TO THE SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Eligibility for READ for Texas Competitive Grant Programs
The State of Texas was awarded a United States Department of Education (USDE) grant, under the Reading Excellence Act (REA), of approximately $36 million. The REA amends Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by adding a component to improve students' reading ability. The purpose is to implement a program designed to provide children in the greatest need with structured support in early childhood and the early grade levels in school so they become proficient readers. The Texas program is known as the Reading Excellence and Academic Development Program for Texas (READ for Texas).
The state level READ for Texas Program will be implemented during the 1999-2002 school years. There are two competitive state grant programs included in READ for Texas. The Local Reading Improvement (LRI) grant program, with an approximate funding level of $28.8 million, could impact up to 28 local districts. The Tutorial Assistance (TA) grant program with nearly $5.1 million in funds could impact up to 38 local districts. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will administer both grant programs as competitive grant programs. Local education agency (LEA) implementation of the awarded grants is scheduled to take place during the 1999--2002 school years.
The attachments to this letter explain the eligibility criteria and list the eligible LEAs under each program and by each criterion. Eligible applicants are those eligible using the most current data available to the Agency which is 1998-99 data. Based on clarification from USDE, applicants must be eligible at the time the LRI and TA grants are awarded (Spring, 2000). A preliminary list of eligible applicants at the time the REA grant was awarded to Texas was previously disseminated and included districts that may no longer be eligible due to the requirement that districts must be eligible at the time the state LRI and TA grants are awarded. Please review the attachments to determine your eligibility status.
If you have questions concerning the READ for Texas program, eligibility criteria, and/or available funds, please contact Marianne Vaughan or Hellen Bedgood in the Office of Statewide
Initiatives at the TEA (512-463-9027). Additional information will be forwarded to eligible applicants regarding READ for Texas activities for eligible districts.
Sincerely yours,
Robin Gilchrist
Assistant Commissioner
Office of Statewide Initiatives
For further information on this topic, contact Marianne Vaughan or Hellen Bedgood in the Office of Statewide Initiatives at the TEA (512-463-9027).