Competitive Grant Opportunity Published on the TEA Grant Opportunities Page

TEA is announcing the availability of grant funds for the 2018–2019 Transformation Zone Planning, grant program. Request for Application (RFA) #701-17-106 is authorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Public Law (P.L.) 144-95, Title I, Part A, Sec. 1003, School Improvement. The RFA is available on the TEA Grant Opportunities Page.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• Local educational agencies (LEAs) that have two or more campuses identified as a 2017–2018 Title I priority school and one or more campuses identified as a 2017–2018 Title I focus school; or
• Independent school districts (ISDs) classified as “rural” for the 2015–2016 school year with two more campuses identified as a 2017–2018 Title I priority or a 2017–2018 Title I focus school. To determine if your district is rural, use this webpage: http://tea.texas.gov/acctres/analyze/1516/district1516.html.
• Campuses currently being served by a Texas Title I Priority Schools, Cycle 4 or 5, grant, or a 2017–2019 School Redesign, Pilot Cycle, grant are not eligible.
• A list of eligible applicants is available on the TEA Grant Opportunities Page.

The entitlement of other school improvement grants may terminate as of the date of award for any campuses selected for funding through this competition.

Grant Period

• January 15, 2018, through July 13, 2018
• It is expected that continuation funding will be made available to selected grantees for implementation grants, subject to future appropriations by the U.S. Congress.

Funding

• A total of approximately $3,600,000 is available for this grant program.
• It is anticipated that approximately 8 grants will be awarded.
• Grant awards are expected to range from $250,000 to $450,000.

Description

The purpose of the 2018–2019 Transformation Zone Planning grant program is to assist LEAs and other local educational leaders to plan and design a Transformation Zone. Transformation Zones group multiple campuses that are low performing together and provide these campuses with autonomy over people, time, money, and academic programs. Transformation Zones are supported by a dedicated zone leadership or support team that supports the development and oversight of strategies aimed at significantly improving academic outcomes of students in the zone’s campuses.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by the Texas Education Agency by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time), November 30, 2017, to be considered for funding.

The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.