Georgia Charter Schools Program: Grant Overview by Richard Woods - Dec 6th, 2018
Richard Woods, Georgia's School Superintendent, provides insight into the Georgia Charter Schools Program Grant, its goals, objectives, and application process. The program aims to enhance understanding of charter school initiatives and increase the availability of high-quality charter schools for students. Woods emphasizes the importance of Planning, Implementation, and Dissemination Subgrants in advancing educational opportunities.
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Richard Woods, Georgias School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future gadoe.org gadoe.org Georgia Charter Georgia Charter Schools Program: Schools Program: FY 2019 Pre FY 2019 Pre- -Application Webinar Application Webinar Federal Planning, Implementation, and Dissemination Subgrants Charter Schools Division Georgia Department of Education December 6th, 2018 9/25/2024 1
Goals and Objectives Goals and Objectives Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org To increase each participant s understanding of the Charter Schools Program Grant and its purpose. To provide prospective applicants an overview of the application process for the Planning, Implementation, and Dissemination Subgrants. 9/25/2024 2
Agenda Agenda Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Federal and Georgia Charter Schools Program Grant Purpose and Objectives Overview of Planning and Implementation Subgrant Application Eligibility and Available Subgrants Additional Information and Contact Information Overview of Dissemination Subgrant Application 9/25/2024 3
Charter Schools Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grant Program (CSP) Grant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org The Charter Schools Program Grant is a federal grant that is awarded to State Educational Agencies (SEAs) on a competitive basis to enable them to conduct charter school programs in their States. SEAs use their CSP funds to award subgrants to non-SEA eligible applicants in their States. In 2016, Georgia was awarded $46 million in CSP funds over a 3-year period. 9/25/2024 4
Federal CSP Purpose Federal CSP Purpose Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Increase the national understanding of the charter school model. Expand the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the Nation by providing financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools. Evaluate the effects of charter schools, including their effects on students, student academic achievement, staff, and parents. 9/25/2024 5
GA Charter School GA Charter School Program Objectives Program Objectives Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org To increase the number of high-quality charter schools in Georgia, especially among underserved students in rural and urban settings. To use CSP funding to improve outcomes for students attending charter schools, specifically for educationally disadvantaged students. To increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students attending high-quality charter schools around the State. To increase support for charter schools and charter schools academic success in working with students of all backgrounds, including students with disabilities, students of all racial and economic backgrounds, and ensuring compliance with all special education and civil rights laws. 9/25/2024 6
CSP CSP Subgrant Subgrant Eligibility Eligibility Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org A charter school is eligible to apply for a planning and/or implementation subgrant if: The school has an approved charter contract with either the State Board of Education or the State Charter Schools Commission. The school meets the federal definition of a charter school. The school has a CCRPI designation. The charter school is in its first 3 years of operation. The school must have opened or expanded to a new school no later than 2016. The school complies with all applicable state and federal laws. Charter schools that utilize a weighted lottery must obtain separate, final approval by the U.S. Department of Education. 9/25/2024 7
CSP CSP Subgrant Subgrant Eligibility Eligibility Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org A charter school is eligible to apply for a dissemination subgrant if: The school meets the federal definition of a charter school. The school meets the federal and state definition of a high-quality charter school for the past 3 years. A charter school may apply for a dissemination subgrant regardless of whether it has previously applied for or received a planning or implementation subgrant if: The school has been in operation for at least 3 consecutive years, and The school has demonstrated overall success. 9/25/2024 8
Planning vs. Planning vs. Implementation vs. Implementation vs. Dissemination Dissemination Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Planning Implementation Dissemination Up to $75,000 Initial planning and project design costs prior to opening Performance period begins on the date of SBOE approval of award and ends either 12 months later or the date the school opens, whichever comes first Up to $775,000 Initial start-up costs and implementation activities after opening Performance period begins on the date of SBOE approval of award and ends 24 months later Up to $225,000 Disseminate best practices that improve student academic achievement among charter schools and traditional public schools Performance period begins on the date of SBOE approval of award 12- to 24-month performance period Schools can only receive a Dissemination Grant 1 time. 9/25/2024 9
Reimbursement Reimbursement Subgrants Subgrants Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org All CSP subgrants are funded on a reimbursement basis, which means that subgrantees will be reimbursed for allowable, approved activities following proof of expenditure. Subgrantees are expected to have liquid assets that they can spend in order to be reimbursed by the LEA (for locally- approved charter schools) or GaDOE (for state charter schools). A training on this reimbursement process will be provided for all subgrant award recipients on a later date. 9/25/2024 10
