Ready-To-Learn Television
Under the current Ready to Learn 5-year awards, which began in fiscal year 2005, WTTW-Channel 11 (Chicago public television) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) received awards to develop, produce, and distribute age-appropriate educational programming and curricula that utilize scientifically based reading research for children ages 2 through 8 years old, along with their parents and caregivers.
WTTW-Channel 11 will develop four new literacy-based children's series, including Word World, Everyday Alphabet, and R U There.
CPB is also developing several new literacy-based children's programs, including Super Why, the New Electric Company, and Martha Speaks.
In addition to these new series, CPB will also support additional episodes of current series, such as Sesame Street and Between the Lions.
- Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII): Ready-to-Learn Television CFDA Number 84.295A
- Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII): Ready-to-Learn Television CFDA Number 84.295A
- Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII): Ready-to-Learn Television Program CFDA 84.295A
- Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII): Ready-to-Learn Television Program CFDA 84.295A
- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Ready to Learn (RTL) Programming CFDA Number 84.295A
The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in Federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.
Program Accomplishments
In FY 2007, three continuation awards were made.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Administrative costs are limited by the authorizing statute.
Entities receiving a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement from the Secretary may not use more than five percent of the amounts received for the normal and customary expenses of administering the grant.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under Subsection (a) an entity shall be a public telecommunications entity that can demonstrate a capacity to: (1) develop and disseminate educational and instructional television programming nationwide; (2) contract with the producers of children's television programming; (3) negotiate such contracts in a manner that returns an appropriate share of ancillary income from sales of program-related products; and (4) localize programming and materials to meet specific State and local needs.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Programming is to be made widely available, with support materials as appropriate, to young children, their parents, child care workers, and Head Start providers.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or the official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
This procedure is described in the application notice published annually in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters office listed below for application packages containing the announcement, application, and forms.
Award Procedures
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by outside experts and program staff, in accordance with the Evaluation of Applications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements (34 CFR 700).
Deadlines
Application deadlines and other information for applicants are published in the Federal Register.
Authorization
Elementary and Secondary Education, Title II, Part D, Subpart3.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately two months.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant program (see 34 CFR 75.253). Generally, for multiple-year awards, continuation awards after the first budget period are made if: sufficient funds have been appropriated; the recipient has either made substantial progress in meeting the goals of the project or obtaining approval for changes in the project; the recipient has submitted all required reports; and continuation is in the best interest of the government.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Following an initial award of 12 months, four additional 1-year, non-competing continuation awards may be made, for a total term of 5 years. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The recipient must submit an annual report.
At a minimum, the report must describe the program activities including: (1) Programming that has been developed directly or indirectly and the target population of the programs developed; (2) supporting materials that have been developed to accompany the programming and the method by which materials are distributed to consumers and users of the programming; (3) the means by which programming developed under this Section has been distributed, including the distinct learning technologies that have been utilized to make programming available and the geographic distribution achieved through such technologies; and (4) the initiatives undertaken to develop public or private partnerships to secure nonfederal support to develop and distribute the broadcasting of educational and instructional programming.
Audits
See 34 CFR 74.26. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133. State and local governments are subject to the requirements in the Single Audit Act and ED regulations implementing OMB Circular No. A-133 (see 34 CFR 80). 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
As required by EDGAR for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75). Generally, records related to grant funds, compliance, and performance must be maintained for a period of five years after completion.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0204-0-1-501.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $24,255,000; FY 08 est $23,831,000; and FY 09 est $23,831,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2008, the range of awards is expected to be $400 to $11.2 million; the average award is expected to be $8,084,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
The regulations applicable to this program are in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations 34 CFR, 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Department of Education, OII Technology in Education Programs 400 Maryland Ave., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Joe Caliguro. E-mail: joseph.caliguro@ed.gov Telephone: (202) 205-5449.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The criteria for selecting applications under this program are contained in 34 CFR 700, Evaluation of Applications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements. The specific criteria to be used for a particular grant competition are selected from among those in 34 CFR 700, and announced in the application package or the application notice in the Federal Register.
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