A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

DATE:  March 5, 2008

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT:  Status of State and Federal Formula Grant Awards

The purpose of this letter is to provide local education agencies (LEAs) with the latest information, including important deadlines, for state and federal formula-funded grant programs administered by the Division of Formula Funding at the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Grant programs are listed below, along with their respective status as of March 5, 2008.

Deadlines – LEAs 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.” (34 CFR, Subtitle A, Subpart B, Section 74.14 and 80.12)

The following links are provided as additional resources:

• TEA Grant Opportunities – Link to http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms  to access the Formula Funding Toolbox, the TEA Grant Calendar, as well as the Two-month Calendar of Grant Submission and Reporting Due Dates.  The Formula Funding Toolbox is located near the bottom of the new web page.

• Texas Education Agency Secure Environment (TEA SE) – Both the eGrants and the TEA expenditure reporting (ER) system can be accessed at https://seguin.tea.state.tx.us/apps/logon.asp.  Also, be sure to take advantage of the TEA Grantee Profile feature in eGrants, which can be accessed from the upper left column on your main eGrants page.
• Formula Funding Listserv – If you have not yet subscribed to the Division of Formula Funding Listserv, please sign up now at http://miller.tea.state.tx.us/list/.

 

STATE-FUNDED GRANTS
Accelerated Reading Instruction & Accelerated Math Instruction (ARI/AMI) Grant
2007-2008 Grant Year:  Notices of Grant Award (NOGAs) for the 2007-2008 school year were issued through eGrants in fall 2007.  Grantees that did not satisfy reporting requirements for their 2006-2007 grants were eligible to receive only 25% of their 2007-2008 allocations.

Program Guidelines are posted at
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/reading/ordering/200708ARI_AMIGuide0807.pdf.

ER, including 10% reserve (if owed).Failure to complete the 2007-2008 reporting requirements by the established deadline could jeopardize grantees’ 2008-2009 ARI/AMI funding.

ARI/AMI critical deadlines are as follows: 

June 2, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments
August 31, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
September 30, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting CRI Report
October 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditure report
November 17, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditure report

2008-2009 Grant Year:  It is anticipated that the ARI/AMI grant application will become available in eGrants on August 2008 with an expected due date of October 1, 2008.
Automated External Defibrillator Reimbursement Grant (New)
2007-2008 Grant Year:  The Division of Formula Funding will soon be accepting automated external defibrillator (AED) reimbursement requests from school districts and open enrollment charter schools. Senate Bill 7, Section 39.017 requires that at least one AED be made available at each campus.  A reimbursement form with instructions and a link to the Commissioner’s Rules concerning AED reimbursements is estimated to be available May 2008 via the Formula Funding current announcements link at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/announce.html. The 80th Texas Legislature appropriated a total of $9 million in fiscal year 2008 to reimburse for costs associated with the purchase of these devices.
Grants for Student Clubs (New)  
2007-2009 Grant Years:  Eligibility criteria and formula allocations are currently being determined for a new pilot program created by the 80th Texas Legislature.  The program will provide grants for public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to fund academic or co-curricular (non-athletic) high school student club activities for students at risk of dropping out of school.  Grants for Student Club awards may not exceed $5,000 in a school year to a school district or charter school on behalf of a student club and must be matched in an amount equal to the amount of the grant.  A total of $2 million has been authorized to fund the pilot program for fiscal year 2008.  It is anticipated that the project period will be from May 1, 2008 – August 31, 2009.  It is currently estimated that the application will be available in early March 2008.  Please continue to monitor the TEA Grant Opportunities web page at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms for further updates, program details, and application information.
Intensive Reading Initiative and Intensive Math Initiative Programs (IRI/IMI)
2007-2009 Grant Years: The 80th Texas Legislature allocated funds for IRI and IMI programs for the 2007-2009 school years.  Campuses are eligible for funds based on their passing rates on the 2007 Grade 5 Reading Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and on the 2007 Grade 5 Mathematics TAKS. It is currently anticipated that the Cycle I application for eligible applicants will be available in eGrants in late March 2008.   The grant project period for Cycle I is expected to be May 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009, and the grant project period for Cycle II is expected to be September 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009.  Please continue to monitor the TEA Grant Opportunities web page at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms for further updates, program details, and application information.
Life Skills Program for Student Parents Grant (Formerly Pregnancy, Education, and Parenting [PEP])
2007-2008 Grant Year:  The reallocation amounts and revised NOGA totals are available via the Formula Funding program entitlements link at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/generalinformation/entitlementsbyprogram.html.    Grantees do not need to amend their application to add the increase.  The NOGA and Schedule #3 Budget Summary will be revised by TEA and mailed to the superintendent’s office.  Grantees are reminded that they may move up to 25% of their approved budget between existing class object codes without submitting an amendment.  

