Notice2025-08657
Applications for New Awards; Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)-Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants)
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 15, 2025
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for CSP CMO Grants.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 93 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 93 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20638-20646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08657]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Expanding Opportunity Through
Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)--Grants to Charter Management
Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter
Schools (CMO Grants)
AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for CSP CMO Grants.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 15, 2025.
Application Deadline: June 18, 2025.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 18, 2025.
Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a
pre-application meeting via webinar to provide technical assistance to
prospective applicants. Detailed information regarding this webinar
will be provided at <a href="https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-birth-grade-12/charter-school-programs/charter-schools-program-grants-to-charter-management-organizations-for-the-replication-and-expansion-of-high-quality-charter-schools-cmo-grants">https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-birth-grade-12/charter-school-programs/charter-schools-program-grants-to-charter-management-organizations-for-the-replication-and-expansion-of-high-quality-charter-schools-cmo-grants</a> on the FY 2025 CSP CMO Grant
Competition tab.
For further information about the pre-application meeting, please
reach out to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to the Application Submission Instructions
section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie S. Jones, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-5970.
Telephone: (202) 453-7835. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#17545a5854787a6772637e637e787957727339707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="baf9f7f5f9d5d7cadfced3ced3d5d4fadfde94ddd5cc">[email protected]</span></a>.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Purpose of Program: Through CSP CMO Grants (ALN 84.282M), the
Department awards grants to charter management organizations (CMOs) \1\
on a competitive basis to enable them to replicate or expand one or
more high-quality charter schools. Grant funds may be used to
significantly increase the enrollment of, or add one or more grades to,
an existing high-quality charter school or to open one or more new
charter schools or new campuses of a high-quality charter school based
on the educational model of an existing high-quality charter school.
Charter schools that receive financial assistance through CSP CMO
Grants provide elementary or secondary education, or both, and may also
serve students in early childhood education programs or postsecondary
students, consistent with the terms of their charter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Defined terms are italicized the first time they are used.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assistance Listing Number: 84.282M.
OMB Control Number: 1810-0767.
Note: The table below highlights key aspects of the funding
opportunity in this NIA. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review
this notice for a detailed listing and description of all competition
requirements before submitting an application.
Table 1--Funding Opportunity At-a-Glance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Topic Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application Deadline.............. All interested applicants must
submit applications in <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>
no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern
time on June 18, 2025. Complete
instructions on how to register and
apply can be found at <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
Eligibility: Additional CMOs are eligible to apply and may
information on eligibility is apply individually or as part of a
available in the Eligible group or consortium.
Applicants for Grants section ``Charter management organization''
below. means a nonprofit organization that
operates or manages a network of
charter schools linked by
centralized support, operations,
and oversight.
Funding........................... Estimated Available Funds:
$72,000,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $300,000
to $20,000,000 per year.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$2,500,000 per year.
Estimated Number of Awards: 15-20.
The Department is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
Competitive Preference Priority This notice includes one CPP. We
(CPP): The full text of the CPP award additional points to an
is in the Priorities section application that addresses the CPP.
below. Responding to the CPP is optional.
CPP: Reopening Academically Poor-
Performing Public Schools as
Charter Schools (up to 8 points).
Invitational Priority (IP): The This notice includes one IP. We are
full text of the IP is in the particularly interested in
Priorities section below. applications that meet the IP but
do not give them competitive or
absolute preference over others.
Responding to the IP is optional.
IP: Encouraging Innovative Charter
School Models.
Application Requirements.......... Applicants are required to address
all application requirements in
this notice.
Requests for Waiver............... Applicants may include in their
applications a request and
justification for a waiver of any
Federal statutory or regulatory
requirements over which the
Secretary exercises authority,
except for requirements in the
definition of ``charter school''
under the CSP.
Selection Criteria: The full text We evaluate applications using
of the selection criteria is in selection criteria. The maximum
the Selection Criteria section score for addressing all selection
below. criteria is 100 points.
(a) Quality of the Eligible
Applicant (up to 40 points).
(b) Quality of the Project Design
and Adequacy of Resources (up to 30
points).
(c) Quality of the Management Plan
(up to 30 points).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 20639]]
2. Award Information.
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $72,000,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $300,000 to $20,000,000 per year.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $2,500,000 per year.
