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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

84.338:  Reading Excellence

Objectives:  To award grants to States to provide children with the readiness skills and support they need in early childhood to learn to read once they enter school; teach every child to learn to read once they enter school; teach every child to read by the end of the third grade; and, improve the instructional practices of teachers and other instructional staff in elementary schools.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

84.338 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  State educational agencies in any State, including DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Local school districts having at least one school in Title I School improvement status, districts with the highest or second highest percentages of poverty in the States, or districts with the highest or second highest number of poor children in the State.

Credentials/Documentation:  None.

84.338 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  The standard application forms are furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. The 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 selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:  Secure grant application forms and instructions from the Federal Register. Prepare and address submission according to published directions. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:  Applications are reviewed by independent panels of field readers. Panel recommendations are made on the basis of the applications requirements described in Public Law 105-277. Grants are awarded to the SEA by the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. For additional information contact the program office.

Deadlines:  Established for grants each year by notice published in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Two months from receipt of applications.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  Grants may be made for up to 3 years, subject to the availability of funds.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  To receive funding an SEA must submit information to the Department describing a reading and literacy partnership with the Governor, chief State school officer, the chair and ranking minority members of committees in the State legislature responsible for education policy, and representatives of local districts eligible to receive subgrants under this program, community-based organizations, State directors of Federal programs supporting reading instruction, parents, teachers, and family literacy service providers, plus a variety of optional participants. SEAs that receive funding are required to make subgrants on a competitive basis to: (1) Local districts that have at least one school in Title I school improvement status; (2) districts with the highest or second highest percentages of poverty in the State; or (3) districts with the highest or second highest number of poor children in the State.

Examples of Funded Projects:  This is a new program; examples have yet to be determined.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Range is from $2,011,000 to $36,000,000. Average award was $14,182,000 in fiscal year 1999.

84.338 RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

84.338 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, 17 awards were made.

84.338 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $260,000,000; FY 00 est $260,000,000; and FY 01 est $286,000,000.

Budget Account Number:  91-0011-2-1-501.

Authorization:  Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, Title II, Part C, as amended, Public Law 105-277.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Public Law 105-277. The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 75 (except 75-200 - 75-222), 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.

84.338 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  None.

Headquarters Office:  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Room 5C141, Washington, DC 20202. Phone: (202) 260-8228. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

84.338 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Grants may be made for up to 3 years, subject to the availability of funds.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  The Department awards grants to eligible State educational agencies in any State, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

84.338 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  A State educational agency that receives a grant must submit performance reports.

Audits:  In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records:  Records are to be maintained as indicated in the grant or contract award document.