SEA Applicaiton

Fiscal Year 2010

Striving Readers Comprehensive

Literacy Program,

Funding for State Literacy Teams

State Formula Grant Application

CFDA Number: 84.371B

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs

Washington, D.C. 20202-6200

OMB Number: 1810-xxxx

Expiration Date: xxxxxxx

Paperwork Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1810-XXXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 16 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4537. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: Miriam Lund, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Room 3E110, Washington, D.C. 20202-3118

Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy program (SRCL)

Purpose of the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program

The FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P. L. 111-117, the Act) provides $250 million under Section 1502 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for the Striving Readers program. For clarity, the Department has named the FY 2010 appropriation of the Striving Readers program the “Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy” program (SRCL). SRCL is a comprehensive literacy development and education program to advance literacy skills for students from birth through grade 12. In accordance with the statute, the Department is reserving $10 million for formula grants to assist States in creating or maintaining a State Literacy Team with expertise in literacy development and education for children from birth through grade 12 and to assist States in developing a comprehensive literacy plan.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are State Educational Agencies (SEAs). SEAs may apply for SRCL State Literacy Team formula grant funds by submitting an application to the U.S. Department of Education (Department).

Overview of Application

To receive a State Literacy Team formula grant under SRCL, the SEA must complete and submit an application to the Department that complies with the provisions herein. The submission will include a narrative response to each of the questions identified under the heading, “Specific Application Contents” (no more than 5 pages), the signed coversheet, and two signed assurance forms.

Each SEA that receives these funds must establish or support a State Literacy Team with expertise in literacy development and education for children from birth through grade 12 to assist the State in developing a comprehensive literacy plan.

The Application Process

***Applications are due 30 days from the date applications are available.

Applications may be submitted electronically or by paper submission.

Electronic submissions must be sent to: (We will develop an email address)

If submitting an application electronically, please send a follow-up paper copy of the cover page signed by the authorized representative.

If applying by paper submission, the original and 2 copies must be sent to the following address:

Miriam Lund

U.S. Department of Education

Lyndon Baines Johnson building

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Room 3E110

Washington, DC 20202-6200

THE REVIEW PROCESS

1. Applications for this program will be reviewed by a team of Department staff with expertise in literacy. Reviewers will read applications for completeness in addressing the statutory requirements and elements as outlined in the Specific Application Contents.

2. Upon completion of the review, the Department will contact SEAs that reviewers identified as having incomplete applications to gather additional information or clarification on the proposed activities and selected strategy or strategies. The reviewers’ comments may be used to provide feedback to SEAs, as appropriate.

3. Once the Department approves a State’s application, the Department will obligate the funds and SEAs may begin to draw down funds.

STRIVING READERS COMPREHENSIVE LITERACY PROGRAM

STATE FORMULA GRANT APPLICATION

APPLICATION COVER SHEET

(CFDA 84.371B)

The State of ______________________ pledges its commitment to create or maintain a State Literacy Team with expertise in literacy development and education for children from birth through grade 12 to assist the State in developing a comprehensive literacy plan.

Legal Name of Applicant (State Educational Agency): Applicant’s Mailing Address:	D.U.N.S. number:
State Contact for the Striving Readers State Literacy Formula Grant - State Literacy Team Name: Position and Office: Contact’s Mailing Address: Telephone: Fax: E-mail address:
To the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information and data in this application are true and correct.
Name and Title of Authorized Representative (Printed Name):		Telephone: E-mail:
Signature of Authorized Representative:		Date:

Specific Application Contents

State Literacy Team

Note: Responses to the questions in this section should be limited to five (5) pages total, single spaced.

1. Does the SEA currently have a State Literacy Team?

If yes, please describe the current State Literacy Team including membership and how members were selected, areas of expertise of each team member, team or team members’ involvement in current and/or past literacy initiatives, and lessons learned from the work of the Team.

If no, describe the SEA’s plan for establishing a State Literacy Team, including how members will be selected.

2. Describe how each member of the State Literacy Team meets the requirement to have expertise in the area of literacy development and education for children from birth through grade 12.

2. Describe how the State will ensure that the State Literacy Team includes representatives from different agencies and organizations including the SEA, local education agency, higher education and the research community.

2. Describe how the State Literacy Team will assist the SEA in developing a comprehensive literacy plan and what other functions it may serve.

2. Describe how the State Literacy Team will be managed and how decisions will be made.

2. Describe how the State will coordinate work of the State Literacy Team with other related teams, such as the Early Childhood Advisory Council, the Title I Committee of Practitioners, IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association, National Association of State Directors of Special Education, and State higher education committees.

State Literacy Team Membership

To apply for these funds, SEAs must submit the attached assurance that its State Literacy Team will meet the membership requirements set out in this application, including having the minimum number of members with the different types of expertise. Our intent is to allow SEAs some flexibility with regards to the positions held by State Literacy Team members; for example, one person may meet multiple expertise requirements, or a Team might need several people to meet one requirement.

 

By signing the assurance form, SEAs will be certifying that (1) they have a currently functioning team that meets the requirements, or (2) they will establish a team that meets the requirements.  The SEA is further certifying that in the event the State Literacy Team’s membership changes, the SEA will make every effort to ensure that it continues to meet all of the requirements.  The Department will require SEAs to submit annual performance reports that describe the State Literacy Team’s membership, activities, and accomplishments.

 

The SEA may choose to impose additional requirements on its State Literacy Team, provided that those additional requirements are consistent with the requirements set out in this application.  The assurance form includes space for an explanation of those additional requirements.