Application Instructions Application Instructions Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Deadline Friday, January 18th, 2019 at 4:00PM Submit 1 original signed application, 3 copies, and 2 electronic versions (USB or CD) of the signed application. Applications must be received not postmarked by the deadline. Applications submitted by fax or email will NOT be accepted! Late submissions will NOT be accepted! Submission Process 9/25/2024 11
Application Instructions Application Instructions Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Computer-generated. All pages must be standard letter size (8 x 11 ) using 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. Consecutively number all pages; tab and paginate all appendices and attachments. Staple or bind pages of the original and of each copy. Do not use paperclips or enclose the application in a notebook, binder, or folder. The original must contain original signatures in blue ink. Stamped signatures will not be accepted. The complete application should not exceed 40 pages. Application Format Checklist Cover Page (requires signatures*) Eligibility Form (requires signatures) Project Abstract and Narrative Budget Summary and Detail Sheets Assurances and Certifications Form(s) (requires signatures) Affidavit (requires signatures, ID, notarized) Supporting Documents Required Elements 9/25/2024 12
Planning and Planning and Implementation Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative Educational Program Overview (20 Points) Project Goals (10 Points) Use of Data (10 Points) Governance and Management (20 Points) Student Access (10 Points) Fiscal Sustainability (10 Points) Budget Budget Narrative (10 Points) Budget Details (10 Points) 9/25/2024 13
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent Project Narrative Educational Program Overview (20 points) Briefly describe your charter school, including the educational program, the school community, the school s origins and the vision of the school. Please cover the points below. Describe how the school plans to use grant funds to implement the school s vision. Please include the grades served during the first two years of operation, curricular focus or theme of the charter school. Briefly describe the educational program that will be implemented by the charter school including any themes or key initiatives or instructional delivery methods. If the charter school serves grades 9-12, list the graduation requirements. Please describe how your educational program distinguishes your school from other educational options available to the student population that you are seeking to enroll. gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Goals (10 Points) Describe the student achievement objectives of the charter school, and the methods by which the charter school will determine its progress toward achieving those objectives. List at least three project goals, with indicators, for the proposed grant that encompass the 24 month project period or 36 month project period if applying for both grants. At least two goals must address student academic achievement as measured by either the CRCT, EOCT, and Georgia s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). Each listed goal should be specific, measurable, attainable, research-based and time-bound. As an example, 95% of all staff will receive training on curriculum and policy in year 1, 80% of staff will receive training in reading intervention, writing mastery, and student learning styles in year 2. The use of these grant funds should be directly correlated to student academic achievement. 9/25/2024 14
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent Project Narrative (continued) Use of Data (10 Points) Explain which software the school will use to maintain achievement data. Describe the data disaggregation among sub-groups and manipulation capabilities along with an explanation of who on the charter school s staff will be managing the data. Describe how the program could be/will be refined and the methods for measuring progress toward these results. Governance and Management (20 Points) Describe the qualifications of the governing board. Describe the level of oversight the governing board has over the school and school leader. Describe the composition of the governing board, e.g. parents, community members or staff, and their responsibilities or decision-making authority. List any prerequisites for individuals to serve on the governing board. Describe how board members were selected and their qualifications. Detail the training needs of the governing board and what board training has already occurred and who conducted that training. Describe how the governing board s policies will be made available to parents. Please describe how the charter school will be managed and attach any management contracts as an appendix. gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org 9/25/2024 15
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent Project Narrative (continued) Student Access(10 Points) Describe how the charter school will comply with requirements of Sections 613(a)(5) and 613(e)(1)(B) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Reciting the law in this area alone in unacceptable, and will be scored as such on the attached rubric. Describe how parents, students and other members of the community will be informed about the charter school, and how students will be given an equal opportunity to attend the charter school. Describe evidence of parent and community involvement prior to and during the operation of the charter school. How does the charter school plan to address its students transportation needs? gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org 9/25/2024 16
