The Early ReadingFirst Program

CFDA # 84.359 A and B

Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiativeswww.ed.gov/faithandcommunity

Agenda Overview of program purpose

Outline application info

Address selection criteria

Write pre and full proposals

Program Purpose Create preschool centers of excellence

Improve quality of teacher instruction

Make classroom environment more conducive to learning

Better prepare children to overcome or avoid future reading difficulties

Program Activities Train teachers using scientifically based reading research methods to better instruct and screen preschool children

Develop children’s abilities in: oral language phonological awareness print awareness alphabet knowledge

Program Results Meet the needs of target population

Professional development for teachers

Disseminate best practices/model curricula

Replicate success nationally

Produce life long learners

Target Population Profile

Urban or rural high-poverty communities

Low-income preschool age children including children with:

disabilities (learning or physical) limited English proficiency

Not for starting preschools—ratherenhancing existing ones

Applicant Eligibility 1 or more “Eligible LEAs” identified on list

www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/earlyreadingfirst/index.html See notice on eligibility details for LEAs

1 or more public or private organizations located in LEA area serving young children

Combination of the first two

Writing tip: Partnerships encouraged

Selecting Targeted Preschools Start small—5 centers more or less to ensure quality results

Stable, established preschools/centers

Provide specific detail as how centers currently address needs of children:

social emotional physical

ActivitiesLesson plansEvaluations

Application Information Applications available: March 17, 2003

Two-tier review process: Pre-Application —April 11, 2003 Full Application —June 27, 2003

Grants awarded late summer ‘03

Estimates: Number of awards: 17—250 Budget: $300,000 to $1.5 million annually for 3 years

Contingent upon Congressional authorization

Understanding the Process Grants process at ED: www.ed.gov What Should I Know About ED Grants

Apply for Early Reading First: Grant application notice available at: www.ed.gov/GrantApp/#84.359

Contact program office with questions:

Mary Ann Lesiak or Jill StewartPhone: 202-260-4555 (TDD) 1-800-877-8339email: erf@ed.gov

Pre-Application Format Possible 115 points with competitive priorities can be earned

Reviewed by a panel of experts

Up to 2 pages describing project

10 pages address selection criteria

Appendix Address criteria in order

laid out in application

Grant Writing Suggestions Clear, concise, and detailed

Recipe: 2/3 planning & 1/3 writing Don’t repeat the selection criteria;

Address the selection criteria Persuade through facts over rhetoric

Utilize research and data

Ambitious but attainable objectives

Resources Early Reading First homepage

National Reading Panel

National Institute for Literacy

Academic tool kits

Experts in your community

www.nationalreadingpanel.org/Publications/subgroups.htm

Invitational Priorities Partnerships: SEAs and or LEAs

with preschool not controlled by LEA Preschools’ goals aligned with state guidelines for grades K-12 Higher, more uniform standards

Projects serve children with special needs—disabilities, language barriersNo points awarded for addressing these priorities

Competitive PrioritiesPre-Application 84.359 A

Children from low-income families Worth 10 points (Submit Form B) Preschools located in eligible LEA service area 75% of children enrolled qualify for reduced lunch 75% of elementary school children in service area qualify for reduced lunch

Novice Applicant Worth 5 points (Check block 6 on 424) Has not administered a federal grant for 5 years Applies to all parties in a partnership

Context Description No direct point value for this section

Sets tone for the application

Detail current status of existing centers ID preschools (list full address in Appendix) Outline instructional program Funding source(s) Number of staff; qualifications, part time or full Number of children served and any special needs Include demographic/socioeconomic factors

Selection CriteriaPre-Application 84.359 A

Vision 25 pts

Key Research and Program Design 40 pts

Continuity and Coordination with 10 pts Formal School Instruction

Measuring Success 25 pts

Vision Detail end result of how current centers would be transformed

Where you are now and where you want to be Be creative and comprehensive Explain vision in persuasive manner

Link end result to the research model or models you propose

Lay out goals for centers of excellence Ensure that goals are aligned with vision Demonstrate vision is feasible and attainable

Key Research & Program Design Link design to the research

Explain why and how strategies selected Activities support project goals

Compare/contrast current curricula with changes under new model

Address how to involve parents

Provide citations

Continuity & CoordinationWith Formal School

Describe state preschool standards for cognitive domain if applicable

Explain how applicant’s project prepares children to meet standards

Preschool level and or lowest grade with standards for reading and language arts

Use specific examples if possible

Measuring Success Plan for determining project success

Note key outcomes of project and how to measure their success in

Classroom environment, instructional practices, and children’s learning Measures will be evaluated on quality and appropriateness for target population

Plans for continuing improvement and dissemination of findings

Full Application Format Successful pre-applicants invited to submit full proposals

Full is comparable to pre-application but differs significantly in key ways

With novice status 105 points possible

Page limit: 2 context; 35 narrative; and 5 pages for budget narrative

Full ApplicationSelection Criteria 84.359 B

Capacity and Significance 15 pts

Quality of Project Activities 35 pts and Services

Quality of Project Personnel 10 pts

Quality of Management Plan 20 pts

Quality of Project Evaluation 20 pts

Winning Reminders Follow directions carefully

Implement reader comments

Use most recent data available

Be specific, unique, and creative

Pool resources and partner

A cookie-cutter approach won’t work

Best of luck in applying for an Early Reading First Grant!