The SEA’s State Literacy Team must consist of a minimum of nine members with expertise in literacy development and education for children from birth through grade 12.

The State Literacy Team must assist the SEA to develop a comprehensive literacy plan. As a condition of this award, that plan must be submitted to the Department by February 1, 2011.

STATE LITERACY TEAM membership ASSURANCES

Directions: Please insert requested information in the shaded areas (may go over one page).

The State Educational Agency assures the following:

1) The State Literacy Team will consist of __ members (minimum of nine) with expertise in literacy development and education for children from birth through grade 12.

2) The State Literacy Team will include, at a minimum, individuals with expertise in --

• Literacy development and instruction for children in the following age/grade levels:

Birth to school entry

Kindergarten through grade 5

Grades 6 through 8

Grades 9 through 12

• Managing and implementing an effective literacy program at the school, district, and State levels

• Evaluation of literacy programs

• Using data for program improvement

• Planning for and implementing a response-to-intervention model that includes utilization of universal screening, multiple tiers of instruction, early intervening services, validated interventions, and student progress monitoring to inform decision-making

• Screening and performance measurement in the areas of phonological awareness, word recognition, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and writing

• Validated interventions and instruction for struggling readers, English Learners, and students with disabilities

• Teacher, coach, and principal professional development

• Teacher preparation and state licensure/accreditation in literacy development and instruction

3) The State Literacy Team will also include the following members and/or requirements:

Other suggested members may include: library/media specialists; parents; literacy coaches; instructors of adult education, representatives of community-based organizations providing educational services to disadvantaged children and families, family literacy service providers, representatives from local or State school boards, representatives from related child services agencies, representatives from related State or federal literacy programs, and other similar persons the SEAs deems necessary.

4) The SEA will submit a copy of the State’s comprehensive literacy plan developed by the State Literacy Team to the Department by February 1, 2011.

Authorized Representative (Printed Name):
Signature:	Date:

OTHER Assurances and certifications

The State authorized representative assures or certifies the following:

• The State will comply with all applicable assurances in OMB Standard Forms 424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs), including the assurances relating to the legal authority to apply for assistance; access to records; conflict of interest; merit systems; nondiscrimination; Hatch Act provisions; labor standards; flood hazards; historic preservation; protection of human subjects; animal welfare; lead-based paint; Single Audit Act; and the general agreement to comply with all applicable Federal laws, executive orders and regulations.

• With respect to the certification regarding lobbying in Department Form 80-0013, no Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the making or renewal of Federal grants under this program; the State will complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," when required (34 C.F.R. Part 82, Appendix B).
  
  
  

• The SEA agrees to the State plan certifications in 34 CFR 76.104.
  
  

• The State will comply with the following provisions of Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), as applicable: 34 CFR Part 76 -- State-Administered Programs; 34 CFR Part 77 -- Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations; 34 CFR Part 80 -- Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments, including the procurement provisions; 34 CFR Part 81 -- General Education Provisions Act—Enforcement; 34 CFR Part 82 -- New Restrictions on Lobbying; 34 CFR Part 85 -- Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement).

Authorized Representative (Printed Name):
Signature of Authorized Representative:	Date:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the total appropriation for the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (SRCL) program? The total appropriation for the SRCL program in Fiscal Year 2010 is $250 million. Of these funds, $10 million is available for State Literacy Team formula grants.

2. How did the Department determine each SEA’s allocation? The statute requires the Department to determined the amount of a State Literacy team grant for each SEA based on each State’s relative share of funds under part A of Title I of the ESEA for fiscal year 2009 (excluding those funds awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009). No State shall receive less $150,000 to establish or support a State Literacy Team.

3. What is the deadline for an SEA to apply? Applications will be due 30 days from the date the application becomes available (specific date to be determined).

4. Is this a one-time award or annual award? The continuation of this award will be dependent on future appropriations.

5. When will funds be available and for how long? The Department must obligate these funds by September 30, 2011. States must obligate these funds by September 30, 2012.

6. Will SEAs have to evaluate the effectiveness of the State Literacy Team? What kind of reporting will be required? Each SEA receiving funds for State Literacy Teams shall provide annually to the Secretary information on the status of the implementation of activities funded under this program. A formal, external evaluation is not required.

7. May the SEA impose additional requirements on the membership or activities of the Team? Yes, unless those requirements are inconsistent with the requirements established by the statute or by the Department.

8. How may the funds be used? State Literacy Team formula grant funds may be used for costs that are reasonable, necessary, and integral to the formation and administration of a State Literacy Team and for the development of the State comprehensive literacy plan. Additionally, in using these funds, States must comply with applicable federal regulations, particularly the cost principles contained in OMB Cost Circular A-87.

9. Will the Team be required to submit its comprehensive literacy plan to the Department? Yes. Each SEA receiving funds will be required to submit a comprehensive literacy plan to the Department by February 1, 2011. We intend to consider a State’s comprehensive literacy plan as part of the SRCL competitive grant program. The Department expects that applications for the SRCL competitive grant program will be available in early 2011 and due in spring, 2011 (actual dates to be determined).

10. What should be included in the comprehensive literacy plan? The comprehensive literacy plan must address the literacy needs of children from birth through grade 12, including students who are English learners and students with disabilities. It should also improve alignment and transition between grades. The plan should include the use of clear content standards in the areas of pre-literacy, reading and writing, and may include a system of screening assessments to inform instruction; guidance on the selection and use of evidence-based reading and writing curricula and targeted interventions; evidence-based teacher preparation and professional development aligned with standards; and a system of data collection, evaluation, and program improvement.