No. The Department encourages the applicant to determine the strategies and models that will best meet the needs of the target populations. The strategies and models must be based on scientifically based research.

Section 9101 (37) of the ESEA provides a broad definition of scientifically based research. That definition, provides, in part, that the term scientifically based research:

The full definition of scientifically based research can be found at this link: http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg107.html#sec9101. For the purposes of the FSCS program, an applicant could, for example, cite research, such as that which has been published in a peer reviewed journal, that supports the effectiveness of the models, interventions, strategies, or activities described in your application narrative. There should be some body of evidence that suggests that the strategies that the applicant proposes to employ have been found to be promising or effective.

FSCS funds can be used to establish a new or expand an existing FSCS. As long as monies from other funding sources are not commingled with FSCS grant funds, FSCS grant funds can be used to leverage those other funding sources to support the FSCS project.

No. There is no specific requirement regarding the number of pupils served. The applicant needs to consider whether the cost per pupil is reasonable in relation to the number of students served and the overall impact of grant funds on meeting the needs and particular circumstances of the target community. Serving a large number of students is not in and of itself necessarily a measure of success. The applicant should be able to demonstrate that the project is cost effective, and will achieve its intended results. On the other hand, the project should not serve such a small number of students that it will only have minimal impact. The applicant will need to determine what seems an appropriate balance between available resources and pupils served.

No. There is no preference based on state, region, type of community (i.e., rural vs. urban), type of school (elementary or secondary), number of FSCS sites, or the number of partners.

FSCS grant funds can be used to deliver services, coordinate services, or a combination of both.

The Department has not provided a definition of need in the context of the FSCS program. It is up to the applicant to define need in the context of the community being served.

While the application requirements do not specifically include designation of the school site(s), those requirements do include "descriptions of the students, families, and school community to be served, including information about the demographic characteristics and needs of the students, families, and community residents." In most cases, we believe that such descriptions would be specific to the particular school(s) that would participate in the project. Ultimately, an FSCS project must involve a public elementary or secondary school that will serve as the FSCS site.

Under the Absolute Priority that was published in the Federal Register for the FSCS program, applicants must provide a comprehensive plan that includes descriptions of the students, families, and school community to be served, including information about the demographic characteristics and needs of the students, families, and community residents, the estimated number of individuals to be served, and the frequency of services to be provided. Applicants should provide demographic characteristics appropriate to the needs and context of services proposed in the application. For example, an application proposing early childhood activities would involve different demographic information than an application proposing a high school-level dropout prevention and counseling program.