AUTHORIZATION:

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title V, Part C.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) or consortia of LEAs to establish and operate magnet schools that are part of approved court-ordered of federally approved voluntary desegregation plans. Magnet programs aim to eliminate, reduce, or prevent minority group isolation in elementary and secondary schools while strengthening students' academic achievement.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds may be used for planning and promotional activities directly related to the development, expansion, continuation, or enhancement of academic programs offered at magnet schools; for purchasing books, materials, equipment; and for paying or subsidizing the salaries of teachers and instructional staff in magnet schools. Funds may not be used for transportation or activities that do not augment academic improvement. No more than 50 percent of the funds an applicant receives in the first year of a grant may be used for planning. No more than 15 percent of the funds received for the second year may be used for planning, and no more than 10 percent in the third year. 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:   Local educational agencies (LEA) or consortia of LEAs that are implementing court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegragation plans that include magnet schools are eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Local educational agencies and participating students will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation:   Applicants must submit a copy of the desegregation plan they are implementing, or will implement, if assistance is made available. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Pre-application Coordination:   Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or 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 Procedure:   OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Application notices are published in the Federal Register and applications must be sent to the Education Department on or before the closing date.

Award Procedure:   Recommendations for the approval of applications are made by the program staff on the basis of published criteria, statutory priorities, State comments received under the E.O. 12372 process, and with the advice and assistance of a panel of reviewers. In addition, no application may be approved unless the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights determines that all required assurance will be met.

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

The range is anticipated to be 90 to 120 days from the closing date.

Appeals:   

Not Applicable.

Renewals:   

The project period for a Magnet School award may not exceed 36 months. To receive continuation funding, grantees must demonstrate substantial progress toward meeting their goals and objectives. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

The length of grants will be up to 36 months, 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. 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:   Section 443 of the General Education Provisions Act, as amended by the Improving America's Schools Act, grantees must maintain records for 3 years.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

91-0204-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Project Grants) FY 08 $104,826,000; FY 09 est $104,829,000; FY 10 est $104,829,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

Range of awards: $350,000-$4,000,000.

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