Reading First State Grants (84.357)
Program
84.357 Reading First State Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorization
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title I, Part B, Subpart 1.
Program Number
84.357
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To ensure that every student can read at grade level or above by the end of third grade. The Reading First program will provide assistance to States and districts in establishing reading programs for students in kindergarten through third grade that are based on scientifically based reading research. Reading First also focuses on teacher development and ensuring that all teachers, including special education teachers, have the tools they need to effectively help their students learn to read. The program provides assistance to States and districts in preparing teachers to identify specific reading barriers facing their students.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Each State educational agency (SEA) receiving a grant shall use the funds to establish reading programs that are based on scientifically based reading research.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State Education Agencies from the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Kindergarten through third-grade students, their teachers, and their parents are beneficiaries.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
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
In their Reading First State grant applications, States will describe their plans to provide competitive subgrants to targeted schools and districts and to use significant State leadership funds in order to improve reading instruction and student achievement. Applications must be prepared and submitted 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, Office, a complete application that addresses the purposes of the program 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), and Section 9306 of the No Child Left Behind Act (Other General Assurances). Applications should also include a Cover Page (SF424); 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
Grant applications will be reviewed by outside, expert panels. The expert panels will recommend to the Secretary of Education those applications that meet the standards of the review criteria. Based on the panels' recommendations, the Secretary will then authorize the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education to make the grant awards. The Department of Education will notify successful applicants of their awards. Contact the Program Office for more information.
Deadlines
Deadlines are published in the Federal Register.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Continuation funding depends upon future program appropriations and demonstrated substantial progress toward meeting the grant's goals and objectives.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
A Reading First grant to a State educational agency is awarded for up to 6 years, subject to sufficient appropriations and submission and review of progress reports.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees must submit performance reports annually. The program office will establish a due date. Final performance reports must be submitted within 90 days after the end of the grant award period.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expand financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Records must be maintained for 3 years after the fiscal year in which the expenditure was made by the grantee, or until the grantee is notified of the completion of the Federal fiscal audit. In all cases of audit questions, records must be maintained until resolution has occurred.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal year 2002, is the first year of funding for this program. Grants made with fiscal year 2002, funds will support the development of Reading First programs in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and the outlying areas.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0900-0-1-501.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $900,000,000; FY 03 est $993,500,000; and FY 04 est $1,050,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In 2002, the range of awards to SEAs was $2,159,000 and $133,000,000, with an average award of $16,606,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), Parts 76, 77, 79, 80, 82, 85, 97, 98, 99.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Reading First Program, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, FOB-6, Room 3W311, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20202-6100. Contact: Chris Doherty, E-mail: chris.doherty@ed.gov Telephone: (202) 401-4877.
Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/readingfirst/index.html
Examples of Funded Projects
This is a new program, no examples are available.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Selection criteria are contained in the program guidelines. Contact the Program Office for more information.
