84.282D State Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202

FY 2014

APPLICATION FOR GRANTS

UNDER THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES INCENTIVE GRANTS PROGRAM

CFDA Number: 84.282D

FORM APPROVED

OMB No. 1855-0012, EXP. DATE XX/XX/20XX

DATED MATERIAL - OPEN IMMEDIATELY

Closing Date: XX/XX/2014

Public Burden Statement:

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 40 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain benefit (Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001). Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 1855-0012. Note: Please do not return the completed application to this address.

U NITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Innovation and Improvement

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the State Charter School Facilities Incentive Grants Program. Included in this application package are the instructions and forms needed to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Education. A copy of the Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, the authorizing statute, and program regulations are provided in the application package. Please take the time to review these documents thoroughly.

Please read the document within this application package titled Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants which describes the submission procedures to ensure your application is received in a timely and acceptable manner. The applications for the State Charter School Facilities Incentive Grants Program (CFDA 84.282D) for FY 2014 must be submitted electronically using the governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov on or before the deadline date. The electronic submission of applications is required; therefore, you must submit an electronic application unless you follow the procedures in the Federal Register Notice and qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement. If you think you may need an exception, you are urged to review the requirements promptly.

Please note that U.S. Department of Education grant application deadlines are 4:30:00 P.M. Washington, D.C. time. Applications submitted late will not be accepted. The Department is required to enforce the established deadline to ensure fairness to all applicants. We suggest that you submit your application several days before the deadline, and we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application.

An OII Program Officer is available to provide technical assistance to applicants. If you have any questions about the program after reviewing the application package, please call or e-mail Kristin Lundholm at (202) 205-4352 or kristin.lundholm@ed.gov. For questions or problems in navigating the Grants.gov system, please call Grants.gov helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726.

We look forward to receiving your application and appreciate your efforts in assisting and expanding the number of high quality charter schools across the Nation.

Sincerely,

Stefan Huh

Charter Schools Program Director

Office of Innovation and Improvement

SECTION A

GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION B

FEDERAL REGISTER

NOTICE, PROGRAM STATUTE, AND PROGRAM REGULATIONS

Insert Application Notice here

Program Statue

Subpart 1 —Charter School Programs

Section 5205 (b) PER-PUPIL FACILITIES AID PROGRAMS-

(1) DEFINITION OF PER-PUPIL FACILITIES AID PROGRAM- In this subsection, the term per-pupil facilities aid program' means a program in which a State makes payments, on a per-pupil basis, to charter schools to provide the schools with financing —

(A) that is dedicated solely for funding charter school facilities; or

(B) a portion of which is dedicated for funding charter school facilities.

(2) GRANTS-

(A) IN GENERAL- From the amount made available to carry out this subsection under paragraphs (2) and (3)(B) of section 5211(b) for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of establishing or enhancing, and administering per-pupil facilities aid programs.

(B) PERIOD- The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection for periods of not more than 5 years.

(C) FEDERAL SHARE- The Federal share of the cost described in subparagraph (A) for a per-pupil facilities aid program shall be not more than —

(i) 90 percent of the cost, for the first fiscal year for which the program receives assistance under this subsection;

(ii) 80 percent in the second such year;

(iii) 60 percent in the third such year;

(iv) 40 percent in the fourth such year; and

(v) 20 percent in the fifth such year.

(3) USE OF FUNDS-

(A) IN GENERAL- A State that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the funds made available through the grant to establish or enhance, and administer, a per-pupil facilities aid program for charter schools in the State.

(B) EVALUATIONS; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; DISSEMINATION- From the amount made available to a State through a grant under this subsection for a fiscal year, the State may reserve not more than 5 percent to carry out evaluations, to provide technical assistance, and to disseminate information.

(C) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT- Funds made available under this subsection shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, State and local public funds expended to provide per pupil facilities aid programs, operations financing programs, or other programs, for charter schools.

(4) REQUIREMENTS-

(A) VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION- No State may be required to participate in a program carried out under this subsection.