Life Skills Program for Student Parents Grant critical dates are as follows: 

June 2, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments
August 31, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
September 30, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting progress report
October 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditure report
November 17, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditure report

2008-2009 Grant Year:  The Life Skills Program for Student Parents grant is anticipated to be administered through the eGrants system.  Due to this change in application processing, the availability of the application may occur in mid to late summer 2008.  Please ensure staff is available to submit the application if the due date occurs in late June or July 2008.  The application availability date and due date will be announced on the Pregnancy Programs listserv, along with a letter mailed to the superintendent’s office.  If you are not a subscriber to the Pregnancy Programs listserv, please sign up now at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/pep.   Listserv information is located towards the bottom of the web page.
Limited English Proficient (LEP) Summer School Program
2006-2007 Grant Year:  Payments to LEAs for the 2006-2007 LEP Summer School program were processed in November 2007.

2007-2008 Grant Year:  Payments to LEAs for the 2007-2008 LEP Summer School program will be processed in November 2008.
Master Reading/Master Math/Master Science Teacher Grant Programs
2007-2008 Grant Year:  The online application for the Master Teacher Grant Program opened January 1, 2008, to accept data from LEAs with eligible campuses.  Between January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008, LEAs should enter the number of months taught by eligible teachers.  LEAs must designate master teachers by May 1, 2008. LEA approvers must submit the application at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/edex/masterteacher.html by June 30, 2008. 

Optional Extended Year Program (OEYP)
2007-2008 Grant Year:  LEAs can locate general OEYP funding and application information at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/oeyp. 
The 2007-2008 OEYP eGrants application closed February 28, 2008.  Beginning in mid-April 2008, eligible grantees can apply for reallocation funding by amending their OEYP application. 

Program Guidelines are posted at
http://maverick.tea.state.tx.us:8080/Guidelines/OEYP/OEYPAA08/OEYPAA08PP1100_G.pdf.

Reporting Requirements:  TEA will place 10% of the LEA’s grant amount in reserve pending completion of the following reporting requirements:

• submission of 2007-2008 PEIMS Submission 4 OEYP Participation Data via PEIMS EDIT +
• Note 1: Failure to submit this report will require a full refund of all OEYP grant funds.
• Note 2: Grantees that do not serve the required number of students may be required to refund money to TEA.

It is the LEA’s responsibility to meet all deadlines and track successful submission of all required reports.  TEA will release the 10% reserve after receipt of the required reports. Grantees are responsible for drawing down all of their reimbursements for their OEYP grants through ER, including the 10% reserve (if owed).

OEYP critical dates are as follows: 

March 28, 2008	2006-2007 deadline for submitting refunds
June 30, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments, including reallocation amendments
August 31, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
September 11, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting PEIMS Student Participation Data Submission 4
October 9, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised PEIMS Student Participation Data Submission 4
October 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditure report
November 17, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditure report

2008-2009 Grant Year:  The state OEYP allocation for 2008-2009 is $15.3 million.  Entitlements are expected to be posted in April 2008 at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/generalinformation/entitlementsbyprogram.html.  The application will be available on or about July 1, 2008.
Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program
2006-2007 Grant Year:  The reconciliation for the Cycle 12 (2006-2007) Prekindergarten Expansion Grant occurred in November 2007.  All grantees were mailed a reconciliation letter stating whether the LEA earned the funding they were paid or if a refund was due. TEA is requesting that all outstanding refunds be paid as soon as possible if your LEA received a refund due letter, and you have not requested a review of the PEIMS data due to coding errors.

