FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Request for Application (RFA Discretionary)

Bureau / Office
Division of Public Schools/Student Achievement/Bureau of Federal Educational Programs/Title I Programs and Academic Intervention Services

Program Name
Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2, Rural and Low-Income Schools Program

Specific Funding Authority (ies)
CFDA#84.358, P.L. 107 – 110, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2

Funding Purpose/Priorities
The purpose of this program is to meet the unique needs of rural and low-income local educational agencies (LEA) by providing resources and flexibility to supplement selected NCLB priorities.  Challenges faced by these LEAs often include the lack of personnel and resources needed to compete effectively for federal competitive grants and formula grant allocations in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purpose.

Each eligible LEA must implement strategies to address the four (4) targeted goals of the program.
•	Decrease the proportion of the cohort of students 4th -10th grade scoring non-proficient on Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) reading, mathematics, and writing by 10 percent each school year through 2013-2014
•	Each participating LEA will decrease the proportion of all students scoring non-proficient on FCAT reading, mathematics, and writing by 10 percent each school year through 2013-2014
•	Cut the average gap between minority and non-minority 20 percent each school year through 2013-2014
•	Each participating LEA will decrease the proportion of high school students not earning a standard diploma by 10 percent each school year through 2013-2014

Type of Award
Discretionary

Total Funding Amount  (Preliminary)
$2,962,430.00

Budget Period  
July 31, 2011- September 30, 2012

Program Performance Period 
July 31, 2011- September 30, 2012

Target Population
Target populations include Florida K-12 students, educators, administrators, staff, and parents in rural LEAs

Eligible Applicant(s)
Eligible LEAs must satisfy the following criteria:
•	Meet the federal definition of “rural”
•	20 percent or more of the children age 5 to 17 served by the LEA are from families with incomes below the poverty line; 
•	All schools served by the LEA must have a school locale code of 6, 7, or 8 (assigned by the US Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics); and
•	May not be eligible for Title VI, Part B, Subpart 1, the Small, Rural School Achievement Program. 

The complete list of eligible LEAs is attached to this application.

Application Due Date
July 31, 2011

The due date refers to the date of receipt in Grants Management. For Federal programs, the project effective date will be the date that the application is received within DOE meeting conditions for acceptance, or the date of receipt of the Federal Award Notification, whichever is later.  For State programs, the project effective date will be no earlier than the effective date of the legislative appropriation, usually July 1. The ending date can be no later than June 30, of the fiscal year unless otherwise specified in statute or proviso. 

Contact Persons
Technical Support with On-line Application: Felicia Williams-Elliott, Director, Office of Federal Programs, by phone at (850) 245-0093; email at Felicia.Elliott@fldoe.org 

Project Application Program Support: Jessie Simmons, Educational Consultant, by phone at (850) 245-0682; email at Jessie.Simmons@fldoe.org or contact Cynthia Milton, Program Specialist IV, by phone at (850) 245-9984; email at Cynthia.Milton@fldoe.org.

Grants Management: 
Kinisha Murphy, Office of Grants Management, 850-245-0731, or via e-mail at: Kinisha.Murphy@fldoe.org 

Assurances
The Department of Education has developed and implemented a document entitled, General Terms, Assurances and Conditions for Participation in Federal and State Programs, to comply with:

•	34 CFR 76.301 of the Education Department General Administration Regulations (EDGAR) which requires local educational agencies to submit a common assurance for participation in federal programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education;
•	applicable regulations of other Federal agencies; and
•	State regulations and laws pertaining to the expenditure of state funds.

In order to receive funding, applicants must have on file with the Department of Education, Office of the Comptroller, a signed statement by the agency head certifying applicant adherence to these General Assurances for Participation in State or Federal Programs. The complete text may be found at http://fldoe.org/comptroller/doc/gbsectiond.doc.

School Districts, Community Colleges, Universities and State Agencies
The certification of adherence filed with the Department of Education Comptroller’s Office shall remain in effect indefinitely unless a change occurs in federal or state law, or there are other changes in circumstances affecting a term, assurance, or condition; and does not need to be resubmitted with this application.

