None.

Uses and Use Restrictions

A State educational agency (SEA) must allocate at least 95 percent of the amount of the funds it receives directly to LEAs for schools that have been identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring to carry out activities under Section 1116(b).

An SEA may retain up to 5 percent of the grant amount received for administration, evaluation, and technical assistance expenses.

At the LEA level, these funds may be used for any reasonable costs associated with carrying out school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring activities described in Section 1116(b).

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State Educational Agencies with approved State plan amendments are eligible to receive funds.

Beneficiary Eligibility

To be eligible to receive Title I School Improvement funds, an LEA must have one or more schools identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under Section 1116(b) of Title I.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Pursuant to Section 76.140 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations, the Department is requiring States to amend their State plans in order to receive Title I accountability funds. The amendment may be brief (less than 10 pages) and must describe: (1) the criteria the State will use to determine which LEAs, among those eligible, will receive funds; (2) the criteria the State will use to determine how much each LEA will receive; and (3) the criteria the State will use to ensure that the funds awarded to LEAs will be used to address one or more short-term outcome measures to improve student academic achievement.

Award Procedures

The Department will allocate funds to any State whose submission demonstrates that the criteria the State uses to determine which LEA will receive funds and how much clearly serve the purpose of carrying out Section 1003(g) of Title I.

Deadlines

The Department is in the process of establishing specific guidelines and deadlines for States to use in applying for School Improvement Grants.

Authorization

Section 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended (Public Law 107-110 )(115 Stat. 1442, 20 U.S.C. 6303(g)).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

The Department will ensure that amended State plans will be reviewed in sufficient time to ensure that fiscal year 2007 funds for School Improvement Grants are awarded prior to September 30, 2008.

Appeals

In programs administered by the Department, Section 432 of the General Education Provisions Act provides LEAs with a right of appeal when there are disagreements between State and local educational agencies, including disagreements over funding decisions. Where an LEA alleges that the denial of funding is a violation of State or Federal law, rules, regulations, or guidelines governing the applicable program, it may, within 30 days, request a hearing from the SEA. Once the hearing is held and the SEA issues it written ruling, the LEA may appeal a negative ruling to the Secretary.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Title I School Improvement funds are available for obligation by local educational agencies for a maximum of 27 months after funds become available on July 1. Funds become available to the Department on July 1, and will be allocated to States on or after that date. They remain available for obligation by LEA under the initial period of availability for 15 months. Under section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act, any funds that remain unobligated may be carried over for obligation for an additional 12 months.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Grantees are subject to the reporting requirements contained in Parts 76 and 80 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

Audits

All grantees are subject to the provision of the Single Audit Act.

Records

All grantees must maintain and complete records as provided in EDGAR.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0900-0-1-501.

Obigations

FY 07 $125,000,000; FY 08 est. $500,000,000; and FY 09 est. not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The Department will allocate Title I School Improvement funds among States in the same proportion as funds are allocated among the States under Title I, Part A, Part C, and Part D, subpart 1. The SEA determines the amount of funds allocated to school districts.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

The Department is in the process of issuing guidance and instructions for States to use in applying for these funds.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Gary Rutkin, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education/Compensatory Education Programs, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., 3W214, Washington, DC 20202-6132. Contact: Gary Rutkin. E-mail: Gary.rutkin@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 260-4412.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not applicable; the Department awards funds to States through a formula.