2007-2008 Grant Year: The Cycle 13 (2007-2008) Prekindergarten Expansion Grant NOGAs will remain on hold until all refunds have been received. 

Prekindergarten Expansion Grant critical dates are as follows: 

June 30, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments
August 31, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
October 15, 2008	2007-2008 grant deadline for submitting Cycle 13 final expenditure report
November 17, 2008	2007-2008 grant deadline for submitting Cycle 13 revised final expenditure report

2008-2009 Grant Year:   The 2008-2009 Cycle 14 Prekindergarten Expansion Grant will remain a continuation grant with the current (2007-2008 Cycle 13) eligible grantees.

Please monitor the TEA Correspondence page of the TEA website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/taa/sortf.cgi?command=bydate for a statewide letter addressing the continuation of the Cycle 14 (2008-2009) Prekindergarten Expansion Grant with the same eligible grantees as the Cycle 13 (2007-2008) grant.  Also, an announcement will be made on the Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Listserv and in the Formula Funding Toolbox on TEA’s Grant Opportunities web page at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms.   
Reading/Language Acquisition Grant (New)  
2007-2008 Grant Year:  It is anticipated that the eligibility list, grant application, and project timeline information will be available in April 2008. Please continue to monitor the TEA Grant Opportunities web page at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms for further updates, program details, and application information.
Texas Fitness Now Grant Program
2007-2008 Grant Year:  TEA has reallocated the remaining grant funds to all Texas Fitness Now grantees.  Grantees do not need to amend their application to add the increase.  The NOGA, Schedule #3 Budget Summary, and corresponding support schedule(s) have been revised by TEA and mailed to the superintendent’s office.  Grantees are reminded that they may move up to 25% of their approved budget between existing class object codes without submitting an amendment. A list of reallocation amounts per campus has been posted to the Formula Funding program entitlements webpage at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/generalinformation/entitlementsbyprogram.html. 

Program Guidelines are posted at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/pe/tfn/proguide.doc. 

Reporting Requirements:  It is anticipated that the end-of-year report will be due to TEA in May or June 2008.

Texas Fitness Now Grant critical dates are as follows: 
 

June 30, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments
August 31, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
October 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditure report
November 17, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditure report

State-funded grants related to Special Education, Deaf, and Visually Impaired services are addressed in the following section under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Services for the Deaf.

 

FEDERALLY FUNDED GRANTS
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
2007-2008 Grant Year:LEAs can locate information about the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) formula grants at
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/carlperkins/index_2.html.
TEA posted reallocation amounts in February 2008 at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/generalinformation/entitlementsbyprogram.html.

Program Guidelines are posted at
http://maverick.tea.state.tx.us:8080/Guidelines/Perkins/PERKAA08/PERKAA08PP1100_G.pdf.

Reporting Requirements:  TEA reminds grantees that 10% of their NOGA amount is held in reserve until all reporting requirements and any special requirements, such as Performance Based Monitoring Intervention (PBMI) requirements, are satisfied.  TEA staff will release the 10% reserve when a grantee meets all reporting requirements. Grantees are responsible for drawing down their full reimbursement amounts through ER, including the 10% reserve (if owed).
 
Carl D. Perkins Grant critical dates are as follows:

March 14, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting equipment requests
May 1, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments
June 30, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
August 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditure report
September 2, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting grant application
September 2, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting Final Program Evaluation and Use of Funds reports
September 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditure reports

2008-2009 Grant Year:  It is anticipated that the Perkins Applicant Designation and Certification form will be available in eGrants on May 15, 2008.  The application should open on or about June 1, 2008. 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Services for the Deaf
2007-2008 Grant Year:  The projected date for posting 2007-2008 maximum entitlements is early March 2008.  TEA will notify the Education Service Centers (ESCs) when maximum entitlements have been released.  Entitlements will be made available to LEAs via the automated Web SAS, which can be accessed at http://barton.tea.state.tx.us/websas. 

Program Guidelines can be found in the Administrator’s Guide at
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/funding/pdf/admin08.pdf.