No Child Left Behind Assurances (Applicable to All Funded Programs)
No Child Left Behind Assurances (Applicable to All Funded Programs)
By my signature on this application, I hereby certify that the ______ District will comply with the following requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001:

The LEA assures that, under Sec. 9528, it will comply with a request by a military recruiter or an institution of higher education for secondary students' names, addresses, and telephone numbers, unless a parent has "opted out" of providing such information. 

The LEA assures that, under Sec. 9528, it will provide military recruiters the same access to secondary school students as it generally provides to postsecondary institutions or prospective employers. 

Persistently Dangerous Schools
The LEA hereby assures that, under Sec. 9532, if the State of Florida identifies any school within the LEA as “persistently dangerous,” it will offer students attending that school, as well as students who are victims of a violent criminal offense while on school property, the opportunity to transfer to a safe school. 

*These assurances are in addition to those previously signed by the Local Education Agency (LEA) maintained on file in the Florida Department of Education’s Comptroller’s Office.

Funding Method 

CARDS - Cash Advance and Reporting of Disbursements System – Web-Based Reporting required monthly to record expenditures.
Federal cash advances will be made by state warrant or electronic funds transfer (EFT) to a recipient for disbursements. For federally funded projects, requests for federal cash advance must be made on the CARDS - Cash Advance and Reporting of Disbursements System. If at times it is determined that disbursements are going to exceed the amount of cash on hand plus cash in transit, an on-line amendment can be made prior to the due date of the next Federal Cash Advance distribution on the CARDS System.
 
Fiscal Requirements
Supporting documentation for expenditures is required for all funding methods. Examples of such documentation include: invoices with check numbers verifying payment, and/or bank statements; all or any of which must be available upon request.

Project Performance Accountability and Reporting Requirements 
The Department’s program managers will track each project’s performance based on the information provided in the Performance Expectation Section.

Each LEA will provide an evaluation of the previous year’s project in the evaluation section of the online reporting system.  Review the Project Design-Narrative for the evaluation requirements.

NARRATIVE SECTION

Project Design-Narrative
Strategies Determination
Title VI limits allowable strategies based on the improvement status of a LEA  and number of years an LEA receives Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2 funds (Section 6224).  A table that shows the number of years eligible local educational agencies have received Title VI, Part B, subpart 2 funds and each local educational agencies improvement status is provided at http://www.fldoe.org/bsa/title1/xls/historicaldata.xls. Each LEA will be responsible for selecting which of the two following categories applies to their LEA.

1.	An  LEA may implement the following strategies: Teacher recruitment and retention, including the use of signing bonuses and other financial incentives; teacher professional development, including programs that train teachers to utilize technology to improve teaching and to train special needs teachers; educational technology, including software and hardware, as described in part D of Title II; parental involvement activities; activities authorized under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program under part A of Title IV; activities authorized under part A of Title I; and activities authorized under Title III if at least one of the following conditions apply:
•	The LEA made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
•	The LEA has only received the grant for less than three (3) years (does not have to be consecutive)

2.	An LEA must implement strategies identified in Section 1116 if it meets both of the following:
•	The LEA is identified as failing to meet its state’s definition of Adequate Yearly Progress; and 
•	The LEA has received Title VI funds for three years or more (does not have to be consecutively)

Needs Statements and Activities
Each LEA will describe the need(s) and the activities to be funded by this program to address the identified need(s).  Describe how the activities are tied to line items in the Budget Narrative Form (DOE 101). The information required for each need will be as follows:
•	Identify the specific need(s) as a result of data analysis
•	Provide the basis for the need and the data source(s) used by the LEA to identify each need

Strategy Implementation
Each LEA will provide the following information for each strategy to be implemented using funds from this part:

