News from the Grants Administration Division

Competitive Grant Opportunity Published on the TEA Grant Opportunities Page

TEA is announcing the availability of grant funds for the 2021-2023 Grow Your Own Grant Program, Cycle 4. Request for Application (RFA) #701-21-101 is authorized by the General Appropriations Act, Article III, Rider 41, 86^th Texas Legislature. The RFA is available on the TEA Grant Opportunities Page.

Eligibility

See the General and Fiscal Guidelines, Eligibility To Apply for Competitive Grants.

LEAs and ESCs may apply individually or as part of a shared services arrangement (SSA) for Pathways 1 and 2, but not both.

Recipients of the 2018–2019 Grow Your Own Grant, the 2019–2021 Grow Your Own Grant, and the 2020-2022 Grow Your Own Grant Program, Cycle 3, are eligible to apply.

Pathway 2 LEA applicants must select a partner EPP with the following designations on the 2018-2019 Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP) Annual Reports: Accredited, Accredited-Not Rated, and Accredited-Warned.

Grant Period

• February 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023.

Funding

•  Pathway 1 and 2: It is anticipated that approximately 20 grants will be awarded ranging in amounts from $13,500 to $499,999.

Description

The 2021–2023 Grow Your Own grant program has been designed to facilitate increased entry of qualified, diverse candidates into the teaching profession, particularly in rural and small school settings. The intention of the grant program is to address several challenges Texas currently faces in terms of recruiting candidates to the field. There are two pathways available to serve this purpose.

Pathway 1: Support for Education and Training Program Implementation

Pathway 1 focuses on the recruitment of future educators at the high school level through offering Education and Training courses, including for dual credit.

Pathway 2: Transition of Paraprofessionals, Instructional Aides, and Long-Term Substitutes to Full-Time Teaching Roles

Pathway 2 focuses on the recruitment and support of paraprofessionals, instructional aides, and long-term substitute teachers who are currently employed by the LEA and want to transition to certified, full-time teaching roles within the LEA.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by the Texas Education Agency by 11:59 p.m. (Central Time), November 5, 2020, 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.