Maximum Award: See section II.3 of this notice, Reasonable and
Necessary Costs, for information regarding the maximum amount of funds
that CMOs may be awarded per charter school.
Estimated Number of Awards: 15-20.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
The estimated range and average size of awards are based on a single
12-month budget period. We may use FY 2025 funds to support multiple
12-month budget periods for one or more grantees.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
A grant awarded by the Secretary under this competition may be for
a period of not more than 5 years, of which an eligible applicant may
use not more than 18 months for planning and program design. (Section
4303(d)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as
amended (ESEA)
3. Eligible Applicants for Grants: CMOs.
Under section 4310(3) of the ESEA, ``charter management
organization'' means a nonprofit organization that operates or manages
a network of charter schools linked by centralized support, operations,
and oversight.
Eligible applicants may apply individually or as part of a group or
consortium.
As a general matter, the Secretary considers charter schools that
have been in operation for more than five years to be past the initial
implementation phase and, therefore, ineligible to receive CSP funds
under ALN 84.282M for the replication of a high-quality charter school;
however, such schools may receive CSP funds under ALN 84.282M for the
expansion of a high-quality charter school.
Note: Under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status
by providing: (1) proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently
recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are
tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general
certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating
within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully
benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of
the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it
clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any
item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent
organization, together with a statement by the State or parent
organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
4. Priorities: This notice includes one competitive preference
priority and one invitational priority.
Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2025, and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference
priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), the priority is
from the notice of final priorities, requirements, definitions, and
selection criteria for CSP CMO Grants published in the Federal Register
on November 30, 2018 (83 FR 61532) (2018 NFP) and implements a priority
authorized under section 4305(b)(5) of the ESEA. We award up to 8
additional points to an application that meets the Competitive
Preference Priority.
An applicant must identify on the abstract form and in the project
narrative section of its application the priority for purposes of
earning competitive preference priority points. The Department will not
review or award points for a competitive preference priority if an
applicant fails to clearly identify it as a competitive preference
priority that it wishes the Department to consider for purposes of
awarding competitive preference priority points.
The priority is:
Competitive Preference Priority--Reopening Academically Poor-
Performing Public Schools as Charter Schools (up to 8 points).
Under this priority, applicants must--
(i) Demonstrate past success working with one or more academically
poor-performing public schools; and
(ii) Propose to use grant funds under this program to reopen one or
more academically poor-performing public schools as charter schools
during the project period by--
(A) Replicating one or more high-quality charter schools based on a
successful charter school model for which the applicant has provided
evidence of success; and
(B) Targeting a demographically similar student population in the
replicated charter schools as was served by the academically poor-
performing public schools, consistent with nondiscrimination
requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and Federal civil
rights laws. (2018 NFP)
Invitational Priority: For FY 2025, and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other
applications.
The priority is:
Invitational Priority--Encouraging Innovative Charter School
Models.
Background: Charter schools are a key pillar in providing access to
education choice, empowering parents and families to seek the best
learning environment for their children and fostering innovation in
education models that address the unique needs of students across the
country. Through this competition, the Department is interested in
supporting further innovation in charter schools, and for this reason,
we have included an Invitational Priority to encourage the growth of
high-quality charter school models that employ innovative practices to
meet the needs of students and provide parents and families with high-
quality options for their children.
Priority: The Secretary is particularly interested in applications
that propose a high-quality charter school model that focuses on one or
more of the following: classical and civics education; science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, including
computer science; career and technical education; or other innovative
educational practices with evidence of success; or serving students
with particularly unique needs, such as students with disabilities or
receiving special education or related services, military-connected
students, students living in rural areas, or Native American students.
Note: Applicants that propose to reopen academically poor-
performing public schools as charter schools under Competitive
Preference Priority are encouraged to replicate high-quality charter
school models with one or more of the focuses listed above, to the
extent practicable and appropriate.