(B) STATE LAW- To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall establish or enhance, and administer, a per-pupil facilities aid program for charter schools in the State,

that —

(i) is specified in State law; and

(ii) provides annual financing, on a per-pupil basis, for charter school facilities.

(5) APPLICATIONS- To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(6) PRIORITIES- In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to States that meet the criteria described in paragraph (2), and subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (3), of section 5202(e).

(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this section shall be construed to require charter schools to collect any data described in subsection (a).

Subsection cross-referenced under Section 5205(B)(6)

Section 5202 (e) PRIORITY TREATMENT-

(1) IN GENERAL- In awarding grants under this subpart for fiscal year 2002 or any succeeding fiscal year from any funds appropriated under section 5211 (other than funds reserved to carry out section 5205(b)), the Secretary shall give priority to States to the extent that the States meet the criteria described in paragraph (2) and one or more of the criteria described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (3).

(2) REVIEW AND EVALUATION PRIORITY CRITERIA- The criteria referred to in paragraph (1) are that the State provides for periodic review and evaluation by the authorized public chartering agency of each charter school, at least once every 5 years unless required more frequently by State law, to determine whether the charter school is meeting the terms of the school's charter, and is meeting or exceeding the student academic achievement requirements and goals for charter schools as set forth under State law or the school's charter.

(3) PRIORITY CRITERIA- The criteria referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:

(A) The State has demonstrated progress, in increasing the number of high-quality charter schools that are held accountable in the terms of the schools' charters for meeting clear and measurable objectives for the educational progress of the students attending the schools, in the period prior to the period for which a State educational agency or eligible applicant applies for a grant under this subpart.

(B) The State —

(i) provides for one authorized public chartering agency that is not a local educational agency, such as a State chartering board, for each individual or entity seeking to operate a charter school pursuant to such State law; or

(ii) in the case of a State in which local educational agencies are the only authorized public chartering agencies, allows for an appeals process for the denial of an application for a charter school.

(C) The State ensures that each charter school has a high degree of autonomy over the charter school's budgets and expenditures.

Program Regulations

PART 226--STATE CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Subpart A--General

Sec.

226.1 What is the State Charter School Facilities Incentive program?

226.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant?

226.3 What regulations apply to the State Charter School Facilities Incentive program?

226.4 What definitions apply to the State Charter School Facilities Incentive program?

Subpart B--How Does the Secretary Award a Grant?

226.11 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?

226.12 What selection criteria does the Secretary use in evaluating an application for a State Charter School Facilities Incentive program grant?

226.13 What statutory funding priority does the Secretary use in making a grant award?

226.14 What other funding priorities may the Secretary use in making a grant award?

Subpart C--What Conditions Must Be Met by a Grantee?

226.21 How may charter schools use these funds?

226.22 May grantees use grant funds for administrative costs?

226.23 May charter schools use grant funds for administrative costs?

AUTHORITY: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3; 7221d(b), unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A -- General

§226.1 What is the State Charter School Facilities Incentive program?

(a) The State Charter School Facilities Incentive program provides grants to States to help charter schools pay for facilities.

(b) Grantees must use these grants to--

(1) Establish new per-pupil facilities aid programs for charter schools;

(2) Enhance existing per-pupil facilities aid programs for charter schools; or

(3) Administer programs described under paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b))

§226.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant?

States are eligible to receive grants under this program.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221(b))

§226.3 What regulations apply to the State Charter School Facilities Incentive program?

The following regulations apply to the State Charter School Facilities Incentive program:

(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:

(1) 34 CFR part 74 (Administration of Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit Organizations).

(2) 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).

(3) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations).

(4) 34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities).

(5) 34 CFR part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).

(6) 34 CFR part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement).

(7) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).

(8) 34 CFR part 84 (Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)).

(9) 34 CFR part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)).

(10) 34 CFR part 97 (Protection of Human Subjects).

(11) 34 CFR part 98 (Student Rights in Research, Experimental Programs, and Testing).

(12) 34 CFR part 99 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy).

(b) The regulations in this part 226.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3; 7221d(b))

§226.4 What definitions apply to the State Charter School Facilities Incentive program?