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent Project Narrative (continued) Student Access (continued) Lottery Questions How was the community notified of the charter school s opening? What is the date of the first, and thereafter annual, lottery? What preference priorities with the school use if any? Were any students given priority notice or guaranteed admission? What are the demographics of the first year class? What is the attendance zone? Please describe in depth how the school will be recruit from all segments of the proposed attendance zone. How has the school accounted for student transportation? If the school uses a weighted lottery, please address what categories are weighted and how. Please also address how the weighted lottery is part of the school s overall recruitment plan. gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Please Note: Schools that are planning to implement a weighted lottery must also provide the following information in order to obtain approval from the U.S. Department of Education before the school can be awarded CSP funds: Information concerning the mechanisms that exist (if any) for an oversight entity (e.g., the SEA or an authorized public chartering agency) to review, approve, or monitor specific lottery practices, including establishment of weight amounts if applicable; Information concerning how the use of a weighted lottery for a permitted purpose is within the scope and objectives of the approved project; and Information concerning the amount or range of lottery weights that will be employed or permitted and the rationale for these weights. 9/25/2024 17
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Fiscal Sustainability(10 Points) Please describe how Federal CSP funds will be used in conjunction with other federal funds, state and local funds. Describe any alternative funding sources. Describe how the business office practices and policies at the charter school will be or were established. Explain the activities that have occurred for the development of an operating budget that demonstrates the fiscal viability of the school. 9/25/2024 18
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Budget Narrative and Detail Sheets (20 Points Total) Budget narrative and all line items must relate to one or more of the proposed project goals. Applicants must budget $5,000 for a programmatic audit in their second year of operation. No single line item should exceed $30,000 without proper justification. Detail sheets must be submitted using the provided Excel budget template. All budget items must be reasonable, allocable, and allowable. 9/25/2024 19
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Allowable Expenses Planning Subgrant Allowable expenditures include, but are not limited to, those that are necessary for the initial costs of planning and designing, and implementing the school s program, for example: Costs associated with planning and design of the education program, which may include refinement of the desired educational results and of the methods for measuring progress towards achieving those results Professional development of teachers and other staff members who will work in the charter school Advertising Community Outreach Board training Personnel expenses incurred either before or after the school s opening, provided that these expenses are associated with initial implementation activities (i.e., as opposed to ongoing operations), such as program and curriculum development and integration, and teacher and staff recruiting.* 9/25/2024 20
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Allowable Expenses Implementation Subgrant Allowable expenses include, but are not limited to, the purchase of supplies, materials, furniture, computers and other equipment as long as they are connected with INITIAL operational costs involved in implementing the school s program. CSP funds are not to be used for ongoing operational costs. Subgrantees will need to provide specific information about what budget items will be used for. GaDOE has identified additional expenses that are allowable under this program: Laptops, whiteboards, SMART Boards, and other technology for the classroom Classroom furniture, supplies, and materials Consultant fees directly related to the program and implementation of the charter school (subgrantees will need to include specific services the funds are being used for and the fees charged) Library books Student software packages Other initial start-up costs not covered by state or local funding sources as approved by the Georgia Department of Education 9/25/2024 21
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent Unallowable Expenses Unallowable expenses are any costs deemed operational and include, but are not limited to: Food Salaries for individuals involved in the school s ongoing program (school year salary or fringe benefits for staff members after school opens) Planning and zoning, traffic studies, demographic studies or site inspections Administrative expenses not related to curriculum (kitchen equipment/appliances/supplies, office supplies, furniture for reception and admin offices, break rooms, outdoor areas) Repairs and maintenance of classroom or building Lease or mortgage payments Routine student transportation and field trips Ongoing staff development/training Any expenses related to EMO or CMO (e.g., management fees; support for the salaries, fringe benefits, or other costs of any employee) Contracted service for payroll Wiring, security systems, or other expenses associated with facilities (with the exception of wiring a computer lab) Professional dues or memberships Utilities Cell phones, telephones, walkie-talkies Any other expenses deemed operational by the Georgia Department of Education Grant funds cannot be used for fundraising, lobbying, or for the purchase of land or facilities. CSP funds may not be used for construction. CSP funds may be used for necessary maintenance, repair, or upkeep of buildings and equipment that neither add to the permanent value of the property nor appreciably prolong its life, but merely keep it in an efficient operating condition. gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Funds must supplement rather than supplant local and state funds. 9/25/2024 22
Planning and Implementation Planning and Implementation Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent Application Review Process and Scoring Each application is independently scored by 3 external reviewers. The total number of possible points is 120. Applicants must receive an average score of 80 points before being considered for up to 20 additional preference points and to be recommended for funding. gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org GaDOE defines economically disadvantaged as a student whose family lives at or below the poverty line, qualifies for Free/Reduced Lunch, or qualifies for federal benefits including SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, or PINS. The school must show through its planning for school culture and/or curriculum that it will use models and practices that focus on economically or educationally disadvantaged youth. This can include youth who are homeless, court-involved, transient, low-income, and students whose families meet the above definition. Models focused on serving economically disadvantaged students (10 Additional Points) Schools that will be located in an area where the surrounding schools have not been able to out-perform the state or the district for the last 3 years on CCRPI. Schools that are already open can use their FTE data to show that their students are economically disadvantaged using Free/Reduced Lunch rates. Schools that are not in operation must show that they will be serving an economically or educationally disadvantaged population through sharing a comprehensive recruitment plan, the school s location in a low-income area, and partnerships that the school has already made. Models focused on economically and/or educationally disadvantaged populations (10 Additional Points) 9/25/2024 23
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Subgrant Application Application Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative General Information (5 Points) Eligibility/Demonstration of Overall School Success (5 Points) Demonstrated Need or Demand (5 Points) Project Proposal (20 Points) Project Goals and Impact (15 Points) Project Management Plan (10 Points) Project Evaluation (10 Points) Budget Budget Narrative (10 Points) Budget Details (10 Points) 9/25/2024 24
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative General Information (5 Points) Applicants should introduce readers to their charter school: State when the charter school was established, whether it is a start-up or conversion charter school, the number of charter terms the school has been in existence, and the year school s current charter term will expire. State the mission and vision of the charter school, and explain how it aligns with the Department s objectives. Describe the size of the school, including the grade levels served, and any future plans for growth over the term. Describe the physical location of the charter school, including whether in a low-income community. State whether the charter school has a Title I designation. Provide a general description of the student population demographics, with particular emphasis on educationally disadvantaged students served by the charter school. Describe the charter school s educational philosophy, instructional approach, innovative models, tools, programs, and/or systems. Describe how it supports the needs of all students, including educationally disadvantaged students, and has enabled the school to meet or exceed its performance goals for at least the past 3 consecutive years. Describe the extent to which the charter school takes advantage of the flexibility possible under Georgia s charter school law and waivers from local school policies (for locally-approved charter schools) as identified in the charter contract. Note that applicants may be awarded up to 10 additional priority points by meeting the following optional criteria in this section: The charter school is physically located in a low-income community, AND The charter school serves an educationally disadvantaged student population (economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, migrant students, limited English proficient students, neglected or delinquent students, and/or homeless students). 9/25/2024 25
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Eligibility/Demonstration of Overall School Success (5 Points) Applicants must demonstrate that their charter school is high-quality by providing quantitative and qualitative evidence of overall success for the past 3 consecutive years based on the following factors: Increased student academic achievement and attainment for all students AND educationally disadvantaged students served by the charter school. Include CCRPI scores; CRCT, EOCT, and Milestones test results; and graduation rates (if applicable) as compared to traditional public schools in the school s attendance zone, your local district, and the state. Demonstrated success closing the achievement gap as measured by CCRPI. High levels of parent satisfaction. Provide the parental participation and satisfaction rate in surveys conducted by the school. Provide the student retention rate. Describe family and community engagement and involvement in the continuous improvement and implementation of the charter school best practices. No significant compliance issues, particularly in the areas of student safety, financial and operational management, and the equitable treatment of students. Eligible charter schools will have submitted annual financial audits and operational reports without any findings to the Charter Schools Division over the past 3 years. The charter school has the management and leadership necessary to overcome initial start-up problems and establish a thriving, financially viable charter school. Describe initial start-up challenges and how they were overcome. Describe the turnover rates for governing board members, school administrators, and instructional staff. Describe how the charter school is qualified to manage and oversee a federal subgrant. 9/25/2024 26