5. Requirements: The application requirements in this notice are
from sections 4303(f)(1) \2\ and 4305(b)(3) of
[[Page 20640]]
the ESEA and the 2018 NFP. The Department will not fund an application
that does not meet each application requirement. Applicants must
clearly identify the application requirement they are addressing in the
project narrative.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Per section 4305(c) of the ESEA, CSP CMO Grants have the
same terms and conditions as grants awarded to State entities under
section 4303. For clarity, the Department has replaced the term
``State entity'' with ``applicant'' in the requirements that derive
from section 4303.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application Requirements: Applications for funding under the CSP
CMO program must contain the following information:
(a) Describe the applicant's objectives in running a quality
charter school program and how the program will be carried out,
including--
(1) A description of how the applicant will ensure that charter
schools receiving funds under this program meet the educational needs
of their students, including children with disabilities and English
learners (Section 4303(f)(1)(A)(x) of the ESEA); and
(2) A description of how the applicant will ensure that each
charter school receiving funds under this program has considered and
planned for the transportation needs of the school's students (Section
4303(f)(1)(E) of the ESEA);
(b) For each charter school currently operated or managed by the
applicant, provide--
(1) Student assessment results for all students and for each
subgroup of students described in section 1111(c)(2) of the ESEA;
(2) Attendance and student retention rates for the most recently
completed school year and, if applicable, the most recent available 4-
year adjusted cohort graduation rates and extended-year adjusted cohort
graduation rates; and
(3) Information on any significant compliance and management issues
encountered within the last 3 school years by any school operated or
managed by the eligible entity, including in the areas of student
safety and finance (Section 4305(b)(3)(A) of the ESEA);
(c) Describe the educational program that the applicant will
implement in each charter school receiving funding under this program,
including--
(1) Information on how the program will enable all students to meet
the challenging State academic standards;
(2) The grade levels or ages of students who will be served; and
(3) The instructional practices that will be used (Section
4305(b)(3)(B)(ii) of the ESEA);
(d) Demonstrate that the applicant currently operates or manages
more than one charter school. For purposes of this program, multiple
charter schools are considered to be separate schools if each school--
(1) Meets each element of the definition of charter school under
section 4310(2) of the ESEA; and
(2) Is treated as a separate school by its authorized public
chartering agency and the State in which the charter school is located,
including for purposes of accountability and reporting under title I,
part A of the ESEA (2018 NFP);
(e) Provide information regarding any compliance issues, and how
they were resolved, for any charter schools operated or managed by the
applicant that have--
(1) Closed;
(2) Had their charter(s) revoked due to problems with statutory or
regulatory compliance, including compliance with sections 4310(2)(G)
and (J) of the ESEA; or
(3) Had their affiliation with the applicant revoked or terminated,
including through voluntary disaffiliation (2018 NFP);
(f) Provide a complete logic model for the grant project. The logic
model must include the applicant's objectives for replicating or
expanding one or more high-quality charter schools with funding under
this program, including the number of high-quality charter schools the
applicant proposes to replicate or expand (2018 NFP);
(g) If the applicant currently operates, or is proposing to
replicate or expand, a single-sex charter school or coeducational
charter school that provides a single-sex class or extracurricular
activity (collectively referred to as a ``single-sex educational
program''), demonstrate that the existing or proposed single-sex
educational program is in compliance with title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681, et seq.) and its implementing
regulations, including 34 CFR 106.34 (2018 NFP);
(h) Describe how the applicant currently operates or manages the
high-quality charter schools for which it has presented evidence of
success and how the proposed replicated or expanded charter schools
will be operated or managed, including the legal relationship between
the applicant and its schools. If a legal entity other than the
applicant has entered or will enter into a performance contract with an
authorized public chartering agency to operate or manage one or more of
the applicant's schools, the applicant must also describe its
relationship with that entity (2018 NFP);
(i) Describe how the applicant will solicit and consider input from
parents and other members of the community on the implementation and
operation of each replicated or expanded charter school, including in
the area of school governance (2018 NFP);
(j) Describe the lottery and enrollment procedures that will be
used for each replicated or expanded charter school if more students
apply for admission than can be accommodated, including how any
proposed weighted lottery complies with section 4303(c)(3)(A) of the
ESEA (2018 NFP);
(k) Describe how the applicant will ensure that all eligible
children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education
in accordance with part B of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (2018 NFP);
(l) Describe how the proposed project will assist educationally
disadvantaged students in mastering challenging State academic
standards (2018 NFP);
(m) Provide a budget narrative, aligned with the activities, target
grant project outputs, and outcomes described in the logic model, that
outlines how grant funds will be expended to carry out planned
activities (2018 NFP);
(n) Provide the applicant's most recent independently audited
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles (2018 NFP);
(o) Describe the applicant's policies and procedures to assist
students enrolled in a charter school that closes or loses its charter
to attend other high-quality schools (2018 NFP);
(p) Provide--
(1) A request and justification for waivers of any Federal
statutory or regulatory provisions that the applicant believes are
necessary for the successful operation of the charter schools to be
replicated or expanded; and
(2) A description of any State or local rules, generally applicable
to public schools, that will be waived, or otherwise not apply, to such
schools (2018 NFP).
