A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

ACTION REQUIRED

October 1, 2009

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

Subject: Student Success Initiative Grants

To assist districts with a transition year following the elimination of the Accelerated Reading Instruction/Accelerated Math Instruction (ARI/AMI) grant program, funding in the amount of $44,240,726 has been allocated for Student Success Initiative Grants (SSIG). Applicant districts will receive the funds as formula grants. The amount of each district’s award will be determined by the number of students who failed to meet satisfactory performance on the first administration of the 2009 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) Reading in grade 3 and TAKS Math in grade 5.  Based on FY 2010 funding levels, districts can expect to receive approximately one-third of last year’s ARI/AMI allocations, and those funds will be available for pre-award costs beginning September 1, 2009.

The purposes of this grant program are as follows:

• To provide financial assistance to Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charters as they meet the accelerated instruction requirements of the Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.006(g); and
• To provide financial assistance to Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charters as they meet accelerated instruction requirements mandated by House Bill 3 (81st Texas Legislature).

Districts may apply for the SSIG using a simple application submitted through the eGrants system.  It is anticipated that this application will open October 26, 2009, and will be available through Friday, November 20, 2009, at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time for districts to submit their applications. SSIG applications will be processed and awards made in the order in which the applications are received by TEA. The Notice of Grant Award will be sent to the grantee official of each eligible district/charter that requests these funds. This funding is non-competitive, and there is no minimum grant amount.

Additional SSIG opportunities are currently available to districts in the form of the Algebra Readiness Grants.  Applications for the 2009-2012 Algebra Readiness, Cycle 1 Grant are due October 29, 2009.  Information on future grant opportunities provided through this initiative, including college readiness grants, will be provided as it becomes available. Please visit the TEA eGrants website to find additional information about all TEA grant opportunities: http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms/GrantProgramSearch.aspx

Please direct questions regarding the SSIG program to the Division of Curriculum at (512) 463-9581 or curriculum@tea.state.tx.us. Please direct questions regarding the application process to Elaine Martinez at (512) 463-8525 or elaine.martinez@tea.state.tx.us.

Sincerely,

Lizzette G. Reynolds
Deputy Commissioner
Statewide Policy and Programs