Part 75 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 120 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant program (see 34 CFR 75.253). Generally, for multiple-year awards, continuation awards after the first budget period are made if: sufficient funds have been appropriated; the recipient has either made substantial progress in the meeting of the goals of the project or obtained approval for changes in the project; the recipient has submitted all required reports; and continuation is in the best interest of the government.

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

Awards are made annually. Following an initial, competitively selected award, additional non-competing continuation awards may be made. The possible length of the project is announced in the application notice in the Federal Register. 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

As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75). Generally, annual performance and financial reports are required. Cash reports are not applicable. Annual performance reports are required as part of the submittal of form ED 524B. Annual expenditure reports are required as part of the submittal of form ED524B. Staff also monitor grants drawdowns using agency financial reports. Reporting on performance measures is required as part of the submittal of form ED524B.

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. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133. State and local governments are subject to the requirements in the Single Audit Act and the ED regulations implementing OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

As required by EDGAR for direct grant programs (34 CFR part 75). Generally, records related to grant funds, compliance, and performance must be maintained for a period of 5 years after completion.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Varies by program. 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 $486,065,000; FY 09 est $383,908,000; FY 10 est $421,142,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Varies by competition.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-110, A-122, and A-133.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Margo Anderson Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII), 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., , Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: margo.anderson@ed.gov Phone: (202) 205-3010

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/programs/find/cfda/index.html?src=In.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: The program funded in FY 2008 were: FIE Programs of National Significance (OII, CFDA 84.215K and U), Elementary and Secondary School Counseling (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215E), Character Education (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215S and V), Smaller Learning Communities (OESE, CFDA 84.215L), Physical Education Program (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215F), Education Through Cultural and Historical Organizations (OII, CFDA 84.215Y), Excellence in Economic Education (OII CFDA 84.215B), Foundations for Learning Grants (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215H), Mental Health Integration in Schools (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215M), Academies for American History and Civics (OII, CFDA 84.215A and D), Teaching American History (OII, CFDA 84.215X), and Full Service Community Schools (OII, CFDA 84.215J). Fiscal Year 2009: The programs funded in FY 2009 were: FIE Programs of National Significance (OII, CFDA 84.215K and U), Elementary and Secondary Counseling (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215E), Character Education (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215S and V), Smaller Learning Communities (OESE, CFDA 84.215L), Physical Education Program (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215F), Education Through Cultural and Historical Organizations (OII, CFDA 84.215Y), Excellence in Economic Education (OII, CFDA 84.215B), Foundations for Learning Grants (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215H), Mental Health Integration in Schools, (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215M), Academies for American History and Civics (OII< CFDA 84.215A and D) and Teaching American History (OII, CFDA 84.215X), and Full Service Community Schools (OII, CFDA 84.215J). Fiscal Year 2010: The programs for which funded was requested in FY 2010 were: FIE Programs of National Significance (OII, CFDA 84.215U), Elementary and Secondary School Counseling (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215E), Smaller Learning Communities (OESE, CFDA 84.215L), Physical Education Program (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215F), Education Through Cultural and Historical Organizations (OII, CFDA 84.215Y), Excellence in Economic Education (OII, CFDA 84.215B), Mental Health Integration in Schools (OSDFS, CFDA 84.215M), Teaching American History (OII, CFDA 84.215X), and Full Service Community Schools (OII, CFDA 84.215J).

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The selection criteria for these programs are contained in Section 75.210 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). The specific criteria to be used for particular grant competitions are announced in the application package or application notice in the Federal Register.