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Demonstrated Need or Demand (5 Points) - The purpose of the dissemination subgrant is to promote best practices that improve student academic achievement among a variety of communities including other charter schools, traditional public schools, and local school districts. Applicants must demonstrate that there is a need or demand for their proposed dissemination project. Describe the community the charter school proposes to serve with its dissemination project, including the number and types of schools and students that will benefit from the project. Describe the need for the charter school s best practices in the community it will serve and how these best practices will address the needs of the defined community. Provide concrete and current supporting data that emphasizes the need for the dissemination of the charter school s best practices, including: Performance data for surrounding public schools in the area that the charter school is located; Targeted student population, including projected percentage of educationally disadvantaged students; Gaps in educational opportunities that the charter school will address; and Other factors that create the need for a high-quality charter school. Identify specific local school district partners, if known, and provide evidence of a demonstrated need or demand for the specific products and/or services that would be provided through the proposed subgrant activities. Note that applicants may be awarded up to 20 priority points by meeting one or more of the following optional criteria in this section the project focuses on disseminating best practices that lead to academic success with: educationally disadvantaged students in an urban area; educationally disadvantaged students in a rural area; AND/OR students with disabilities. 9/25/2024 27
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Project Proposal (20 Points) - Projects should create and share a product or provide a service that can be used by the community the charter school proposes to serve: Provide an overview of the charter school s project plan and project scope. Include a description of the specific dissemination activities the charter school will implement and/or products the school will develop to target the area(s) discussed in Section III above. Required: All applicants are federally required to conduct all of the following dissemination activities: Assist other individuals with the planning and startup of one or more new public schools, including charter schools, that are independent of the assisting charter school and the assisting charter school's developers, and that agree to be held to at least as high a level of accountability as the assisting charter school. Develop partnerships with other public schools, including charter schools, designed to improve student performance in each of the schools participating in the partnership. Develop curriculum materials, assessments, and other materials that promote increased student achievement and are based on successful practices within the assisting charter school. Conduct evaluations and develop materials that document the successful practices of the assisting charter school and are designed to improve student achievement. Required: In addition, all applicants must conduct the following dissemination activities: Make one or more presentations at a national, state, and/or regional conference. Communicate best practices to public schools in the charter school s attendance zone. 9/25/2024 28
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Project Proposal (20 Points) - Projects should create and share a product or provide a service that can be used by the community the charter school proposes to serve: Provide an overview of the charter school s project plan and project scope. Include a description of the specific dissemination activities the charter school will implement and/or products the school will develop to target the area(s) discussed in Section III above (continued from previous slide). Optional: Applicants may propose to conduct one or more of the following activities to earn up to 20 additional priority points (see Section III above): Disseminate best practices that lead to academic success with educationally disadvantaged students in an urban area. Disseminate best practices that lead to academic success with educationally disadvantaged students in a rural area. Disseminate best practices that lead to academic success with students with disabilities. 9/25/2024 29
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Project Proposal (20 Points) - Projects should create and share a product or provide a service that can be used by the community the charter school proposes to serve (continued): Describe how the project activities will involve contributions from similar charter schools as well as from other public schools, local school districts, developers, and potential developers. Describe how the project activities are specifically designed to increase academic success for educationally disadvantaged students. Include a description of the charter school s existing methods to specifically engage and support educationally disadvantaged students. Describe the charter school s outreach plan to inform the public of the availability of your proposed dissemination product and/or service. Include in your description: How the charter school will solicit interest and develop successful partnerships with schools and districts; How the charter school will disseminate its service or product to schools and districts from all parts of the state, including any use of statewide technical assistance organization(s); The commitments that will be required of participating schools and districts in order to participate in the project; How the plan will eliminate distance as a barrier to participation in the proposed dissemination activities; and How the charter school will assist the participating schools and districts in adapting the charter school s program. 9/25/2024 30
