84.332 COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL REFORM DEMONSTRATION |
(CSR) |
FEDERAL AGENCY |
OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
AUTHORIZATION |
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended, Title I, Part F. |
OBJECTIVES |
The Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) program provides schools with funding to develop or adopt, and implement, comprehensive school reforms, grounded in scientifically based research and effective practices, that will help enable children in participating schools to meet challenging State standards. These reforms must be structured to address 11 critical elements included in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The elements establish, among other things, that each participating school must base its proposed reforms on a comprehensive design that employs innovative strategies and methods based on reliable research and practice, aligns reforms with the school's regular program and a school needs assessment, and uses high-quality external technical support and assistance from entities with experience and expertise in schoolwide reform and improvement. |
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
Formula Grants. |
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
All participating schools must use program funds to adopt and implement a comprehensive school reform program that: (1) employs proven methods and strategies based on scientifically-based research; (2) integrates a comprehensive design with aligned components; (3) provides high-quality professional development for teachers and staff; (4) includes measurable goals and benchmarks for student achievement; (5) is supported within the school by teachers, administrators, and staff; (6) provides support for teachers, administrators, and staff; (7) provides for meaningful parent and community involvement in planning, implementing, and evaluating school improvement activities; (8) uses high-quality external technical support and assistance from an external partner with experience and expertise in schoolwide reform and improvement; (9) plans for the evaluation of strategies for the implementation of school reforms and for student results achieved annually; (10) identifies resources to support and sustain the school's comprehensive reform effort; and (11) has been found to significantly improve the academic achievement of students or demonstrates strong evidence that it will improve the academic achievement of students. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770. |
Applicant Eligibility |
State educational agencies (SEAs). The subgrantees are local education agencies (LEAs) applying to their SEAs in collaboration with eligible schools within the LEAs. |
Beneficiary Eligibility |
State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and public schools. |
Credentials/Documentation |
Applications should demonstrate the existence of a State-wide plan for supporting research-based comprehensive school reform that describes the process and selection criteria by which competitive subgrants will be made; how the SEA will ensure that only high-quality comprehensive school reform programs are funded; how the SEA will provide information and assistance to school districts and schools; and how the SEA will evaluate results achieved in schools districts receiving assistance. |
Preapplication Coordination |
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." |
Application Procedure |
The Department allocates funds to any State with an approved application. |
Award Procedure |
The Department awards grants to States by formula. States then award grants to LEAs. |
Deadlines |
None. |
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
None. |
Appeals |
None. |
Renewals |
Grants are awarded to SEAs annually. Subgrants are for up to three years with annual renewals subject to the approval of the SEA and availability of funds. |
Formula and Matching Requirements |
Funds are available under Title I - Demonstrations of Innovative Practices Program. Then funds are appropriated for formual grants. Title I funds are allocated to SEAs based on Title I basic grant formula. There are no matching requirements. |
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
Funds awarded to SEAs must be obligated not later than September 30, 2001. |
Reports |
No annual reports are required as part of this program. |
Audits |
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. |
Records |
In accordance with the General Educational Provisions Act and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations, certain project records must be maintained for 5 years. |
Account Identification |
91-0900-2-1-501. |
Obligations |
(Grants) FY 07 $2,352,000; FY 08 est $1,605,000; and FY 09 est $0. Beginning in FY 06, funds no longer supported State grants. Funds have supported only the final years of the program's Quality Initiatives Grants and the Clearinghouse contract. |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
Funds support the Clearinghouse in 2008 - $1,605,000. |
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Not applicable - 2008 funds support the final year of the contract for the CSR Clearinghouse. |
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
34 CFR Part 76, regarding the program application package for SEAs. Contact the Program Office for more information. |
Regional or Local Office |
None. |
Headquarters Office |
Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Braden Goetz. E-mail: braden.goetz@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 260-0982. |
Web Site Address |
http://www.ed.gov/programs/compreform/index.html |
RELATED PROGRAMS |
84.010, Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies; 84.215, Fund for the Improvement of Education; 84.276, Goals 2000_State and Local Education Systemic Improvement Grants. |
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
Not appicable - FY 2008 funds support the final year of the CSR Clearinghouse contract. |
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
The criteria are contained in EDGAR. Contact the program office for additional information. |
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |