Ready-To-Learn Television (84.295)

Program

84.295 Ready-To-Learn Television

Federal Agency

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

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended. , Executive Order Title II, Part D, Subpart3, 20 U.S.C. 6775 A.

Program Number

84.295

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To facilitate student academic achievement by developing educational programming, with accompanying educational support materials, for preschool and early elementary school children and their families.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

The program makes awards to support the development and distribution of educational video programming and related outreach materials. Administrative costs are limited by the authorizing statute. Entities receiving a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement from the Secretary may not use more than five percent of the amounts received for the normal and customary expenses of administering the grant.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under Subsection (a) an entity shall be a public telecommunications entity that can demonstrate a capacity to: (1) develop and disseminate educational and instructional television programming nationwide; (2) contract with the producers of children's television programming; (3) negotiate such contracts in a manner that returns an appropriate share of ancillary income from sales of program-related products; and (4) localize programming and materials to meet specific State and local needs.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Programming is to be made widely available, with support materials as appropriate, to young children, their parents, child care workers, and Head Start providers.

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. This procedure is described in the application notice published annually in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters office listed below for application packages containing the announcement, application, and forms.

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed and evaluated by outside experts and program staff, in accordance with the administrative regulations governing the Evaluation of Applications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements (34 CFR 75, Subpart D).

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 60 days following the application deadline.

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 meeting the goals of the project or obtaining 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

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

Following an initial award of 12 months, four additional 1-year, non-competing continuation awards may be made, for a total term of 5 years. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

The recipient must submit an annual report. At a minimum, the report must describe the program activities including: (1) Programming that has been developed directly or indirectly and the target population of the programs developed; (2) supporting materials that have been developed to accompany the programming and the method by which materials are distributed to consumers and users of the programming; (3) the means by which programming developed under this Section has been distributed, including the distinct learning technologies that have been utilized to make programming available and the geographic distribution achieved through such technologies; and (4) the initiatives undertaken to develop public or private partnerships to secure nonfederal support to develop and distribute the broadcasting of educational and instructional programming. 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 is 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. See 34 CFR 74.26. 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 ED regulations implementing OMB Circular No. A-133 (see 34 CFR 80). 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 Circular No. A-133.

Records

As required by EDGAR for direct grant programs (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 or contract terms and conitions. (34 CFR 75.721). 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: Three continuation awards were made. Fiscal Year 2009: Three 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 $23,831,000; FY 09 est $25,416,000; FY 10 est $25,416,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

The regulations applicable to this program are in the 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

Joe Caliguro Department of Education, OII Technology in Education Programs 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: joseph.caliguro@ed.gov Phone: (202) 205-5449

Web Site Address

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

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Under the current Ready to Learn 5-year awards, which began in fiscal year 2005, WTTW-Channel 11 (Chicago public television) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) received awards to develop, produce, and distribute age-appropriate educational programming and curricula that utilize scientifically based reading research for children ages 2 through 8 years old, along with their parents and caregivers. WTTW-Channel 11 will develop four new literacy-based children's series, including Word World, Everyday Alphabet, and R U There. CPB is also developing several new literacy-based children's programs, including Super Why, the New Electric Company, and Martha Speaks. In addition to these new series, CPB will also support additional episodes of current series, such as Sesame Street and Between the Lions. 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 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 in 34 CFR 75, Section 75.210, and announced in the application package or the application notice in the Federal Register.