Sec. 13a.06.09.05. Grant Award

A. To the extent that funds are available, the Department shall distribute up to 50 grants in at least three school systems for a 2-year period.

B. In awarding grants under the Initiative, the Department will fund only those qualifying schools that use literacy programs that utilize various evidence-based approaches and methodologies for:

(1) Comparison purposes; and

(2) The collection of multiple data points for long-term review.

C. If the number of applications exceeds the number of available grants, the Department shall give priority to a qualifying school serving a high concentration of students in prekindergarten through third grade who are living in poverty.

D. A grant made to each qualifying school may not exceed $75,000 each year.

E. A grant made under this section shall be renewed by the Department after a 2-year period if the qualifying school presents evidence that the qualifying school is:

(1) In compliance with all grant requirements; and

(2) Meeting identified targets and benchmarks.