The applications are beginning to come in from districts for their share of the Title IID ARRA entitlement funds. I have had to ask for changes in several of those that I have received, because they were not done correctly or were incomplete. I am hoping that you can help me correct any confusion about how to complete this application, whether you are a person in district assisting in the writing of your own application or a regional consultant helping several districts with theirs.
There are two major issues:
The first deals with not completing all required sections, in particular both columns of page 5 that ask for the applicant to describe the planned use of funds and the accountability measures (how you will evaluate your use of funds in meeting Title IID program goals). Both of these sections must be completed for an application to be reviewed.
The second issue relates to the equitable services provision for private schools. Only ONE budget should be submitted with an application, and this should be for the total amount for which the district is eligible, including private school amounts. The detailed budget should note the private school expenses, but you do not need to submit separate budgets for private schools under Title IID, as the LEA is responsible for all expenditures. As stated in the USDoE guidance document for Equitable Services, “Under section 9501(d) of ESEA, the LEA must always maintain control of the program funds as well as title to all materials, equipment and property purchased with federal funds… only the LEA may obligate and expend federal funds on behalf of private school students and teachers. Thus, the LEA must purchase materials or procure services on behalf of the private school students and teachers. However, the LEA may use federal funds to reimburse an individual private school teacher, administrator, or other educational personnel for professional development that the LEA has pre-approved and that meets the reasonable and necessary cost principles of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-87.”
Still have questions? Contact me at Karen.kaplan@ct.gov.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Title IID ARRA Entitlement Application Posted
The moment you have been waiting for has arrived... The Title IID ARRA Entitlement Application has been posted! You can find it on the CSDE Website under the Request for Proposals link, or go directly to the Title IID ARRA page. (The application is located near the bottom of the Title IID ARRA page.)
Also on the Title IID ARRA page, you will note there are links to two other important documents. These documents list the amounts that must be considered when satisfying the equitable services provision of the law. You will need to review these documents in order to complete your entitlement application.
Applications are due no later than December 31, 2009, but will be reviewed and awarded as they are received. After the deadline, any unclaimed entitlement funds will be distributed via the competitive segment of the CT Title IID program. RFPs for competitive funds have not yet been announced, but information about them will be posted on this blog when available.
Also on the Title IID ARRA page, you will note there are links to two other important documents. These documents list the amounts that must be considered when satisfying the equitable services provision of the law. You will need to review these documents in order to complete your entitlement application.
Applications are due no later than December 31, 2009, but will be reviewed and awarded as they are received. After the deadline, any unclaimed entitlement funds will be distributed via the competitive segment of the CT Title IID program. RFPs for competitive funds have not yet been announced, but information about them will be posted on this blog when available.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Computer Assisted Writing Grant Awards
Congratulations to the following schools/districts for their successful proposals for the Computer Assisted Writing Program:
- Brooklyn Middle School, Brooklyn
- Roger's Park Middle School, Danbury
- Eastford Elementary School and Union School (Consortia), Eastford (fiscal manager)
- Fitch Middle School, Groton
- Hamden Middle School, Hamden
- Scofield Magnet Middle School, Stamford
- Sterling Community School, Sterling
- Windham Middle School, Windham
Unfortunately we could only fund the top eight scoring proposals - there were several others that were recommended for funding but we just didn't have enough to get to them! :-(
We look forward to hearing about the implementation (and successes!) of the above funded projects.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Title IID Entitlement Awards - Consortium Option
Although the application is not yet available (keep checking the Title IID Website and watch for notifications on this blog), there have already been many questions about obtaining these funds.
One question has been raised by some districts eligible only for very small entitlement (formula) amounts. The question is whether or not districts can apply as a consortium, thus combining their entitlements to receive enough money to actually make some impact. Though not explicitly discussed in the about-to-be-released application, the answer is YES.
To quote from the USDoE “Guidance on the Enhancing Education Through Technology (Ed Tech) Title IID Program:
“An eligible LEA may apply for Ed Tech formula grant funds as part of a consortium that includes other LEAs, institutions of higher education, educational service agencies, libraries, or other educational entities. Only an (eligible) LEA may serve as the fiscal agent for Ed Tech funds.”
To apply as part of a consortium, the same application form is to be used. On the Cover Sheet (page 3) of the application, under NAME OF APPLICANT DISTRICT", write the name of the LEA that will serve as the lead applicant, followed by the word CONSORTIUM APPLICATION. On the next line, ENTITLEMENT AMOUNT, list the total amount for which the consortium is eligible (total of all LEAs in consortium). On the bottom of the Cover Sheet list all the LEAs that are part of the consortium, followed by their entitlement amounts.
I know this is a bit confusing - especially prior to the release of the application - but I wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible so that planning for use of these funds can begin and LEAs are ready to move quickly once the application is released.
One question has been raised by some districts eligible only for very small entitlement (formula) amounts. The question is whether or not districts can apply as a consortium, thus combining their entitlements to receive enough money to actually make some impact. Though not explicitly discussed in the about-to-be-released application, the answer is YES.
To quote from the USDoE “Guidance on the Enhancing Education Through Technology (Ed Tech) Title IID Program:
“An eligible LEA may apply for Ed Tech formula grant funds as part of a consortium that includes other LEAs, institutions of higher education, educational service agencies, libraries, or other educational entities. Only an (eligible) LEA may serve as the fiscal agent for Ed Tech funds.”
To apply as part of a consortium, the same application form is to be used. On the Cover Sheet (page 3) of the application, under NAME OF APPLICANT DISTRICT", write the name of the LEA that will serve as the lead applicant, followed by the word CONSORTIUM APPLICATION. On the next line, ENTITLEMENT AMOUNT, list the total amount for which the consortium is eligible (total of all LEAs in consortium). On the bottom of the Cover Sheet list all the LEAs that are part of the consortium, followed by their entitlement amounts.
I know this is a bit confusing - especially prior to the release of the application - but I wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible so that planning for use of these funds can begin and LEAs are ready to move quickly once the application is released.
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