(a) Definitions in the statute. The following term used in this part is defined in section 5210 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA):

Charter school

(b) Definitions in EDGAR. The following terms used in this part are defined in 34 CFR 77.1:

Applicant

Application

Award

Department

EDGAR

Facilities

Grant

Grantee

Project

Public

Secretary

(c) Other definition. The following definition also applies to this part:

Construction means--

(1) Preparing drawings and specifications for school facilities projects;

(2) Repairing, renovating, or altering school facilities;

(3) Extending school facilities;

(4) Erecting or building school facilities; and

(5) Inspections or supervision related to school facilities.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b); 7221i(1))

Subpart B –- How Does the Secretary Award a Grant?

§226.11 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?

(a) The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the criteria in §226.12 and the competitive preference priorities in §226.13 and §226.14.

(b) The Secretary informs applicants of the maximum possible score for each criterion and competitive preference priority in the application package or in a notice published in the Federal Register.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b))

§226.12 What selection criteria does the Secretary use in evaluating an application for a State Charter School Facilities Incentive program grant?

The selection criteria for this program are as follows:

(a) Need for facility funding. (1) The need for per-pupil charter school facility funding in the State.

(2) The extent to which the proposal meets the need to fund charter school facilities on a per-pupil basis.

(b) Quality of plan. (1) The likelihood that the proposed grant project will result in the State either retaining a new per-pupil facilities aid program or continuing to enhance such a program without the total amount of assistance (State and Federal) declining over a five-year period.

(2) The flexibility charter schools have in their use of facility funds for the various authorized purposes.

(3) The quality of the plan for identifying charter schools and determining their eligibility to receive funds.

(4) The per-pupil facilities aid formula’s ability to target resources to charter schools with the greatest need and the highest proportions of students in poverty.

(5) For projects that plan to reserve funds for evaluation, the quality of the applicant’s plan to use grant funds for this purpose.

(6) For projects that plan to reserve funds for technical assistance, dissemination, or personnel, the quality of the applicant’s plan to use grant funds for these purposes.

(c) The grant project team. (1) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the project manager and other members of the grant project team, including employees not paid with grant funds, consultants, and subcontractors.

(2) The adequacy and appropriateness of the applicant’s staffing plan for the grant project.

(d) The budget. (1) The extent to which the requested grant amount and the project costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed grant project.

(2) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the number of students served and to the anticipated results and benefits.

(3) The extent to which the non-Federal share exceeds the minimum percentages (which are based on the percentages under section 5205(b)(2)(C) of the ESEA), particularly in the initial years of the program.

(e) State experience. The experience of the State in addressing the facility needs of charter schools through various means, including providing per-pupil aid, access to State loan or bonding pools, and the use of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1855-0012)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b))

§226.13 What statutory funding priority does the Secretary use in making a grant award?

The Secretary shall award additional points under a competitive preference priority regarding:

(a) Periodic Review and Evaluation. The State provides for periodic review and evaluation by the authorized public chartering agency of each charter school at least once every five years unless required more frequently by State law, to determine whether the charter school is meeting the terms of the school’s charter and is meeting or exceeding the student academic performance requirements and goals for charter schools as set forth under State law or the school’s charter.

(b) Number of High-Quality Charter Schools. The State has demonstrated progress in increasing the number of high-quality charter schools that are held accountable in the terms of the schools’ charters for meeting clear and measurable objectives for the educational progress of the students attending the schools, in the period prior to the period for which the State applies for a grant under this competition.

(c) One Authorized Public Chartering Agency Other than an LEA, or an Appeals Process. The State --

(1) Provides for one authorized public chartering agency that is not a local educational agency (LEA), such as a State chartering board, for each individual or entity seeking to operate a charter school pursuant to State law; or

(2) In the case of a State in which LEAs are the only authorized public chartering agencies, allows for an appeals process for the denial of an application for a charter school.

(d) High Degree of Autonomy. The State ensures that each charter school has a high degree of autonomy over the charter school’s budgets and expenditures.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1855-0012)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221b; 7221d(b))

§226.14 What other funding priorities may the Secretary use in making a grant award?

