The Early Reading First Program

CFDA # 84.359 A and B Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

www.ed.gov/faithandcommunity

Agenda

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Overview of program purpose

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Outline application info

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Address selection criteria

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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—rather enhancing 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 Activities Lesson plans Evaluations

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 Stewart Phone: 202-260-4555 (TDD) 1-800-877-8339 email: [email protected]

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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  Ambitious but attainable objectives  Utilize research and data

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

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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 barriers No points awarded for addressing these priorities

Competitive Priorities

Pre-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 Criteria

Pre-Application 84.359 A

 Vision  Key Research and Program Design  Continuity and Coordination with Formal School Instruction  Measuring Success 25 pts 40 pts 10 pts 25 pts

Vision

 Detail end result of how current centers would be transformed 

Where you are now and where you want to be

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Be creative and comprehensive

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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

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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 & Coordination With 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 Application

Selection Criteria 84.359 B

 Capacity and Significance  Quality of Project Activities and Services  Quality of Project Personnel  Quality of Management Plan  Quality of Project Evaluation 15 pts 35 pts 10 pts 20 pts 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!