IDEA-B Formula, IDEA-B Formula (Deaf), IDEA-B Preschool, and IDEA-B Preschool (Deaf) critical dates are as follows:

May 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments
June 30, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
August 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditure reports
September 2, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting grant application
September 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditure report
October 1, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for new/revised Shared Services Arrangements (SSAs) contracts for Special Education and Regional Day School Programs for the Deaf
October 22, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting student data for Newly Opened charter schools for: ▪  IDEA-B Formula ▪  IDEA-B Preschool
November 24, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting student data for Significantly Expanded charter schools for: ▪  IDEA-B Formula ▪  IDEA-B Preschool

IDEA-B Discretionary, IDEA-B Discretionary (Deaf), IDEA-B Discretionary (Other 1), IDEA-B Discretionary (Other 2), IDEA-B Discretionary (Other 3), IDEA-B Discretionary (Other 4),
IDEA-B Discretionary High Cost, IDEA-B Discretionary Residential, State Deaf, and State Supplemental Visually Impaired (SSVI) critical dates are as follows:

May 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting applications and amendments for: ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary (Deaf) ▪  State Deaf ▪  SSVI
August 29, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting applications and amendments for: ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary (Other 1) ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary (Other 2) ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary (Other 3) ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary (Other 4) ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary High Cost ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary Residential
August 31, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
September 2, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting grant application for: ▪  IDEA-B Discretionary (Deaf) ▪  State Deaf ▪  SSVI
October 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditure report
November 17, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditure report

IDEA-D Deaf Blind and IDEA-C Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) critical dates are as follows:

May 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments
September 2, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting grant application
September 30, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date
November 17, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditure report
December 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditure report

2008-2009 Grant Year:  The Special Education/Services for the Deaf Consolidated Grant Application is anticipated to be administered through the eGrants system.  The consolidated grant application will include the following grant programs:

▪  IDEA-B Formula
▪  IDEA-B Formula (Deaf)
▪  IDEA-B Preschool
▪  IDEA-B Preschool (Deaf)
▪  IDEA-C Early Childhood Intervention (Deaf)
▪  IDEA-D Deaf Blind
▪  State Deaf
▪  SSVI

Additional information and training is forthcoming through the Texas Education Telecommunication Network (TETN).  Tentative entitlements are expected to be released on May 30, 2008.  Information regarding new and/or revised SSAs procedures can be found at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/formfund/specialed/072006SSAproceduresforspecialeducation.doc.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act
2007-2008 Grant Year:  Maximum entitlements for 2007-2008 have been calculated for the programs listed below:

Title I, Part A	Title II, Part D
Title I, Part C	Title III, Part A—LEP
Title I, Part D, Subpart 1	Title III, Part A—Immigrant
Title I, Part D, Subpart 2	Title IV, Part A
Title II, Part A	Title V, Part A

TEA staff will adjust budgets to incorporate the maximum entitlement amounts.  LEAs will begin receiving email notifications of revised NOGAs, adjusted budgets, and maximum entitlements.

Reminder of Earlier Deadline for NCLB Compliance Report
The NCLB compliance report PR7000 – Private Nonprofit School Participation for the
2007-2008 school year will be made available in eGrants in the LEA’s Grantee Profile on or about March 5, 2008, with a submission deadline date of April 30, 2008. This compliance report collects from school districts the following: number of private nonprofit schools, number of students enrolled in those private nonprofit schools, and number of low-income students enrolled in those private nonprofit schools.  These data are required in order to determine eligibility and funding for the Title IV, Part A program for 2008-2009.  School districts that miss the deadline will not be funded for private nonprofit student enrollments for Title IV, Part A for the 2008-2009 school year.

Program Guidelines for the NCLB Consolidated Federal Grant Application are posted at
http://198.214.97.41:8080/Guidelines/NCLB/NCLBAA08/NCLBAA08PP1100_G.pdf.  Program Guidelines for the Title I—School Improvement Program are posted at
http://maverick.tea.state.tx.us:8080/Guidelines/NCLB/NCLBAB08/NCLBAB08PP1100_G.pdf.  Program Guidelines for the Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2 Rural and Low-Income Schools Program are posted at http://maverick.tea.state.tx.us:8080/Guidelines/NCLB/RLISAA08/RLISAA08PP1100_G.pdf.