(a) The Secretary may award points to an application under a competitive preference priority regarding the capacity of charter schools to offer public school choice in those communities with the greatest need for this choice based on--

(1) The extent to which the applicant would target services to geographic areas in which a large proportion or number of public schools have been identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under title I of the ESEA;

(2) The extent to which the applicant would target services to geographic areas in which a large proportion of students perform poorly on State academic assessments; and

(3) The extent to which the applicant would target services to communities with large proportions of low-income students.

(b) The Secretary may award points to an application under a competitive preference priority for applicants that have not previously received a grant under the program.

(c) The Secretary may elect to consider the points awarded under these priorities only for proposals that exhibit sufficient quality to warrant funding under the selection criteria in §226.12 of this part.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1855-0012)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b))

Subpart C –- What Conditions Must Be Met by a Grantee?

§226.21 How may charter schools use these funds?

(a) Charter schools that receive grant funds through their State must use the funds for facilities. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, allowable expenditures include:

(1) Rent.

(2) Purchase of building or land.

(3) Construction.

(4) Renovation of an existing school facility.

(5) Leasehold improvements.

(6) Debt service on a school facility.

(b) Charter schools may not use these grant funds for purchasing land when they have no immediate plans to construct a building on that land.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b))

§226.22 May grantees use grant funds for administrative costs?

State grantees may use up to five percent of their grant award for administrative expenses that include: indirect costs, evaluation, technical assistance, dissemination, personnel costs, and any other costs involved in administering the State’s per-pupil facilities aid program.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b))

§226.23 May charter schools use grant funds for administrative costs?

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, charter school subgrantees may use grant funds for administrative costs that are necessary and reasonable for the proper and efficient performance and administration of this Federal grant. This use of funds, as well as indirect costs and rates, must comply with EDGAR and the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-87 (Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments).

(b) Consistent with the requirements in 34 CFR 75.564(c)(2), any charter school subgrantees that use grant funds for construction activities may not be reimbursed for indirect costs for those activities.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3; 7221d(b)

SECTION C

GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Instructions for Other Attachments

Attach additional documents to the “Other Attachments Form” in the application package in Grants.gov. These documents would be supplementary statements and other requested information.

In addition to the program narrative, applications should include resumes for key personnel. Before preparing additional documentation, applicants should review the Federal Register notice, the Dear Applicant Letter, and the program statute for specific guidance and requirements. Note that applications will be evaluated according to the specific selection criteria specified in the Federal Register notice.

To facilitate the review of the application, please organize your attachments in the following order:

1. Table 1 - Charter School Aid Paid by State

2. Table 3 - Grant Funds as a Percentage of the Cost of Per-Pupil Facilities Aid

3. Bill or enacted statute

4. Resumes/Curriculum Vitae

5. Appendices

Resumes/Curriculum Vitae: Provide resumes/curriculum vitae for the project director as well as any key personnel identified in the application.

Priorities and Project Selection Criteria

The Challenge: Helping Charter Schools and Promoting School Choice

Charter schools have difficulty obtaining adequate facilities for various reasons. One major obstacle is that charter schools that are freestanding local educational agencies (LEAs) generally lack the authority to raise property taxes. This inability to raise taxes, combined with the inherent risk that charter schools need to renew their charters to remain open, makes it difficult for investors to risk financing the purchase of school facilities. A 2003 General Accounting Office (GAO) publication, Charter Schools: New Charter Schools Across the Country and in the District of Columbia Face Similar Start-Up Challenges, details their difficulties obtaining facilities. This study indicates that because financing a facility is difficult for charter schools, many of them rely on their per-pupil operating allocations to pay for their facility costs. These allocations are generally designed to be large enough to just cover operating expenses, not capital expenses such as facilities.

The State Charter School Facilities Incentive Grants program is intended to encourage States to develop per-pupil facilities aid programs and share in the costs associated with charter schools facilities funding.

Charter schools serve as a key to providing meaningful public school choice. In addition, the number of charter schools that grantees will be able to serve with these funds is limited. Consequently, proposals that focus funds on areas that need school choice the most will score higher than other proposals.

