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A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download
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COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE November 4, 2011 TO THE ELIGIBLE APPLICANT ADDRESSED: SUBJECT: Request for Application # 701-12-101 2012-2014 Public Charter School Start-Up Grant The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications under request for application (RFA) # 701-12-101. Eligible ApplicantsThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications under RFA #701-12-101 from eligible charter schools to provide initial start-up funding for planning and/or implementing charter school activities. This competitive grant opportunity is available for charter schools that meet the federal definition of a charter school, have never received Public Charter Schools Program start-up funds, and are one of the following: (1) a campus charter school approved by its local board of trustees pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 12, Subchapter C, on or before November 30, 2011, that submits all required documentation as required by the RFA and previously described in the "To the Independent School District Administrator Addressed" letter dated August 10, 2011; (2) an open-enrollment charter school approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE) under the Generation 16 charter application pursuant to the TEC, Chapter 12, Subchapter D; (3) a college, university, or junior college charter school approved by the SBOE pursuant to the TEC, Chapter 12, Subchapter E; or (4) an open-enrollment charter school designated by the commissioner of education on or before January 12, 2012, as a new school under an existing charter. For a charter awarded by the SBOE under the Generation 16 application, all contingencies pertaining to the charter application and approval must be cleared and a contract issued to the charter holder prior to applying for grant funding. Charter schools that have been notified of contingencies to be cleared prior to receiving a charter contract should be diligent in working with TEA to complete this process so that a grant application may be completed and submitted by the deadline date. Purpose of ProgramThe purpose and goals of the 2012-2014 Public Charter School Start-Up Grant program are to provide financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools and expand the number of high-quality charter schools available to students. Project FundingApproximately $8.8 million is available for funding the 2012-2014 Public Charter School Start-Up Grant. It is anticipated that approximately 20 grants of no more than $600,000 each will be awarded. Applicants that are in their first or second year of eligibility may apply for grant funding if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, if selected for funding, the award amount will be prorated based on the remaining months of eligibility. This project is funded 100 percent with federal funds. Project PeriodThe 2012-2014 Public Charter School Start-Up Grant will be implemented during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years. Applicants should plan for a starting date of no earlier than May 1, 2012, and an ending date of no later than July 31, 2014. Selection CriteriaApplications will be selected based on the independent reviewers' assessment of each applicant's ability to carry out all requirements contained in the RFA. Reviewers will evaluate applications based on the overall quality and validity of the proposed grant programs and the extent to which the applications address the primary objectives and intent of the project. Applications must address each requirement as specified in the RFA to be considered for funding. TEA reserves the right to select from the highest-ranking applications those that address all requirements in the RFA and that are most advantageous to the project. How to ApplyThis RFA is in paper format. It must be downloaded, completed on the applicant’s computer desktop, printed, and submitted by mail or hand delivery. The complete RFA is posted on the TEA Grant Opportunities page at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms/GrantProgramSearch.aspx for viewing and downloading. In the “Select Search Options” box, select the name of the RFA from the drop-down list. Scroll down to the “Application and Support Information” section to view all documents that pertain to this RFA. Applicants’ ConferenceAn applicants’ conference will be held by webinar on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To reserve a webinar seat, go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/950507154. The system requirements for PC-based attendees are Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, or Vista. The requirements for Macintosh-based attendees are Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later. Each person attending will be required to register the representative’s name and the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant organization. Reporting RequirementsLEAs that are awarded grants are responsible for meeting all required deadlines. Failure to meet deadlines may result in loss of funds and could cause the LEA to be identified as “high risk.” For Further InformationIn order to assure that no prospective applicant may obtain a competitive advantage because of acquisition of information unknown to other prospective applicants, any and all questions pertaining to the RFA must be submitted in writing to the TEA contact person listed on the Deadline for Receipt of ApplicationsSix copies of the application, with an original signature on Schedule #1—General Information on three of the copies (blue ink preferred), must be received by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time), Thursday, January 12, 2012, to be eligible to be considered for funding. Send the application to the following address:
Laura Taylor |
