Ready to Teach (84.286)

Program

84.286 Ready to Teach

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Educational Research And Improvement

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Executive Order Title V, Part D, Subpart 8, 20 U.S.C. 7257-7257d.

Program Number

84.286

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To carry out a national telecommunications-based program to improve teaching, and prepare students to achieve challenging academic standards, in core curriculum areas. The Ready to Teach program also supports digital educational programming grants that enable eligible entities to develop, produce, and distribute educational and instructional video programming.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Not more than five percent of the amount received under the grant may be used for administrative costs.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

A local public telecommunications entity or partnership of such entities, as defined in section 397(12) of the Communications Act of 1934, that is able to demonstrate a capacity for the development and distribution of educational instructional television programming of high quality.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Elementary and secondary students, and school teachers who provide instruction in core curriculum areas (in the United States).

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 required. 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. Application forms and instructions are available from the program office. Application deadlines and other information for applicants are published in the Federal Register.

Award Procedure

Applicants are reviewed and evaluated by outside experts and program staff, in accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) (34 CFR 75, Subpart D).

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 days following the application deadline.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (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 meeting 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.

Matching Requirements: Digital educational programming grants awarded under ESEA Sec. 5484, require a match of not less than 100 percent from federal applicants. Grants awarded under ESEA Sec. 5481, to carry out a national telecommunications-based program, have no formula or matching reqirements. Such matching funds may include funds provided for the transition to digital broadcasting, as well as in-kind contributions.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Following a competitively selected 12-month award, up to two additional years may be awarded. 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 Educational 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. Grantees must submit an annual performance report (APR) as required under EDGAR 34 CFR 74.50. Expenditure reports are monitored through the APR. Program performance monitored through the APR.

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 Nonprofit 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 OMB Circular No. A-133. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

As required by EDGAR for direct grantprograms (34 CFR 75) the grantee shall maintain records and other evidence pertaining to all costs incurred,revenues, or other applicable credits acquired under its award as stated in grant or contract terms and conditions. Generally, records related to grant funds, compliance, and performance must be maintained for a period of five years after completion.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In FY 2008, two continuation awards were made. Fiscal Year 2009: In FY 2009, two continuation awards were made. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0204-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $10,700,000; FY 09 est $10,700,000; FY 10 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Sharon Harris Department of Education, OII Technology in Education Programs, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: sharon.harris@ed.gov Phone: (202) 205-5880

Web Site Address

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

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: The Department funded a grant to Alabama Public Television and the Alabama State Department of Education to lead a multi-state collaborative effort to provide online staff development programs for educators. Eight state departments of education and their public broadcast station partners have joined together in this partnership to address the need for accessible professional development opportunities. Partners in the Alabama Public Television e-Learning for Educators project include the following States: Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Boston College, Education Development Corporation (EDC) and Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) are providing technical assistance, consultation, and evaluation. Alabama Public Television is administering the grant. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The Department uses the selection criteria contained in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) to evaluate applications to this program. The specific criteria to be used for a particular grant competition are selected from among these on 34 CFR 75, Section 75.210, and announced in the application package or the application notice in the Federal Register.