The Secretary will select for funding under the State Charter School Facilities Incentive Grants program those applications that are deemed of highest overall quality. Experts in charter schools and education finance will review the applications and assign to each application up to XXX points using the Project Selection Criteria and corresponding weights described in this section and the Competitive Priorities. Each criterion includes factors the reviewers will consider in determining how well an application meets the criterion.

Reviewers will use their own professional judgment to assess the quality of each application against these criteria. To be competitive, applicants must address each of the selection criteria fully and clearly. We recommend that applicants organize their application narrative around the Competitive Priorities and the Project Selection Criteria.

The Competitive Priority for applicants that propose a grant project that increases the capacity of charter schools to offer school choice in those communities with the greatest need for public school choice (XX points):

This criterion focuses on the likelihood that the proposed project will increase the capacity of charter schools to provide public school choice in those geographic areas where school choice is needed most. Part of this need to provide public school choice is related to Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act as amended. Under Title I, school districts are required to provide public school choice to students in schools that have either (1) failed to make adequate yearly progress for two years, or (2) are considered to be persistently dangerous.

Factors that will be considered in assessing the applicant’s proposal to address school facility capacity issues related to increasing the capacity of charter schools to provide public school choice in those communities with the greatest need for such choice, including:

• The extent to which the applicant would target services to geographic areas in which a large proportion or number of public schools have been identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under title I of the ESEA;

• The extent to which the applicant would target services to geographic areas in which a large proportion of students perform poorly on State academic assessments; and

• The extent to which the applicant would target services to communities with large proportions of low-income students.

The Competitive Priority for new grantees (XX points):

The Secretary awards XX points for applications from States that have not previously received a grant under the program.

The Competitive Priority for grant applicants with relatively strong charter school programs. (XX points)

An applicant with a State educational agency (SEA) that does not meet any one of the four statutory criteria will not receive any priority points. In order to receive preference, an applicant must identify the statutory criteria that it meets and provide documentation supporting its claims.

Factors that will be considered in assessing the competitive priority are:

• Periodic Review and Evaluation. The State provides for periodic review and evaluation by the authorized public chartering agency of each charter school at least once every 5 years unless required more frequently by State law, to determine whether the charter school is meeting the terms of the school’s charter, and is meeting or exceeding the student academic performance requirements and goals for charter schools as provided under State law or the school’s charter.

• Number of High-Quality Charter Schools. The State has demonstrated progress in increasing the number of high-quality charter schools that are held accountable in the terms of the schools’ charters for meeting clear and measurable objectives for the educational progress of the students attending the schools, in the period prior to the period for which the State applies for a grant under this competition.

• One Authorized Public Chartering Agency Other than an LEA, or an Appeals Process. The State --

(1) Provides for one authorized public chartering agency that is not an local educational agency (LEA), such as a State chartering board, for each individual or entity seeking to operate a charter school pursuant to State law; or

(2) In the case of a State in which LEAs are the only authorized public chartering agencies, allows for an appeals process for the denial of an application for a charter school.

• High Degree of Autonomy. The State ensures that each charter school has a high degree of autonomy over the charter school’s budgets and expenditures.

A. The selection criteria related to the applicant’s capacity to carry out the proposed grant project include:

1) Need for facility funding (XX points)

This criterion rewards applicants that need the Federal funds to meet the facility needs of charter schools in the State. The materials that reviewers will take into account when rating against this selection criterion include:

• State budget proposals and tables.

• A description of how charter schools’ costs in total (operating, capital, and interest costs) are financed in the State and the level of that funding.

• A description of how public school facilities are financed within the State with a focus on a comparison between how facilities are financed for charter schools and regular public schools.

• A description of what represents an adequate amount of facilities funding for charter schools in the State.

• A description of the unmet need for charter school facility funding absent the assistance that would be provided under the proposal.

Factors that will be considered in assessing the adequacy of facility funding include:

• The need for per-pupil charter school facility funding in the State.

• The extent to which the proposal meets the need to fund charter school facilities on a per-pupil basis.

2) Quality of plan (XX points)

This criterion focuses on the quality of the State’s plan for delivering per-pupil facilities aid to charter schools.

