The Early Reading First Program CFDA # 84.359 A and B

1. Writing a Quality Grant Proposal for... The Early Reading First Program CFDA # 84.359 A and B Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives www.ed.gov/faithandcommunity

2. Agenda • Overview of program purpose • Outline application info • Address selection criteria • Write pre and full proposals

3. 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

4. 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

5. Program Results • Meet the needs of target population • Professional development for teachers • Disseminate best practices/model curricula • Replicate success nationally • Produce life long learners

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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: erf@ed.gov

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Selection Criteria Pre-Application 84.359 A • Vision 25 pts • Key Research and Program Design 40 pts • Continuity and Coordination with 10 pts Formal School Instruction • Measuring Success 25 pts

18. Vision • Detail end result of how current centers would be transformed • Where you are now and where you want to be • Be creative and comprehensive • 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 • Demonstrate vision is feasible and attainable

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Full Application Selection Criteria 84.359 B • Capacity and Significance 15 pts • Quality of Project Activities 35 pts and Services • Quality of Project Personnel 10 pts • Quality of Management Plan 20 pts • Quality of Project Evaluation 20 pts

24. 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!