Voluntary Public School Choice (84.361)

 

Program

84.361 Voluntary Public School Choice

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT (OII), DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended; Title V, Part B, Subpart 3; 20 U.S.C. 7225-7225g.

 

Program Number

84.361

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide parents, particularly parents whose children attend low-performing public schools, with greater choice for their children's education.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Discretionary).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subpart may use the grant funds for: (1) planning or designing a program (for not more than 1 year); (2) the cost of making tuition transfer payments to public elementary schools or secondary schools to which students transfer under the program; (3) the cost of capacity-enhancing activities that enable high-demand public elementary schools or secondary schools to accommodate transfer requests under the program; (4) the cost of carrying out public education campaigns to inform students and parents about the program; and (5) other costs reasonably necessary to implement the program. An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subpart may not use the grant funds for school construction. The eligible entity may use not more than 5 percent of the funds made available through the grant for any fiscal year for administrative expenses.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The term `eligible entity' means: 1. one or more State educational agencies; 2. one or more local educational agencies; or 3. a partnership of one or more A. State educational agencies; and B. local educational agencies or other public, for-profit, or nonprofit entities; and C. public, for-profit, or nonprofit entities.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Public school students.

Credentials/Documentation

Not applicable.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Not applicable. 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

Applications must be prepared and submitted in accordance with a notice published in the Federal Register. By the due date, eligible applicants must submit to the U.S. Department of Education a complete application that addresses the purposes of the program, the selection criteria, and any priorities included in the application notice, and includes all required assurances and signatures.

Award Procedure

The Department of Education awards these grants on a competitive basis. The program office notifies successful applicants of awards and negotiates and awards grants. Contact the program office for more information.

Deadlines

Deadlines will be published in the Federal Register. Contact the program office for application deadlines and information.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

The General Education Provisions Act hearing procedures regarding recovery of funds are applicable to this program.

Renewals

Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards may be made for up to 5 years. Continuation awards are subject to the availability of appropriations.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this program annually shall submit to the Secretary a report of its operations and activities.

Audits

The financial records of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this subpart shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be subject to an annual audit by an independent public accountant.

Records

In accordance with the General Education Provisions Act and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), certain records must be retained for 3 years after the end of the grant.

 

Program Accomplishments

Thirteen awards were made in FY 2002.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0204-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $25,000,000; FY 03 est $25,831,000; and FY 04 est $25,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not available.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

 

Related Programs

84.282, Charter Schools.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

U.S. Department of Education, OII Parental Options and Information 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Rm. 3C156, FB- 6 Washington DC 20202-6140. Contact: Iris Lane E-mail Address iris.lane@ed.gov Telephone (202) 260-1999.

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OII/

 

Examples of Funded Projects

This is a new program. No examples are available.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The selection criteria contained in EDGAR, 34 CFR 75.209 and 75.210 are used to evaluate applications.