Invitational Grants For Miliitary-connected Schools (12.557)

Program

12.557 Invitational Grants For Miliitary-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

12.557

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To enhance student learning opportunities, student achievement, educator professional development, and to ease the challenges students who are military dependents face due to their parents� military station transfers or deployments. These grants may be used to address student achievement in science, technology, mathematics, English language arts, or reading. In addition, grants funds may be used for students� transitional needs, such as additional guidance counselor support.

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Discretionary)

Uses and Use Restrictions

Projects use nationally recognized, research-based best practices to improve instruction and achievement and widely accepted strategies to ease the challenges of transitions / deployments. Projects must have an evaluation plan that uses multiple sources to measure both program implementation and results. School districts may not solicit the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to participate.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

These DoDEA grants are awarded to military-connected local educational agencies (LEAs) by invitation only.

Beneficiary Eligibility

K-12 students are the primary beneficiaries, although 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.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular A-87 applies. Applicants must complete Standard Form (SF) 424, SF 424A, SF 424B, and Certification regarding Lobbying.

Award Procedure

1. Invited LEAs receive applications for grants.
2. LEAs work with DoDEA experts to complete the application.
3. Completed applications are reviewed by DoDEA experts and approved by DoDEA senior leadership.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days.

Appeals

From 1 to 15 days. 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, grants 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 that grant. In FY10, a similar time period will most likely be used. School districts may be reimbursed after submitting invoices. Arrangements can also be made by the school district--through the DoDEA grants officer--to receive advance payments. 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

Program reports cover the fidelity of implementation and project results as described in the project's evaluation plan. Standard financial reporting is required. Districts submit semi-annual reports detailing program progress and results. Data must be disaggregated to show military students' progress/achievement. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required. Standard financial reporting is required. Districts submit semi-annual reports detailing program progress and results. Data must be disaggregated to show military students' progress/achievement. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

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 monitors 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 $900,000; FY 09 est $14,500,000; FY 10 est $15,000,000 - Funding depends upon appropriations and other factors.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

FY09: $300,000 to $2,500,000
FY10: $100,000 to $2,500,000 (min. and max. amounts pending).

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

OMB Circular No. A-133and DoD Directive 3210.6 are applicable to the project grants.

Related Programs

12.556 Competitive Grants: Promoting K-12 Student Achievement at Military-Connected Schools

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 Fax: 7035883702

Web Site Address

http://http:/militaryk12partners.dodea.edu/

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Fiscal Year 2008: In the pilot year, three small Invitational grants were made to three LEAs serving military installations that experienced frequent deployments or related issues. The grants promoted student achievement at military-connected schools. Fiscal Year 2009: Fiscal Year 2009: Nine LEAs nationwide were awarded invitational grants. In most cases, they were awarded to LEAs serving military installations that experienced frequent deployments. The majority of the funding was dedicated to improving student achievement; however, a significant fraction was dedicated to easing the challenges students faced due to their parents' transition/deployments. Fiscal Year 2010: Fiscal Year 2010: The FY10 program is expected to closely mirror the FY09 program in terms of size, content, and number of awards.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

DoDEA works closely with each LEA to craft an application. This spiral process of discussions, draft, feedback, and revisions leads to a product that is agreed upon by all stakeholders.