| Funding Available |
August 31, 1999
TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Request for Application (RFA) #701-99-027
Texas After-School Initiative for Middle School
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications from eligible school districts or shared services arrangements (formerly cooperatives) of school districts to implement, for students of middle school age, quality after-school programs that include the identified three required components and the additional specifications identified in House Bill 1, General Appropriations Act, Rider 64, 76th Texas Legislature. Open-enrollment charter schools and education service centers are not eligible for this grant program.
The Texas After-School Initiative for Middle School is to be implemented for students of middle school age, 10 through 14 years old, who attend schools in high-risk/high-crime zip codes as identified by the juvenile referrals gathered by the Texas Criminal Justice Policy Council. The students attend schools with physical addresses in the designated zip codes or reside in the designated zip codes. To determine a district's eligibility for this grant program, a list of designated zip codes is enclosed. The primary purpose of the program is to serve students at risk of academic failure and/or at risk of committing juvenile offenses. Campuses within districts develop proposals that directly address the needs of students and schools incorporating the following three required components:
1. an academics-based curriculum linked to the Texas
Essential Knowledge and Skills,
2. a character/citizenship education component,
and
3. a plan for parental and/or mentor
involvement.
The Texas After-School Initiative for Middle School has three major goals for students of middle school age: to increase academic achievement for participating students; to decrease the referrals to the juvenile justice system for participating students; and, to involve parents and/or mentors.
The Texas After-School Initiative for Middle School will be implemented during the 1999-2000 school year. Applicants should plan for a starting date of no earlier than January 3, 2000, and an ending date of no later than August 31, 2000.
Funding will be provided for approximately 100 projects. Projects are funded based on a predetermined range as follows:
1. An application for one site will qualify for
a grant not to exceed $75,000 for the 1999-2000
school year.
2. An application for two to four sites will
qualify for a grant not to exceed $150,000
for the 1999-2000 school year.
3. An application for five sites or more
will qualify for a grant not to exceed
$225,000 for the 1999-2000 school year.
A single district may submit more than one application for different programs serving different campuses. Each application will be reviewed, scored, and selected separately. Project funding in the second year will be based upon satisfactory progress of the first-year objectives and activities and on general budget approval.
Applications 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 program and the extent to which the application addresses the primary objective(s) and intent of the project. Applications must address each requirement as specified in the RFA to be considered for funding. The 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.
The TEA is not obligated to approve an application, provide funds, or endorse any application submitted in response to this RFA. This RFA does not commit TEA to pay any costs before an application is approved. The issuance of this RFA does not obligate TEA to award a grant or pay any costs incurred in preparing a response.
A complete copy of RFA #701-99-027 may be obtained by writing the Document Control Center, Room 6-108, Texas Education Agency, William B. Travis Building, 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701; by calling (512) 463-9304; by faxing (512) 463-9811; or by e-mailing dcc@tea.state.tx.us. Please refer to the RFA number and title in your request. Provide your name, complete mailing address, and phone number including area code.
For clarifying information about the RFA, contact Geraldine Kidwell, Division of Curriculum and Professional Development, at (512) 463-9581.
Applications must be received in the Document Control Center of the Texas Education Agency by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time), Thursday, October 21, 1999, to be considered.
Sincerely,
Ann Smisko
Associate Commissioner Curriculum,
Assessment, and Technology
For further information on this topic, contact Geraldine Kidwell, Division of Curriculum and Professional Development, at (512) 463-9581.