**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 X** **X/XX/20XX**

**DATED MATERIAL -**  **OPEN IMMEDIATELY Closing Date:**  **XX/XX/ 2014**  **Public Burden Statem ent:**  According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collectio n 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 N o 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 - 45 37 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 1855 - 0012 . Note: Please do not return the completed application to this address.2 **UNITED 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 Educ ation. 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 th e 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 Ch arter 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 electron ic 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 appl i cants. 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 que s tions 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 schoo ls across the Nation. Sincerely, Stefan Huh Charter Schools Program Director Office of Innovation and Improvement3



# SECTION A **GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS** 4



# SECTION B **FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE, PROGRAM STATUTE,**  **AN D**  **PROGRAM REGULATIONS** 5

Insert Application Notice here6



## Program**Statue Subpart 1** 
**— Charter School Programs**  **Section 5205 (b) PER -**  **PUPIL FACILITIES AID PROGRAMS -** 

(1) DEFINIT ION OF PER - PUPIL FACILITIES AID PROGRAM - In this subsection, the term per - pupil faci lities 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 dedicate d 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 an y fiscal year, the Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive basi s, 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) EVALUAT IONS; TECHNI CALASSI STANCE; DI SSEMINATION - 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 subsect ion shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, State and local public funds expended to provide per7 pupil facilities aid programs, operations financing programs, or other programs, for charter schools. (4) REQUIREMENTS - (A) VOLUNTARY PARTI CI PATION - 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) APPLICAT IONS - To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall submit an appl ication to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (6) PRI ORITIES - 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 an y data described in subsection (a). **Subsection cross -**  **refer enced under Section 5205(B)(6)**  **Section 5202 (e) PRIORITY TREATMENT -** 

(1) IN GENERAL - In awarding grants under this subpart for fiscal year 2002 or an y succeeding fiscal year from an y 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 CRI TERIA - The criteria referred to in paragraph (1) are that the State provides for periodic review and evaluation b y the authorized public chartering agency of each charter school, at least once every 5 ye ars unless required more frequentl y b y 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 chart er.8 (3) PRI ORITY 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 m eeting 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.9



## Program**Regulations** PART 226 -- STATE CHARTER SCHOOLFACILITIES 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 appl y t o 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 Secr etary 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 b y 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.10

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 a id 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).11 (5) 34 CFR part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and L ocal Governments). (6) 34 CFR part 81 (General Education Provisions Act -- Enforcement). (7) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on L obbying). (8) 34 CFR part 84 (Governmentwide Requirements for Drug - Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)). (9) 34 CFR part 85 (Governmentwi de 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 re gulations 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 Application12 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 §226.14.13 (b) The Secretary

informs applicants of the maximum possible score f or 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) Qualit y 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 - ye ar period. (2) The flexibility

charter schools have in their use of facility funds for the various authorized purposes. (3) The qualit y of the plan for identifying charte r 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.14 (6) For projects that plan to reserve funds for technical assistance, dissemination, or personnel, the quality

of the applicant’s plan to use grant fund s 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 emplo ye es 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 potent ial 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), particularl y 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 m eans, including providing per - pupil aid, access to State loan or bonding pools, and the use of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. (Approved b y the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1855 - 0012) (Authority : 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b)) §226.13 What statutory

funding priorit y does the Secretary use in making a grant award ? The Secretary

shall award additional points under a competitive preference priority regarding:15 (a) Periodic Review and Evaluation . The State provides for periodic review and evaluation b y the authorized public chartering agency of each charter school at least once every five years unless required more frequentl y 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 charte r 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 gr ant 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 autonom y over the charter school’s budgets and expenditures. (Approved b y the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1855 - 0012) (Authority : 20 U.S.C. 7221b; 7221d(b))16

§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 priorit y regarding the capacity of charter scho ols 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 priorit y for applicants that have not previously r eceived 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 b y th e 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 ?17 (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 an y other costs involved in admi nistering 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 of18

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), an y charter school subgrantees that use grant funds for construction activities may not be reimbursed f

or indirect costs for those activities. (Authority : 20 U.S.C. 1221e - 3; 7221d(b)19



# SECTION C **GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND**  **INFORMATION**20 

## Instructions for Other Attachments Attach a dditional documents to the “Other Attachments Form” in th e 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 enact ed statute 4. Resumes/Curriculum Vitae 5. Appendices Resumes/Curriculum Vitae : Provide resumes/curriculum vitae for the project director as well as an y ke y personnel identified in the application.21 

## 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) generall y 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 G eneral 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 financi ng 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 generall y designed to be large enough to just cover operating expenses, not capital expenses s uch 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 serv e 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 sco re 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 r eview 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 d etermining 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

an d clearl y. We recommend that applicants organize their application narrative around the Competitive Priorities and the Project Selection Criteria.22

**The Competitive Priority for applicants that propose a grant project that increases the capacity of charte** **r 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 c hoice 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 schoo l choice to students in schools that have either (1) failed to make adequate ye arl y progress for two ye ars, or (2) are considered to be persistently dangerous. Factors that will be considered in assessing the applicant’s proposal to address school facili ty 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 proport ion 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 C**  **ompetitive P** 

**riority for grant applicants with relatively strong charter school programs.**  (XX points) An applicant with a State educational ag ency (SEA) that does not meet any one of the four statutory

criteria will not receive any priorit y points. Inorder to receive preference, an applicant must identify the statutory criteria that it meets and provide documentation supporting its claims. Fac tors that will be considered in assessing the competitive priority are:
 Periodic Review and Evaluation . The State provides for periodic review and evaluation b y the authorized public chartering agency of each charter23 school at least once every 5 ye ars unle ss 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 measura

ble 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 P rocess . 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 applicant s 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 c harter 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 facilitie s are financed for charter schools and regular public schools.24  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 assi stance 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 facilit y funding in the State.
 The extent to which the proposal meets the nee d 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 ac count 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 Cos t 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. Fact ors 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 enhance25 such a program without the t otal amount of assistance (State and Federal) declining over a five - ye ar 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 determin ing 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 evaluatio n, 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 state ments should be provided for an y 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.26  The adequacy

and appropriat eness 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:
 Tabl e 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), particularl y in the initial years of the program. 5) State experience ( XX points) This criterion focuses on the experience the State has with helping c harter schools meet their facility

needs.27 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 fo cus 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 m eans, including providing per - pupil aid, access to State loan or bonding pools, and the use of Qualified Zone Academ y Bonds.28 

## Table 1
**– Charter School Aid Paid by State**  **Source Fiscal**  **year 20XX**  **Fiscal year**  **20XX Fiscal**  **year 20XX**  **Fiscal Fiscal** 

**year 20XX**  **Fis cal**  **year 20XX**  **Fiscal year**  **20XX Fiscal**  **year 20XX**  **Fiscal year**  **20XX year**  **20XX 1**  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 sch ool 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 Fi scal 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 f acilities, facilities funds that are not awarded to charter schools on a per - pupil basis.29



## 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. Administrati ve 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 request30



## 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 sha re 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 oth er 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. Pe r - pupil facilities aid for charter schools This funding includes funds that are distributed on a per- pupil basis that are (1) dedicated solel y for funding charter school facilities and (2) the portion of funds that are dedicated for charter school facilit ies 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 424.31 

## 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. L ine 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 (L ine A., Table 3) as a percentage of the cost of per - pu pil 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.** 32 

## 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 tabl**  **e 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** 33



# SECTION **D INSTRUCTIONS TO STANDARD**  **FORMS AND GRANT APPLICATION**

**REQUIREMENTS**