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Project Goals and Impact (15 Points) Applicants must develop project goals and objectives for the expected impact of their proposed dissemination activities: Identify 3 to 5 project goals and justify each goal in terms of its value in improving student learning and achievement for Georgia students. At least one goal must specifically address how sharing educational, fiscal, and operational best practices through the dissemination project will assist in improving academic outcomes and access to educational opportunities for educationally disadvantaged students. Describe how the dissemination activities will result in increased student academic achievement in the participating schools and districts, including among educationally disadvantaged students. Describe the methods in which the increase in student academic achievement will be documented by the charter school. Describe the charter school s process for developing or refining the project to be disseminated to allow for ongoing correction and improvement. Describe the methods and ability of the charter school and participating schools and districts to sustain the benefit of the project after the subgrant period expires. 9/25/2024 31
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Project Management Plan (10 Points) All applications are required to submit a comprehensive project management plan with their application that details the school s plan to manage the performance and financial aspects of the subgrant. The plan should include at least the following components: An overall description of how the subgrant will be managed. Provide a list of the key personnel assigned to manage specific aspects of the subgrant and responsible for completion of the work, including collaborators or contractors. Include resumes and/or biographical information for these individuals. Include a project timeline with benchmarks for the proposed project s goals. The school s plan to be compliant, strategic, and responsible with the financial and business aspects of the subgrant. The school s plan to have sufficient cash on hand to front initial subgrant expenditures until reimbursement. The capability of the governing board to oversee the performance and financial components of the subgrant, including compliance with federal regulations and non-regulatory guidance. The capability of the governing board to submit required reports on subgrant activities. The school s plan for financial and programmatic sustainability after the subgrant period ends and subgrant funds are no longer available. Attach a copy of the charter school s conflict of interest policy to verify that an employee of the charter school, and not an employee of any Education Service Provider, is responsible for the direct administration or supervision of the subgrant. The project management plan should describe a direct relationship between the goals and objectives of the application, the planned use of funds requested, and the activities that are to occur during the subgrant period that will lead to positive impact on student academic achievement. 9/25/2024 32
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Project Narrative (continued) Project Evaluation (10 Points) - All proposed projects must include an evaluation plan. This plan should include the following components: A detailed description of how the charter school s performance will be measured against the project goals and objectives identified in Section V. The specific targets, measures, and metrics for each project goal, including the qualitative and quantitative sources of data that will be used to measure progress on each goal. Make sure the accountability measures are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented, and Time- bound). A timeline for measuring progress on each project goal. Include the baseline data that will be measured (i.e., what data will be collected and data sources used). Include the effective evaluation methods that will be used to assess the charter school s progress toward meeting its goals and objectives and allow for ongoing correction and improvement. Note: Progress on each goal must be measured and reported at least once in each subgrant year. Any subgrantee failing to meet or report on its project goals may be placed on an improvement plan or defunded. 9/25/2024 33
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Budget Narrative (10 Points) All applications must include the Georgia Budget Summary and Detail Sheets (see Appendix B) and a separate Budget Narrative. Describe the planned use of the subgrant funds for the project, including how the funds will be used for all participants involved such as consultants. This description must address all years of the subgrant, up to 2 years. Funds must be spent prior to June 30 of each year a subgrant is awarded. Explain how the proposed expenses will allow the charter school to accomplish the project s goals and objectives outlined in Section V above. You may include a table in the narrative that shows how the subgrant funding will be allocated to each project goal. Describe any additional grant funding for operational costs that has been or will be sought by the charter school to contribute to this project, including any federal programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education (supplement, not supplant). Describe the charter school s fiscal autonomy from the local district (if locally-approved). Describe or provide a copy of the charter school s internal financial controls policy to ensure that expenditures will be used appropriately. 9/25/2024 34
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Budget Summary and Detail Sheets (10 Points) The proposed budget and the budget narrative must support the project goals identified in the application. There must be evidence of a clear relationship between the identified goals and how the funds will be spent. The proposed budget must be submitted using the provided Excel budget template. Applicants must budget for an annual programmatic audit. The budget summary must address all years of the subgrant, up to 2 years. Funds need to be spent prior to June 30 of each year a grant is awarded. Applicants are required to budget for free distribution of their proposed project. Applicants are not allowed to charge for their products or services associated with this subgrant. All budget items must be reasonable, allocable, and allowable. All proposed projects are subject to revision. If a project is approved, the applicant will be required to submit a final budget that has been approved by their authorizer and approved by the GaDOE. Note: Dissemination grants must be used to supplement not supplant local or state funding. Funds are intended to increase the number and quality of Georgia charter schools. 9/25/2024 35