•	Identify the Title VI Performance Goal(s) that will be addressed by the activity(ies) to be implemented
•	Describe the specific activity(ies) that will be implemented to address each identified need(s)
•	Name of each Activity/Strategy 
•	Description of each Activity/Strategy
•	Provide evidence-based research that supports the strategy/activity effectiveness in addressing the identified need
•	Provide the frequency and duration of each activity/strategy
•	Identify the school(s) in which the activity will be implemented and the population each activity/strategy will target to address the identified need.
•	On DOE 101 - Budget Narrative Form, identify each need/activity the line item will support
•	Describe how the LEA will monitor the implementation of each activity and provide follow-up to ensure fidelity.  The description should include the review team members, frequency of monitor, and method(s) used for feedback.
•	Provide anticipated outcomes based on the strategies used to address the identified needs.  Each outcome should be Specific, Measurable, Realistic, and Time limited (SMART).
•	Describe the process the LEA will use to evaluate the effectiveness of each activity/strategy implemented and to evaluate progress made toward meeting the targeted goals and objectives indicated for this need.

Coordination/Collaboration
Describe the LEA’s effort in coordinating and collaborating with federal and/or non-federal programs or collaborative partners.
•	If other sources besides Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2 are being used to fund the activities/ strategies identified, describe the programs and partners involved and the resources being provided.  

Evaluation of Previous Year’s Title VI Program
The LEA will need to address the outcomes of the activities implemented in the previous year’s Title VI application.  (Note: Do not address anticipated outcomes for the current year.)

Data sources available:
Graduation and Dropout Data:  http://www.fldoe.org/eias/eiaspubs/ 
School Accountability Reports, School Grades, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and Schools Report Cards:  http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/

•	Describe the outcomes of students’ academic achievement that resulted from implementation of strategies described in the LEA’s previous year’s Title VI application.
•	Based on students academic achievement results, what contributed to the LEA’s success or failure in meeting the Title VI Goals identified in the previous year’s Title VI application? 
•	If applicable, describe the outcomes of the activities implemented to address graduation and student dropout issues described in the LEA’s previous year’s Title VI application.
•	If applicable, based on the 2009-10 Florida Public High School Graduation Data, what contributed to the your success or failure in meeting the Title VI Goals identified in the previous year’s Title VI application?
•	If applicable, based on the results of the 2009-10 Florida Public High School Dropout Data, what contributed to your success or failure in meeting the Title VI Goals identified in the previous year’s Title VI application?

Support for Reading/Strategic Imperatives
Incorporate one or more of the Areas of Focus included in Florida’s Next Generation PreK-20 Education Strategic Plan. 
URL: http://www.fldoe.org/Strategic_Plan/pdfs/StrategicPlanApproved.pdf 

Describe how the proposed project will incorporate reading initiatives and one or more of the Florida State Board of Education (SBE) Next Generation Strategic Areas of Focus. URL: http://www.fldoe.org/Strategic_Plan/ 

Dissemination/Marketing
Describe methods /strategies the LEA will use to disseminate and market information about the project to appropriate populations.

The LEA should include in their description: 
•	Each method/strategy to be used to disseminate and/or market information regarding this application to the appropriate populations
•	Identify the population each method will address 
•	Provide the frequency and duration that each method will be disseminated 
•	Identify the language(s) each method will be made available 

Reporting Outcomes
Describe methods /strategies the LEA will use to disseminate and/or report students and program outcomes to appropriate populations.

The LEA should include in their description: 
•	Each method/strategy to be used to disseminate and/or report students and program outcomes as related to the activities/strategies implemented.
•	Identify the population each method will address
•	Provide the frequency and duration that each method will be disseminated
•	Identify the language(s) each method will be made available

The LEA will complete this requirement in the Dissemination/Marketing and Reporting Outcomes Section of the online application.

For Federal Programs - General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)
Provide a concise description of the process to ensure equitable access to, and participation of students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs. For details refer to URL: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/gepa427.pdf
 
Equitable Services for Private School Participation
In accordance with P.L. 107-110, Title IX, Part E Uniform Provisions, Subpart 1, Section 9501, the applicant must provide a detailed plan of action for providing consultation for equitable services to private school children and teachers within the local education agency(ies) service area.   For details, refer to URL: http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg111.html. 
 