The materials that reviewers will take into account when rating against this selection criterion include:

• Enabling statutes and other relevant legislation, such as appropriation legislation or tables.

• Table 1 – Per-Pupil Facilities Aid Paid by State.

• Table 3 – Grant Funds as a Percentage of the Cost of Per-Pupil Facilities Aid.

• State budget proposals and tables.

• A description of how charter schools’ facility costs are financed in the State and the level of that funding, and how the distribution and level of funding would change under the plan.

• A statement identifying the activities proposed to be undertaken with grant funds and the timeline for the activities, including the distribution of funds, and the procedures the applicant will use for documenting grant project procedures and results.

Factors that will be considered in assessing the quality of the plan include:

• The likelihood that the proposed grant project will result in the State either retaining a new per-pupil facilities aid program or continuing to enhance such a program without the total amount of assistance (State and Federal) declining over a five-year period.

• The flexibility charter schools have in their use of facility funds for the various authorized purposes.

• The quality of the plan for identifying charter schools and determining their eligibility to receive funds.

• The per-pupil facilities aid formula’s ability to target resources to charter schools with the greatest need and the highest proportions of students in poverty.

• For projects that plan to reserve funds for evaluation, the quality of the applicant’s plan to use grant funds for this purpose.

• For projects that plan to reserve funds for technical assistance, dissemination, or personnel, the quality of the applicant’s plan to use grant funds for these purposes.

3) The grant project team (XX points).

This criterion focuses on the relevant training and experience of key grant project personnel, consultants, and subcontractors. Successful applicants will plan to use the services of individuals with substantial experience and expertise in education finance, charter schools, and other appropriate areas.

The materials that reviewers will take into account when rating against this selection criterion include:

• A description of current job responsibilities, the educational background, and the experience and skills of each member of the grant project team as described in current resumes. The resumes should pay particular attention to experience in the fields of education finance and charter schools. Position qualification statements should be provided for any staff, including through contracts, the applicant plans to hire for the project.

• A staffing plan for the project, including a description of the assignments by activity or service.

Factors used to assess the grant project team include:

• The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the project manager and other members of the grant project team, including employees not paid with grant funds, consultants, and subcontractors.

• The adequacy and appropriateness of the applicant’s staffing plan for the grant project.

4) The budget (XX points)

This criterion focuses on the reasonableness of the budget.

The materials reviewers will take into account when rating against this selection criterion include:

• Table 2 -- Budget Form

• Table 3 -- Grant Funds as a Percentage of the Cost of Per-Pupil Facilities Aid

• State budget proposals and tables.

• A description of how charter schools’ costs in total (operating, capital, and interest costs) are financed in the State and the level of that funding.

• A description of how public school facilities are financed within the State with focus on a comparison between how facilities are financed for charter schools and regular public schools.

• A description of the unmet need for charter school facility funding absent the assistance that would be provided under the proposal.

Factors used to assess the budget include:

• The extent to which the requested grant amount and the project costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed grant project.

• The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the number of students served and to the anticipated results and benefits.

• The extent to which the non-Federal share exceeds the minimum percentages (which are based on the percentages under section 5205(b)(2)(C) of the ESEA), particularly in the initial years of the program.

5) State experience (XX points)

This criterion focuses on the experience the State has with helping charter schools meet their facility needs.

The materials reviewers will take into account when rating against this selection criterion include:

• State budget proposals and tables.

• A description of how charter schools’ costs in total (operating, capital, and interest costs) are financed in the State and the level of that funding.

• Enabling statutes and other relevant legislation, such as appropriation legislation or tables.

• A description of how public school facilities are financed within the State with focus on a comparison between how facilities are financed for charter schools and regular public schools.

The factor used to assess the State’s experience is:

• The experience of the State in addressing the facility needs of charter schools through various means, including providing per-pupil aid, access to State loan or bonding pools, and the use of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds.

