AUTHORIZATION:

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Executive Order Title V Part B, Subpart 1.

OBJECTIVES:

The program supports the planning, development, and initial implementation of charter schools and the dissemination of information on charter schools. Charter schools provide enhanced parental choice and are exempt from many statutory and regulatory requirements. In exchange for this increased flexibility, charter schools establish plans to improve student academic achievement and to stimulate the creativity and commitment of teachers, parents, and the public.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Each State educational agency (SEA) receiving a grant should award subgrants to one or more eligible applicants in their State, enabling them to plan and implement a charter school. Each eligible applicant, other than an SEA, receiving funds from the Secretary or an SEA shall use the funds to plan and implement a charter school. Grantees receive up to 3 years of assistance, of which they may not use more than 18 months for planning and program design and not more than 2 years for the initial implementation of a charter school. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 75.563. For assistance call the Office of Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202)708-7770.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   State educational agencies (SEAs) with specific statutes authorizing charter schools are eligible. If an eligible SEA elects not to participate in this program or does not have an approved application, authorized public chartering agencies participating in partnerships with charter school developers may apply, directly to the Secretary.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   School administrators, teachers, and students and their parents are beneficiaries.

Credentials/Documentation:   No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Contact the program office for application information. Application notices are published in the Federal Register.

Award Procedure:   Contact the program office for this information.

Deadlines:   Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

Approximately 120 days.

Appeals:   

Not Applicable.

Renewals:   

To receive continuation funding, grantees must demonstrate substantial progress toward meeting their goals and objectives. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

Grants are awarded for a period of not more than 3 years, subject to the availability of funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   As part of the continuation funding process, grantees must submit performance reports annually. The programs office will establish a due date. Final performance reports must be submitted within 90 days of the end of the grant award period. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 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:   Records must be maintained for three years after the fiscal year in which the expenditure was made by the grantee, or until the grantee is notified of the completion of the Federal fiscal audit. In all cases of audit questions, records must be maintained until resolution has occurred.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

91-0204-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Project Grants) FY 08 $211,031,000; FY 09 est $236,031,000; FY 10 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

Range of awards: $500,000 - $10,000,000.

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