The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) has received $11.7 million through the federal Reading Excellence Act to fund the Arkansas Reading Excellence Project (AREP) through which schools can apply to receive funds to improve the reading skills of Arkansas students in Grades K-3.
Of the $11,750,000 received by the ADE, approximately $1,700,000 has been designated for Tutorial Assistance Grants (TAG). In keeping with the statute and guidance for the Reading Excellence Act, it is the intent of the State to fund Tutorial Assistance Grants to provide assistance to children having difficulty in reading. TAG funds may be used to provide tutoring assistance before or after school, on weekends, or during the summer. At least one, and not more than twenty-five (25), Tutorial Assistance Grants will be funded at a level commensurate with the size of the school and the number of students identified as needing services as provided through this grant.
The ADE is conducting a competitive process to select Tutorial Assistance Grant recipients from eligible schools. Funds will be disbursed during FY 2002-2003 and FY 2003-2004.
ELIGIBILITY
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible:
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT STATUS. The LEA has at least one school in the geographic area that is identified for school improvement under section 111 (c) of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended by Improving America’s Schools Act (IASA) of 1994.
HIGH POVERTY NUMBER. The LEA has the largest or second largest, number of children who are counted under section 1124 (c) of ESEA in comparison to all other LEAs in Arkansas.
HIGH POVERTY RATE. The LEA has the highest or second highest, school age poverty rate in comparison to all other LEAs in Arkansas.
EMPOWERMENT ZONE OR ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY. The LEA has at least one school that is located in an area designated as an Empowerment Zone or is designated as an Enterprise Community under part 1 of the sub-chapter U of Chapter I of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
A list of eligible districts is attached.
Schools within eligible districts may apply if (1) the school has Title I School Improvement status; (2) the school has the highest number or the second highest number of children in poverty in the district; (3) the school has the highest percentage or the second highest percentage of children in poverty in the district.
Schools receiving Tutorial Assistance Grants are expected to assure the following:
The tutorial services are research-based, of high quality and linked to the reading program in the school for programmatic continuity.
Parents of students having difficulty in reading are offered multiple choices for providers, including a school-based tutoring program and at least one private tutoring provider under contract to the school through this grant.
The tutorial services are administered with effective oversight.
FEDERAL GUIDELINES REQUIRE ALL ELIGIBLE DISTRICTS TO NOTIFY POTENTIAL, PRIVATE TUTORIAL PROVIDERS AND PARENTS ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THIS GRANT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF RECEIVING THIS NOTICE. TO ENSURE THERE WILL BE NO LOSS OF TITLE I FUNDS, DISTRICTS SHOULD PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE IN A LOCAL NEWSPAPER OR POST ON THE DISTRICT’S WEB SITE. A SAMPLE NOTICE IS INCLUDED.
The Tutorial Assistance Grant Application is attached or schools may download the application from the Arkansas Department of Education web site at http://arkedu.state.ar.us.
Connie Choate, AREP Director
Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Co-op
P.O. Box 850
Beebe, AR 72012
cchoate@wdmesc.wmsc.k12.ar.us
501-882-5467