Conditions for Acceptance
The requirements listed below must be met for applications to be considered for review:
1)	Application is received in DOE within the timeframe specified by the RFA
2)	Application includes required forms:  DOE 100A Project Application Form and DOE 101 - Budget Narrative Form
3)	All required forms must have the assigned TAPS Number included on the form
4)	All required forms have original signatures by an authorized entity
5)	Application must be submitted to:

Office of Grants Management
Florida Department of Education
325 W. Gaines Street, (Room 332)
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

NOTE: Applications signed by officials other than the appropriate agency head identified above must have a letter signed by the agency head, or documentation citing action of the governing body delegating authority to the person to sign on behalf of said official. Attach the letter or documentation to the DOE 100A when the application is submitted.

Method of Review 
All online project applications, including budget forms shall be reviewed by FDOE staff in accordance with established project application review checklists and requirements set forth in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; and all applicable non-regulatory guidance and other applicable federal regulations and guidelines.

Attachments
DOE 100A
DOE 101
Appendix A: Preliminary Allocations for Eligible LEAs
Program Specific Assurances

TAPS Number

Florida Department of Education
Project Application

Please return to:

Florida Department of Education
Office of Grants Management
Room 332 Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Telephone:  (850) 245-0498	A) Program Name:

	DOE USE ONLY

Date Received      

	
B) Name and Address of Eligible Applicant:
	Project Number (DOE Assigned)	

		

C)	Total Funds Requested:

	$  

DOE USE ONLY

	Total Approved Project:

	$

	D)
Applicant Contact Information	
	Contact Name:
	Mailing Address:
	
	Telephone Number:
	SunCom Number:
	
	Fax Number:
	E-mail Address:

CERTIFICATION

	
I, ______________________________________________, (Please Type Name) do hereby certify that all facts, figures, and representations made in this application are true, correct, and consistent with the statement of general assurances and specific programmatic assurances for this project.  Furthermore, all applicable statutes, regulations, and procedures; administrative and programmatic requirements; and procedures for fiscal control and maintenance of records will be implemented to ensure proper accountability for the expenditure of funds on this project.  All records necessary to substantiate these requirements will be available for review by appropriate state and federal staff.  I further certify that all expenditures will be obligated on or after the effective date and prior to the termination date of the project.  Disbursements will be reported only as appropriate to this project, and will not be used for matching funds on this or any special project, where prohibited.

Further, I understand that it is the responsibility of the agency head to obtain from its governing body the authorization for the submission of this application.

	

E)	________________________________________________
	Signature of Agency Head

	

Instructions for Completion of DOE 100A

	
A.	If not pre-printed, enter name of the program for which funds are requested.

B.	Enter name and mailing address of eligible applicant.  The applicant is the public or non-public entity receiving funds to carry out the purpose of the project.

C.	Enter the total amount of funds requested for this project.

D.	Enter requested information for the applicant’s contact person.  This is the person responsible for responding to all questions regarding information included in this application.

E.	The original signature of the appropriate agency head is required.  The agency head is the school district superintendent, university or community college president, state agency commissioner or secretary, or the president/chairman of the Board for other eligible applicants.

•	Note:  Applications signed by officials other than the appropriate agency head identified above must have a letter signed by the agency head, or documentation citing action of the governing body delegating authority to the person to sign on behalf of said official.  Attach the letter or documentation to the DOE 100A when the application is submitted.

	

	

                    A)

TAPS Number

 Name of Eligible Recipient:

                B)	

Project Number: (DOE USE ONLY)

Florida Department of Education
Budget Narrative Form
Title VI, Part B Subpart 2, Rural and Low-Income Schools Program
(1)
FUNCTION	(2)
OBJECT	(3)
ACCOUNT TITLE AND NARRATIVE	(4) FTE POSITION	(5)
AMOUNT	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

					

	

	

					

					

	C)  TOTAL	$	

Instructions
Budget Narrative Form

This form should be completed based on the instructions outlined below, unless instructed otherwise in the Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Application (RFA).