NCLB critical dates are as follows:

April 30, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting PR7000 – Private Nonprofit School Participation (This deadline impacts 2008-2009 NCLB funding for Title IV, Part A and is reported by public school districts only.)
April 30, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting SC5010 – Data Request Form for Federal Funding (only for charter schools, South Texas ISD, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Texas School for the Deaf, Texas Youth Commission, Windham School District )
May 1, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting amendments for: ▪  NCLB Consolidated Application for Federal Funding ▪  Title I—School Improvement Program ▪  Title I—School Improvement Program (SIP) Academy Grant ▪  Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2 Rural and Low-Income Schools Program
June 30, 2008	2007-2008 project grant end date for: ▪  NCLB Consolidated Application for Federal Funding ▪  Title I—School Improvement Program ▪  Title I—School Improvement Program (SIP) Academy Grant ▪  Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2 Rural and Low-Income Schools Program
August 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting: ▪  Gun-Free Schools District Compliance Report ▪  NCLB Consolidated Compliance Report

August 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting final expenditures for: ▪  NCLB Consolidated Application for Federal Funding ▪  Title I—School Improvement Program ▪  Title I—School Improvement Program (SIP) Academy Grant ▪  Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2 Rural and Low-Income Schools Program
September 4, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting the NCLB Consolidated Application for Federal Funding
September 15, 2008	2007-2008 deadline for submitting revised final expenditures for: ▪  NCLB Consolidated Application for Federal Funding ▪  Title I-School Improvement Program ▪  Title I—School Improvement Program (SIP) Academy Grant ▪  Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2 Rural and Low-Income Schools Program
October 15, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting Annual Survey of Highly Qualified (HQ) Teachers
November 3, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for new charter schools submitting SC5010-Data Request Form for Federal Funding
December 1, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for new charter schools to submit the NCLB Consolidated Application for Federal Funding
December 5, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting Title I Part A Comparability Computation Form (CCF) via email
December 5, 2008	2008-2009 deadline for submitting Title I Part A CCF Assurance Document by FAX
December 5, 2008	2009-2010 deadline for submitting SC9000- Survey of Children in Local Facilities for the Neglected and/or Delinquent for Title I, Part A and/or Title I, Part D, Subpart 2 funding
December 31, 2008	2009-2010 deadline for submitting SSP-207 Annual Survey of Children in State Agency Facilities for Neglected or Delinquent Children, Adult Correctional Facilities, or Community Day Programs for Neglected or Delinquent Children (Texas Youth Commission and Windham School District only)

2008-2009 Grant Year:  The SC5010 – Data Request Form for Federal Funding for school year 2008-2009 for charter schools, South Texas ISD, and specific state schools is now available in eGrants, with a submission deadline date of April 30, 2008.  In an effort to provide the NCLB planning amounts earlier, this deadline date is required.  A detailed letter concerning the NCLB funding process was mailed to charter schools, South Texas ISD, and specific state schools in February 2008.

Charter schools will be notified of eligibility and planning amounts via certified mail.  A specific date of notification cannot be provided at this time, as it will depend on TEA’s receipt of the 2008-2009 Title I, Part A allocations for the state from the U.S. Department of Education. 

New charter schools that are opening for the first time have an alternate deadline of
November 3, 2008, for submitting the SC5010 – NCLB Data Request Form for Federal Funding.  If you have questions, contact Dina Hernandez in the Division of Formula Funding at (512) 463-8525 or e-mail your questions to formulafunds@tea.state.tx.us.

The Title VI, Part B- 2008-2009 Rural and Low-Income Schools Program applications are anticipated to be available by the end of September 2008, with a due date in mid to late November 2008.  Please visit TEAs Grant Opportunities web page at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms for further updates, program details, and application information.

If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Formula Funding at (512) 463-8525.

Sincerely,

Nora Ibáñez Hancock, Ed.D.
Associate Commissioner
Office for Planning, Grants and Evaluation