TO THE ELIGIBLE APPLICANT ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Request for Application (RFA) #701-07-121
Early College High School Grant, Cycle 2
Eligible Applicants:
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications under Request for Application (RFA) #701-07-121 from school districts or open-enrollment charter schools and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to create an Early College High School (ECHS). The purpose of the ECHS Grant is to ensure the success and sustainability of Early College High Schools, which give students who typically would not pursue postsecondary studies an opportunity to complete high school and 60 hours of college-level coursework in an academically supportive environment.
Description of Program:
ECHS are autonomous, small schools serving grades 9 through 12 while providing a seamless transition between high school and college. An ECHS provides for a course of study that enables a participating student to receive both a high school diploma and either an associate degree, or at least 60 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree.
The purpose of this program is to ensure the formation as well as continued success and sustainability of ECHS. Through a collaborative partnership with an IHE, ECHS will give traditionally underserved students (on campuses with a high percentage of at-risk, economically disadvantaged students, and first-time college goers) an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and 60 credit hours toward an associate’s degree and/or a baccalaureate degree in an academically supportive environment and at no cost to the student.
The primary goals of the ECHS Grant are to:
- Increase student achievement, as evidenced through on-going improvement in TAKS scores for 10th grade and exit level years and increased credit accrual;
- Increase the number of students who graduate from high school college-ready, as demonstrated through credit accrual; Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Associate’s degree, dual credit, and concurrent enrollment participation; and, enrollment in rigorous coursework in a college preparatory curriculum; and
- Increase the college readiness and success of students as demonstrated through persistence of students in college.
Project Funding:
The ECHS Grant program will be implemented during the 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 school years. Applicants should plan for a starting date of no earlier than February 1, 2008, and an ending date of no later than May 31, 2010. Funding will be provided for approximately 5-10 project(s). Applicants may apply for up to $125,000 to plan an ECHS during the 2007-2008 school year. Districts with 5,000 or more students may apply for up to $100,000 for year 2 of the program and $200,000 for year 3. Districts with less than 5,000 students may apply for $100,000 each year for year 2 and year 3 of the program. Each project will receive a maximum of $425,000 for the three-year grant period. Project funding in the second and third years will be based on satisfactory progress of the first- and second-year objectives and activities, respectively.
Selection Criteria:
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 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. Special consideration (or priority) will be given to applicants that plan to open an ECHS on a college campus. 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.
Requesting the Application:
A complete copy of RFA #701-07-121 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 telephone number including area code. The RFA will also be posted on the TEA Grant Opportunities website at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms for viewing and downloading. In the “Select Search Options” box, select the name of the program/RFA from the drop-down list. Once you have selected the name of the grant program, scroll down to the “Application and Support Information” to view all documents that pertain to this RFA.
Information Session:
An optional information session will be held on September 6, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on the Texas Education Telecommunications Network (TETN) available at each regional Education Service Center (ESC) (TETN Event #25723). A required technical assistance session will be held on September 26, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on the TETN available at each ESC (TETN Event #25724). In order to locate the nearest TETN facility, please contact the TETN site manager at your regional ESC. Contact information can be found at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/ESC/. The information session will be open to all potential applicants and will provide prospective applicants an opportunity to receive general and clarifying information about the program and RFA.
For Further Information:
For clarifying information about the RFA, contact Kelty Garbee, Division of Education Initiatives, TEA, (512) 936-6060. In order to assure that no prospective applicant may obtain a competitive advantage because of acquisition of information unknown to other prospective applicants, any additional information that is different from, or in addition to, information provided in the RFA will be provided only in response to written inquiries. Copies of all such inquiries and the written answers thereto will be posted on the TEA website in the format of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms. In the “Select Search Options” box, select the name of the program/RFA from the drop-down list. Scroll down to the “Application and Support Information” to view all documents that pertain to this RFA
Deadline for Receipt of Applications:
Applications must be received in the Document Control Center of TEA by 5:00 PM (Central Time), Tuesday, October 23, 2007, to be eligible to be considered for funding.
Sincerely,
Nora Ibáñez Hancock, Ed.D.
Associate Commissioner
Office for Planning, Grants and Evaluation
