To the Administrator Addressed:

Subject: Ninth Grade Success Initiative
(SB 4: Basic Skills Programs for High School Students)

In Senate Bill 4, the 76^th Texas Legislature provided funding and outlined the provisions for the Basic Skills Programs for High School Students. The legislature appropriated a total of $42.5 million in each year of the biennium to be distributed to school districts through a competitive grant application process. This letter provides information to districts that may wish to design a program targeting the needs of students for which this initiative is intended and to consider submitting an application for funding.

The Ninth Grade Success Initiative provides that a school district may apply for funding of programs specifically designed for students in grade nine:

1. who are at risk of not earning sufficient credit to advance to grade 10, and who fail to meet minimum skills levels established by the commissioner; or
2. who have not earned sufficient credit to advance to grade 10, and who fail to meet minimum skills levels established by the commissioner.

In October 1999, the Request for Application (RFA) announcement letter that will be sent to all superintendents will be notification that the RFA is available and can be requested from the TEA Document Control Center. The RFA will outline the grant program and the application process. All applications for the Ninth Grade Success Initiative are to be submitted and administered through the district. However, districts that have more than one campus serving ninth grade students may submit a single application that is systemic and targets students at all the applicable campuses, or that includes distinctly separate programs, each designed to meet the unique needs and characteristics of specific campuses.

If you intend to apply for funding, please complete the enclosed Intent to Apply Form and return it to Geraldine Kidwell by September 24, 1999. If you have questions, you may contact the Division of Curriculum and Professional Development at 512/463-9581.