FY17 School Improvement Grant (SIG) RFA FAQ
Q Are all currently identified Focus Schools eligible to apply?
A Yes. Focus schools will be funded should there be remaining funds once the priority schools have been funded.
Q Is the application a, per school application or a district application? For example, if two schools in the district are Focus Schools, does each school submit an application or does the district submit a single application for both schools?
A Districts must submit on behalf of their eligible schools.
Q Several of the data questions reference “the most recent data.” The 2016 data should be released by October 10. Should we include 2016 data?
A If they can have the data analyzed and their application completed and submitted prior to the deadline.
Q Will there be any technical assistance sessions?
A No
Q Is there an intent to apply?
A No, they just submit the application.
Q May a district include more than one school on an application?
A Yes, if a district has more than one school eligible to apply. Districts must apply on behalf of their eligible schools.
Q Is there a scoring rubric that will be available prior to the submission deadline?
A Yes, the scoring rubricwill be posted on the KDE Competitive Grants.
Q Is the $7,087,009 in available funds for each year of the 5-year project period or is that the total amount for all 5 years?
A No that is one time allocation from USDOE. Schools will have up to three years to spend their allocated amount.
Q In the Early Learning model, there is a requirement to replace the principal who led the school prior to commencement of the early learning model. As awards are anticipated to be announced in early November, would projects be expected to begin in January 2017? In that scenario, does the principal have to be replaced immediately (in January)? Or may a new principal be hired to begin duties with the 17-18 school year? If the principal would have to be immediately replaced, our district would not be interested in pursuing funding. If the principal can be replaced with the beginning of the new school year, we may be interested.
A Projects, would be expected to begin immediately upon the district receiving the grant award.The hiring of the new principal process would begin immediately upon the district receiving the grant award.
Q Our district has a question regarding the “Commitment to Serve” section of SIG grant templates. On page 25 of the Transformation Application, the first prompt is to “identify the school-level literacy and math data from the most recent state assessment.” Should we use 2015-16 K-PREP results? Our understanding is that this information is embargoed until October 1st and currently being reviewed for technical accuracy.
A. The district could use either due to the fact that the grant application is not due until Oct 10th.