AUTHORIZATION:

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

OBJECTIVES:

To ensure that every student can read at grade level or above by the end of third grade. The Reading First program provides assistance to States and districts in establishing reading programs for students in kindergarten through third grade that are based on scientifically based reading research. Reading First also focuses on teacher development and ensuring that all teachers, including special education teachers, have the tools they need to effectively help their students learn to read.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Formula Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Each State educational agency (SEA) receiving a grant shall use the funds to establish reading programs that are based on scientifically based reading research. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and grantees must use a restricted indirect cost rate that is referenced under 34 CFR 76-564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group at 202-708-7770.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   State Education Agencies from the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the DOI Bureau of Indian Education, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Kindergarten through third-grade students, their teachers, and their parents are benefit from this program.

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 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:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. In their Reading First State grant applications, States describe their plans to provide competitive subgrants to targeted schools and districts and to use significant State leadership funds in order to improve reading instruction and student achievement. Applications must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the notice published in the Federal Register. By the due date, eligible applicants must submit to the Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, a complete application that addresses the purposes of the program and includes all required assurances and signatures. Required assurances and certifications include: Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-422B); Certification regarding Lobbying, Debarment; Suspension and Other Responsibility Matter, and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED Form 80- 0013); Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL) (if applicable); Response to Notice to All Applicants (Section 427, GEPA), and Section 9306 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Other General Assurances). Applications should also include a Cover Page (SF-424); the required Budget Form (ED Form 524); an itemized budget and other budget information; proof of eligibility; a project abstract; and a program narrative that includes responses to selection criteria. Applicants are encouraged to submit (1) one original and (2) copies of their application.

Award Procedure:   Grant applications are reviewed by outside, expert panels. The expert panels recommend to the Secretary of Education those applications that meet the standards of the review criteria. Based on the panels' recommendations, the Department makes the grant awards. The Department of Education will notifies successful applicants of their awards. Contact the Program Office for more information.

Deadlines:  

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

Not Applicable.

Appeals:   

Not Applicable.

Renewals:   

Continuation funding depends upon future program appropriations and demonstrated substantial progress toward meeting the grant's goals and objectives.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

Statutory Formula: Title I, Part B, Subpart 1.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

A Reading First grant to a State educational agency is awarded for up to 6 years, subject to sufficient appropriations and submission and review of progress reports. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Grantees must submit performance reports annually. The program office establishes a due date. Final performance reports must be submitted within 90 days after 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 3 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:  

91-0900-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Formula Grants) FY 08 $393,000,000; FY 09 est $0; FY 10 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

No Data Available.

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