Title V, Part B - Rural Education Initiative

Title V, Part B – Rural Education Initiative (known as Rural Education Achievement Program)

(P.L. 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 5202)

The Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) assists eligible LEAs in addressing local academic needs more effectively by giving them greater flexibility in the use of limited federal resources.  Programs under subparts 1 and 2 are designed to address the unique needs of rural school districts that frequently -

(1) lack the personnel and resources to compete effectively for federal competitive grants; and

(2) receive formula allocations in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes.  The programs are designed to supplement funding to help rural local education agencies (LEAs) to increase student academic achievement and decrease dropout rate.

Subpart 1 – Small, Rural School Achievement Program

(P.L. 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 5211 and Section 5212)

The purpose of the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program is to provide rural LEAs with financial assistance to fund initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement.

 Eligibility [Section 5211(b)]

 A Local Education Agency (LEA) is eligible for an SRSA award if:

1a. The total number of students in average daily attendance (ADA) at all of the schools served by the LEA is fewer than 600; 

OR 

1b. Each county in which a school served by the LEA is located has a total population density of fewer than 10 people per square mile;

AND 

2a. All of the schools served by the LEA are designated with a school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary of Education;

OR 

2b. The LEA is located in an area defined as rural by the state.

Use of Funds [Section 5212(a)]

Grantees may use SRSA funds to carry out activities authorized under any of the following federalprograms:

• Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies
  Example: A school district develops an entrepreneurial education program to supplement its civics curriculum.
• Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction
  Example: A school district pays the stipend for a prospective teacher to work alongside an effective teacher, who is the teacher of record, for a full academic year.
• Title III  - Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students
  Example: A school district offers an afterschool enrichment program for English learners.
• Title IV, Part A  - Student Support and Academic Enrichment
  Example: A school district purchases a bully prevention program for all schools.
• Title IV, Part B  - 21st Century Community Learning Centers
  Example: A school district purchases instruments to supplement schools’ band and orchestra programs.

Application Process

SRSA program is administered by the US Department of Education.  The 2017-18 SRSA application opened May 1, 2017 and was due June 20, 2017. 

Contacts are as follows:

Grants.gov	www.grants.gov	1-800-518-4726
G5	www.g5.gov	1-888-336-8930
SAM	www.sam.gov	1-866-606-8220
USDE REAP Office	https://www2.ed.gov/nclb/freedom/local/reap.html	REAP@ed.gov

 

Alternative Fund Use Authority[Section 5211]

The Alternative Fund Use Authority (REAP-Flex) allows SRSA-eligible LEAs greater latitude in spending the funds they receive under Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A to best address the LEAs particular needs.  Under the Alternative Fund Use Authority, LEAs will be able to use their Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A, funds to pay for activities under any of the allowable uses for SRSA grant funds.

LEAs may consolidate any and all Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A funding for allowable activities permissible under REAP eligible Title programs to carry out local activities authorized under any of the following:

• Title I, Part A
• Title II, Part A
• Title III, Part A
• Title IV, Part A
• Title IV, Part B 

LEAs must notify TEA of intention to implement the flexibility by completing the PS3109 – REAP Funding Transferability schedule in the ESSA Consolidated Application for Federal Funding.  Statute requires that LEAs notify the state of intention to exercise REAP-Flex at least 30 days before the transfer takes place.  Therefore, the effective date for the transfer is 30 days after the stamp-in-date of the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does LEA find out the amount of funds LEA will receive from an SRSA grant?

The USDE intends to post grant award amounts for each eligible LEA in August 2017.  Beginning in FY2018, the USDE intends to post estimated award amounts in May of each year.

When will LEAs receive the funds from an SRSA grant?

LEAs will receive an electronic SRSA Grant Award Notifications (GANs) in September 2017.  If LEA has not received a GAN by October 1 and LEA should receive the award, please contact your USDE program officer.

How does LEA access the SRSA funds?

LEAs SRSA funds through USDE grants website, G5 at www.G5.gov.  LEA will need a username and password and to register a bank account.  If LEA needs help, contact G5 technical hotline.

 Statute

 Eligibility List 

 USDE – Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) office

Subpart 2 – Rural and Low Income Schools Program

(P.L. 114-95, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Section 5221 and Section 5225)

The purpose of the Rural and Low Income Schools (RLIS) program is provide financial assistance to rural districts to meet local academic needs.  RLIS funds a variety of activities including teacher recruitment and professional development, support for educational technology, parental involvement activities and more.

Eligibility [Section 5221(b)]

A Local Education Agency (LEA) is eligible for an RLIS award if:

1a. All of the schools served by the LEA are designated with a school locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary of Education;

OR 

1b. The LEA is located in an area defined as rural by the state;

AND 

2a. Twenty percent or more of the children aged 5 to 17 served by the LEA must be from families with incomes below the poverty line.

 Use of Funds [Section 5222(a)]

Grantees may use RLIS funds to carry out activities authorized under any of the following:

• Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies
  Example: A school district develops an entrepreneurial education program to supplement its civics curriculum.
• Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction
  Example: A school district pays the stipend for a prospective teacher to work alongside an effective teacher, who is the teacher of record, for a full academic year.
• Title III - Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students
  Example: A school district offers an afterschool enrichment program for English learners.
• Title IV, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment
  Example: A school district purchases a bully prevention program for all schools.
• Parental Involvement Activities 
   Example: A school district plans a back school night at a Title I, Part A schoolwide campus

Application Process

RLIS program is administered by the TEA.  Visit the TEA Grant Opportunities website for more information.

Statute

Eligibility List

Choice of Participation [Section 5225]

 If an LEA is eligible for funding under both SRSA and RLIS (dual eligible), the LEA may receive funds under either subpart for one fiscal year but may not receive funds under both subparts for such fiscal year.

An LEA that is dual eligible must notify the USDE of its preference to participate in either SRSA or RLIS.  If a dual eligible LEA applies for SRSA in accordance with the application submission procedures, it will receive an SRSA award.  If an application is not submitted the dual eligible LEA will be eligible to apply for the RLIS grant.

Frequently Asked Questions

If LEA is dual eligible, which program should I choose?

An LEA should research the requirements and provisions of both the SRSA and the RLIS program to determine which program best meets its needs.  The USDE or TEA cannot tell an LEA on which program to choose.  Please refer to the SRSA-RLIS comparison table.

If an LEA is dual eligible and applies for SRSA, can it later decide to participate in RLIS instead?

If an LEA applies for SRSA in accordance with the application submission procedures, the LEA cannot later choose to participate in RLIS for the fiscal year which it submitted an SRSA application.  However, if the LEA is dual eligible again in future years, the LEA may choose to participate in RLIS instead of SRSA.  The LEA will notify the USDE of its decision to participate in RLIS by not submitting an SRSA during the application window for the corresponding fiscal year.