Table 1 – Charter School Aid Paid by State

Source	Fiscal year 20XX	Fiscal year 20XX	Fiscal year 20XX	Fiscal	Fiscal year 20XX	Fiscal year 20XX	Fiscal year 20XX	Fiscal year 20XX	Fiscal year 20XX
				year
				20XX1
1. Number of pupils in average daily attendance in charter schools
2. a. Per-pupil funding for charter school facilities in total 2
2. b. Per-pupil funding for charter school facilities per charter school student in average daily attendance
3. a. Other funding for charter schools 3
3. b. Other funding for charter schools per charter school student in average daily attendance
Total

¹ The State’s fiscal year 20XX begins on ___________ and ends on _________. If the State has not yet made a decision about the level of funding for these activities in Fiscal Year 20XX, please indicate the status of funding for Fiscal Year 20XX in the State for these activities. The purpose of this table is to determine total amount of per-pupil facilities aid and assistance in general for charter schools.

² This funding includes funds that are distributed on a per-pupil basis that are (1) dedicated solely for funding charter school facilities and (2) the portion of funds that are dedicated for charter school facilities that are part of a distribution of funds that may be used for other purposes, such as operating expenses for charter schools or facility funds for regular public schools.

³ These funds include operating funds for charter schools, per-pupil allocations to charter schools that are not designated solely for facilities, facilities funds that are not awarded to charter schools on a per-pupil basis.

Table 2 -Budget Form: Grant Funds Expenditures

Budget categories	Project year 1	Project year 2	Project year 3	Project year 4	Project year 5	Total
A. Administrative funds (5%)
A.1. Indirect costs
A.2. Evaluation
A.3. Technical assistance
A.4. Dissemination
A.5. Personnel costs not associated with evaluation, technical assistance, or dissemination
A. Total administrative costs
B. Per-pupil facilities aid for charter schools
Per-pupil funding for charter school facilities
C. Grand total – Federal grant request

Instructions for Table 2 -- Budget Form: Grant Funds Expenditures

A. Administrative funds:

A.1. Indirect costs: Many organizations have indirect cost rates established with the U.S. Department of Education which allow those organizations to spend a portion of their grant funds on a share of the total organization costs such as rent and utilities. For this grant you may choose to claim indirect costs, but the total amount may not exceed five percent. Also, if you choose to claim indirect costs, the sum of your indirect costs and your other administrative costs combined may not exceed five percent.

A. Total administrative costs: The total for this line should include the sum of lines A.1. through A.5. This line cannot exceed five percent of the requested amount for any fiscal year.

B. Per-pupil facilities aid for charter schools

This funding includes funds that are distributed on a per-pupil basis that are (1) dedicated solely for funding charter school facilities and (2) the portion of funds that are dedicated for charter school facilities that are part of a distribution of funds that may be used for other purposes, such as operating expenses for charter schools or facility funds for regular public schools.

C. Grand Total

The amount in the total column for this row should be the same as the request on Form ED 424.

Table 3 - Grant Funds as a Percentage of the Cost of Per-Pupil Facilities Aid

Budget Categories	Project year 1*	Project year 2	Project year 3	Project year 4	Project year 5	Total
A. Line C, Grand total, from Table 2 – Budget Form
B. Line 1, State per-pupil funding for charter school facilities, from Table 1 -- Charter School Aid Paid by State
C. Total
D. Federal grant request (Line A., Table 3) as a percentage of the cost of per-pupil facilities aid (Line C., Table 3)

*Project Year 1 is the same as State fiscal year 20XX unless the applicant explicitly notes and explains which project year maps to which State fiscal year.

Program-Specific Assurance

I assure that my State intends to provide (either alone or with the assistance of other parties, such as foundations) annual funding, on a per-pupil basis, for charter school facilities. Furthermore, I am aware that the Federal share declines in accordance with the table below:

Matching Requirement for State charter school facilities incentive grants program, by Grant Project Year

		Non-Federal share	Amount	Federal share (maximum)	Amount
Year 1		10%		90%
Year 2		20%		80%
Year 3		40%		60%
Year 4		60%		40%
Year 5		80%		20%

_____________________ _____________________

Signature Title

SECTION D

INSTRUCTIONS TO STANDARD FORMS AND GRANT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

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