RFP Number: TA-11


1003(g) School Improvement Grant (SIG)

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Background

Under New York State Education Department’s approved Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility waiver, the state’s persistently lowest-achieving schools are identified as Priority Schools and may also be placed under registration review (SURR), pursuant to Commissioner’s regulation 100.18. As a result, Priority Schools, with the support of the larger district and school-community, have an opportunity to develop and implement a whole-school change model with the goal of achieving dramatic school-level achievement gains such that the school is in good academic standing within three years.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the SIG is to provide Local Education Agencies (LEAs) with an opportunity to support the implementation of a whole-school change model in its Priority Schools. This grant allows for three models to do so: School Turnaround, School Restart and School Transformation. In certain cases the LEA, in collaboration with the local community, may conclude the best option for its students is to close the existing school and transfer students to existing higher achieving options within the district. A secondary purpose of the SIG is to support this closure process. The requirements and parameters set forth in this Request for Proposals (RFP) will serve as the quality standard for an approvable SIG plan. LEAs will be expected to fully implement the SIG plan in its funded Priority Schools through available resources including, but not limited to the SIG. The SIG plans in this RFP must be designed to meet one of the following four intervention models:

The four intervention models identified are consistent with Commissioner’s regulations §§100.2(p)(10)(iv) and 100.18 and the United States Department of Education’s requirements for SIG funding. In addition, the parameters of the SIG plan set forth in this application are directly aligned with United States Secretary of Education’s seven (7) turnaround principles. Coupling these intervention model requirements with the Secretary’s turnaround principles, and the design elements of high quality schools provides a framework for bold and dramatic school change. Specific requirements for each model are identified in subsequent sections of this RFP.

* Any conversion of an existing public school to a charter school, or any new charter that will replace a Priority School must be consistent with the provisions of Article 56 of the NYS Education Law, "The New York State Charter Schools Act of 1998," and all subsequent amendments to that statute.

Eligibility

This grant is open to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) with one or more eligible Priority Schools. An eligible Priority School is a Priority School that the LEA has designated as implementing a whole-school change model beginning in 2013-2014, that is not currently receiving nor has previously received a SIG 1003[g] or a School Innovation Fund (SIF) grant. For each eligible Priority School proposing to implement a Turnaround, Restart, or Transformation model, LEAs are eligible for up to S4.5 million for the full grant term that includes three years of implementation and a 5-month pre-implementation period. For applications proposing to implement a Closure model plan, LEAs are eligible for up to $300,000 dollars for the full grant term that includes a one-year closure period and a 5-month pre-implementation period. LEAs may submit multiple applications in response to this RFP, however; only separate and complete applications for each eligible Priority School will be accepted. Charter schools identified under the State accountability system are not eligible for award to implement a whole-school change model.  New charter applicants/schools partnering with a district to replace an identified Priority School may receive SIG funding as new replacement schools under Turnaround and Restart models.

A full list of Priority Schools is available at:
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/accountability/ESEADesignations.html.

Funding

Estimated funds available: $250,000,000
Estimated number of awards: 60

* Awards will be made subject to the availability of funds and approval of the NYSED SEA SIG application by the US Department of Education.

Project Period

For applications proposing to implement a Turnaround, Restart, or Transformation model, the full project period for this grant is three years, plus a required 5-month pre-implementation period prior to the start of year one. Continuation funding after each period of the project is contingent upon progress toward meeting achievement goals, leading indicators, fidelity of implementation of required model actions, and maintenance of all grant requirements.

Turnaround, Restart, and Transformation Model Project Period

Pre-implementation Period

April 1, 2013, to August 31, 2013

Year One Implementation Period

September 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014

Year Two Implementation Period

September 1, 2014, to August 31, 2015

Year Three Implementation Period

September 1, 2015, to August 31, 2016

For applications proposing a Closure model, the full project period will be one year, plus an additional 5-month pre-implementation period. There are no continuations past the year one implementation period for the Closure model.

Closure Model Project Period

Pre-implementation Period

April 1, 2013, to August 31, 2013

Year One Implementation Period

September 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014

Application Deadline and Submission Requirements

Letter of Intent

LEAs should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) designating the specific identified schools for which applications will be submitted, identifying the intervention models being proposed for each school. The LOI should be submitted electronically through the Review Room Portal available at the following link: https://nysed-schoolturnaround.myreviewroom.com/. The LOI should be received through Review Room by January 11, 2013. (Note: The LOI is not a requirement for submitting a complete application by the application due date. NYSED encourages all prospective applicants to submit an LOI in order to ensure appropriate resources are available for a timely and thorough review and rating process.)

Full Application Submission

Complete applications must be submitted electronically through the Review Room portal available at the following link: https://nysed-schoolturnaround.myreviewroom.com/. In addition, one original application plus one hardcopy must be mailed by postal service to:

New York State Education Department
Contracts Administration Unit, 505 W EB
89 Washington Ave
Albany, New York 12234
Attn: Nell Brady, RFP # TA-11

Complete hardcopy applications must be postmarked by January 25, 2013, and electronic copies must be submitted through the Review Room portal no later than 3:00pm on January 25, 2013.

Review Room Electronic Submission Portal

The electronic Review Room submission portal https://nysed-schoolturnaround.myreviewroom.com/ will be live and accessible with instructions to applicants on December 21, 2012. If there are any technical questions regarding electronic submission through the Review Room portal, you must contact Tracy Farrell at tfarrell@mail.nysed.gov.

Additional Information

RFP DOCUMENTS

Original RFP Posting Date: November 27, 2012

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