| Funding Available |
TO THE ELIGIBLE APPLICANT ADDRESSED:
March 10, 2000
SUBJECT: Request for Application (RFA) #701-00-014
Texas Head Start: Educational Component Grant Program
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications for the Texas Head Start Educational Component Grant Program from public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit organizations or agencies operating a federal Head Start program or similar government-funded early childhood care and education program, or shared services arrangement whose member organizations meet the above description.
The Texas Head Start Educational Component Grant Program is designed to provide educational services to children participating in the program so that each child is prepared to enter
school ready to learn after completing the program. The goals of the program are to: (1) ensure the implementation of effective professional development and curriculum materials through an
educational component of federal Head Start programs or similar government-funded early childhood care and education programs; and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of such programs.
Applications for the
Texas Head Start Educational Component Grant Program must be structured to include five pre-set components designed to enable a child to develop phonemic, print, and numeracy awareness; to
use language and communicate for a variety of purposes; to understand and use increasingly complex and varied vocabulary; to develop and demonstrate an appreciation of books; and to
progress toward mastery of the English language, if the child’s primary language is a language other than English. The allowable funding activities include planning, design,
implementation, and evaluation of an educational component that meets the conditions of the Request for Application (RFA); acquisition and implementation of pre-reading and
numeracy curriculum and materials; acquisition and implementation of required assessment materials; ongoing and intensive professional staff development, including training specifically
focused on the selected pre-reading and numeracy curriculum and materials and assessment materials. A strong evaluation design must include clear benchmarks to monitor progress toward
specific objectives and indicators to assess the impact on teaching and student learning.
The Texas Head Start Educational Component Grant Program will be implemented during the 2000 - 2001 school year. Applicants should plan for a starting date of no earlier than June 15, 2000 and an ending date of no later than June 30, 2001. Funding will be provided for approximately 20-25 projects. Each project will receive a maximum of $500,000 for the 2000 - 2001 school year. Project funding in the second year will be based on satisfactory progress of the first-year objectives and activities.
Applications will be selected based on 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 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 #701-00-014 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 Hellen Bedgood or Frank Saenz, Office of Statewide Initiatives, Texas Education Agency, (512) 463-9027. Applications must be received in the Document Control Center of the Texas Education Agency by 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Thursday, April 27, 2000, to be considered for funding.
Sincerely,
Robin Gilchrist, Assistant Commissioner
Office of Statewide Initiatives
For further information on this topic, contact contact Hellen Bedgood or Frank Saenz, Office of Statewide Initiatives, Texas Education Agency, (512) 463-9027.