Section 260.130  Proposal Review, Approval and Grant Award

a)         Proposals submitted for funding to establish a professional development program shall be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria.

1)         The proposal presents a convincing rationale about the need for the professional development based upon the students' reading progress and the school's continuing need for improvements, as indicated by testing data or other relevant information.  The number of staff estimated to participate in the professional development and the grade levels to be served are appropriate based on this need and will strengthen the ability of the school to improve reading achievement in measurable ways.  (25 points)

2)         The proposal sets forth a clear understanding of why current reading instruction is not successful with all students and knowledgeably articulates how intensive, ongoing professional development will lead to improvements in reading achievement for those students.  (25 points)

3)         The content, sequence and duration of the initial and any follow-up professional development appears to be of sufficient quality and length to have a positive effect on instructional practices.  (15 points)

4)         Sufficient evidence is presented of the commitment of the school's administrators and teachers to implement or continue the targeted reading improvement strategies and methods after the conclusion of the professional development.  Identified sources of funding for the planning and implementation are sufficient to successfully sustain the approach to reading instruction that was the focus of the professional development.  (15 points)

5)         Appropriate strategies are proposed for participants to share the knowledge gained and lessons learned in the professional development with others in the school, and these strategies will allow for successful implementation of the reading program throughout the school.  (10 points)

6)         The proposed budget is cost-effective based on the number of teachers to be trained and the activities proposed.  (10 points)

b)         The selection of proposals for funding may be based in part on geographic distribution and/or the need to provide resources to school districts and communities with varying demographic characteristics.

c)         Priority consideration may be given to proposals with specific areas of emphasis, as identified by the State Superintendent of Education in a particular RFP.

d)         The State Superintendent of Education shall determine the amount of individual grant awards.  The final award amounts shall be based upon:

1)         the total amount of funds available for Reading Improvement Professional Development Grants; and

2)         the resources requested in the top-ranked proposals, as identified pursuant to subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

(Source:  Added at 33 Ill. Reg. 4031, effective February 23, 2009)