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Allowable Costs and Activities Funds are to be used exclusively for the preparation and dissemination of a product or service. Examples of allowable costs and activities for the dissemination grant include: Extended contract time for staff involved in the project including summer work time. Staff expenses must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable and not make up more than 5% of the project s budget. Subgrantees must maintain documentation of the specific project work and payments made to staff to support the use of dissemination subgrant funds to pay for extended contract time. Printing, copying, graphics production, artwork, publishing of materials. Equipment associated with any of these activities will be considered if it is a one-time purchase. Payment of consultants to support the work that is directly related to the dissemination project. Consultant expenses must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable and not make up more than 10% of the project s budget. Subgrantees must maintain documentation of the specific services and payments made to consultants under the dissemination subgrant. Subgrantees shall not pay a flat consultant fee using dissemination subgrant funds. Travel costs associated with presenting at conferences, providing technical assistance, or planning associated with the dissemination subgrant. 9/25/2024 36
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Unallowable Costs and Activities A charter school may not use dissemination subgrant funds, either directly or through a contractor, for: Any expense not directly related to the stated project goals in the application for dissemination subgrant funds; General operating expenses; Indirect costs; Payroll expenses (with exception of funds to cover substitutes if travel or absence is required as part of project); Professional dues or memberships; Costs of continuing education credits for professional development coursework; Employee hiring/recruitment expenses such as a placement firm or travel for prospective employees; Marketing or recruitment activities designed to promote itself or the programs offered by it or by a contractor to parents or the community; Non-educational/non-informative promotional/novelty items for advertising, events, or recruiting; Gift certificates, alcoholic beverages; school apparel for staff or students, fines and penalties, lobbying; Planning for dissemination activities that will occur outside the subgrant period; Purchase or leasing of a school facility; Capital expenses, such as remodeling, technology leases, elevators, water main valves, vans, tractors, bobcats, or permanent fixture of equipment/furniture; To offset or cover costs of preparing and submitting an application for CSP subgrant funds; Expenses outside the scope of the school s charter or K-12 education (e.g., before/after school programs and preschool, activities related to the non-profit organization but not the charter school); and Expenditures that are not allowable, allocable, or reasonable as defined in the Non-Regulatory Guidance Handbook (updated January 2014) and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200). 9/25/2024 37
Dissemination Dissemination Subgrant Application Application Subgrant Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent Application Review Process and Scoring Each application is independently scored by 3 external reviewers. The total number of possible points is 120. Applicants must receive an average score of 80 points before being considered for up to 30 additional priority points and to be recommended for funding. gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org The charter school is physically located in a low-income community AND The charter school serves an educationally disadvantaged student population. Charter School Characteristics (10 Additional Points) The project focuses on disseminating best practices that lead to academic success with educationally disadvantaged students in an URBAN area; The project focuses on disseminating best practices that lead to academic success with educationally disadvantaged students in a RURAL area; AND/OR The project focuses on disseminating best practices that lead to academic success with students with disabilities. Dissemination Project (Up to 20 Additional Points) 9/25/2024 38
Additional Information Additional Information Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org FAQ/Quality Grant Writing Webinar Thursday, December 13th, 2018 Application Deadline Friday, January 18th, 2019 at 4:00 PM State Board of Education Meeting March 28th, 2019 (tentative meeting date at which awards will be considered) Award Notification March 29th, 2019 (tentative date) Managing Your Federal Grant Webinar April 11th, 2019 9/25/2024 39
District Flexibility and District Flexibility and Charter Schools Division Charter Schools Division Richard Woods, Richard Woods, Georgia s School Superintendent Educating Georgia s Future Educating Georgia s Future Georgia s School Superintendent gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org gadoe.org Francesca Black Division Attorney fblack@doe.k12.ga.us (404) 656-0027 Allen Mueller Director amueller@doe.k12.ga.us (404) 657-2529 Louis J. Erste Associate Superintendent lerste@doe.k12.ga.us (404) 651-8734 Kerry Pritchard Accountability Manager kpritchard@doe.k12.ga.us (404) 558-9443 Latoya Satterwhite Administrative Assistant lsatterwhite@doe.k12.ga.us (404) 657-0515 David Kim Wiggins Grants & Financial Manager kwiggins@doe.k12.ga.us (404) 657-2948 9/25/2024 40