	A.	Enter Name of Eligible Recipient.

	B.	(DOE USE ONLY) 
Column 1

	Function: 	School Districts Only:
Use the four digit function codes as required in the Financial and Program Cost  Accounting and Reporting for Florida Schools Manual.

Column 2

	Object:	School Districts:
	Use the three digit object codes as required in the Financial and Program Cost Accounting and Reporting for Florida Schools Manual.

Community Colleges:
Use the first three digits of the object codes listed in the Accounting Manual for Florida’s Public Community Colleges.  

	Universities and State Agencies:
	Use the first three digits of the object codes listed in the Florida Accounting Information Resource Manual. 

	Other Agencies:
	Use the object codes as required in the agency’s expenditure chart of accounts.

	Column 3	- All Applicants:

	Account Title: Use the account title that applies to the object code listed in accordance with the agency's accounting system.

	Narrative: 	Provide a detailed narrative for each object code listed.  For example:

•	Salaries - describe the type(s) of positions requested.  Use a separate line to describe each type of position. 
•	Other Personal Services – describe the type of service(s) and an estimated number of hours for each type of position. OPS is defined as compensation paid to persons, including substitute teachers not under contract, who are employed to provide temporary services to the program.
•	Professional/Technical Services - describe services rendered by personnel, other than agency personnel employees, who provide specialized skills and knowledge.
•	Contractual Services and/or Inter-agency agreements - provide the agency name and description of the service(s) to be rendered.
•	Travel - provide a description of each type of travel to be supported with project funds, such as conference(s), in district or out of district, and out of state. Do not list individual names. List individual position(s) when travel funds are being requested to perform necessary activities. 
•	Capital Outlay - provide the type of items/equipment to be purchased with project funds.  
•	Indirect Cost - provide the percentage rate being used.  Use the current approved rate. (Reference the DOE Green Book for additional guidance regarding indirect cost.)

	Column 4 – Must be completed for all Salaries and Other Personal Services.

	FTE - Indicate the Full Time Equivalent (FTE based on the standard workweek for the type of position) number of positions to be funded. Determine FTE by dividing the standard number of weekly hours (e.g., 35 hours) for the type of position (e.g., teacher aide) into the actual work hours to be funded by the project.

	Column 5

	Amount - Provide the budget amount requested for each object code.

	C.	TOTAL - Provide the total for Column (5) on the last page.  Must be the same amount as requested on the DOE-100A.

Appendix A
Preliminary Allocation Schedule
Reimbursement Options
C -	Federal Cash Advance	Q -	Advance Payment	
S - 	Quarterly Advance to Public Entity	R - 	Reimbursement of Expenditure	
P -	Reimbursement with Performance			

Agency
Number	Agency Name
	Allocation Amount	Reimbursement
Option	
4	Bradford		C	
7	Calhoun		C	
9	Citrus		C	
12	Columbia		C	
14	DeSoto		C	
15	Dixie		C	
19	Franklin		C	
21	Gilchrist		C	
22	Glades		C	
23	Gulf		C	
24	Hamilton		C	
25	Hardee		C	
26	Hendry		C	
28	Highlands		C	
30	Holmes		C	
32	Jackson		C	
33	Jefferson		C	
34	Lafayette		C	
38	Levy		C	
40	Madison		C	
47	Okeechobee		C	
54	Putnam		C	
60	Sumter		C	
61	Suwannee		C	
62	Taylor		C	
66	Walton		C	
67	Washington		C	

Program Specific Assurances - 

Title VI Part B

By my signature on this application, I hereby certify that ______ District will comply with ALL the following requirements:      
Program funds will be used only for the intents and purposes of Title VI of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and to supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State, or local education funds. 
The local educational agency will annually administer an assessment that is consistent with section 1111(b)(3).