Assurances: Each applicant for a CSP CMO Grant must provide the
following assurances. These assurances are from sections 4303(f)(2) and
4305(b)(3)(C) of the ESEA.
Applicants for funds under this program must provide assurances
that--
(a) The grantee will support charter schools in meeting the
educational needs of their students, as described in section
4303(f)(1)(A)(x) of the ESEA. (Section 4303(f)(2)(B) of the ESEA)
(b) The grantee will ensure that each charter school receiving
funds under this program makes publicly available, consistent with the
dissemination requirements of the annual State report card under
section 1111(h) of the ESEA,
[[Page 20641]]
including on the website of the school, information to help parents
make informed decisions about the education options available to their
children, including--
(1) Information on the educational program;
(2) Student support services;
(3) Parent contract requirements (as applicable), including any
financial obligations or fees;
(4) Enrollment criteria (as applicable); and
(5) Annual performance and enrollment data for each of the
subgroups of students, as defined in section 1111(c)(2) of the ESEA,
except that such disaggregation of performance and enrollment data
shall not be required in a case in which the number of students in a
group is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or
the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an
individual student. (Section 4303(f)(2)(G) of the ESEA)
(c) The eligible entity has sufficient procedures in effect to
ensure timely closure of low-performing or financially mismanaged
charter schools and clear plans and procedures in effect for the
students in such schools to attend other high-quality schools. (Section
4305(b)(3)(C) of the ESEA)
Waivers: The Secretary recognizes that CMOs and the charter schools
they serve may need additional flexibility in implementing CSP grants
to achieve the purposes of the CSP. Under section 4303(d)(5) of the
ESEA, the Secretary, in her discretion, may waive any statutory or
regulatory requirement over which she exercises administrative
authority, except the requirements related to the definition of
``charter school'' in section 4310(2), provided that the waiver is
requested in an approved application and the Secretary determines that
granting the waiver will promote the purposes of the CSP.
For example, a CMO applicant may request approval from the
Department for a waiver of requirements in section 4303(h) of the ESEA
regarding use of funds to use funds for sustained costs (e.g.,
personnel costs for school leaders or instructional staff, software
subscriptions, student assessments, etc.) throughout the life of the
grant, provided that such costs are necessary to replicate or expand
high-quality charter schools and that the charter school can
demonstrate that it will maintain financial sustainability after the
end of the subgrant period.
6. Definitions: The following definitions are from sections 4310
(20 U.S.C. 7221i) and 8101 (20 U.S.C. 7801) of the ESEA, 34 CFR 77.1,
and the 2018 NFP.
Ambitious means promoting continued, meaningful improvement for
program participants or for other individuals or entities affected by
the grant or representing a significant advancement in the field of
education research, practices, or methodologies. When used to describe
a performance target, whether a performance target is ambitious depends
upon the context of the relevant performance measure and the baseline
for that measure. (34 CFR 77.1)
Authorized public chartering agency means a State educational
agency, local educational agency, or other public entity that has the
authority pursuant to State law and approved by the Secretary to
authorize or approve a charter school. (Section 4310(1) of the ESEA)
Baseline means the starting point from which performance is
measured and targets are set. (34 CFR 77.1)
Charter management organization means a nonprofit organization that
operates or manages a network of charter schools linked by centralized
support, operations, and oversight. (Section 4310(3) of the ESEA)
Charter school means a public school that--
(1) In accordance with a specific State statute authorizing the
granting of charters to schools, is exempt from significant State or
local rules that inhibit the flexible operation and management of
public schools, but not from any rules relating to the other
requirements of this definition;
(2) Is created by a developer as a public school, or is adapted by
a developer from an existing public school, and is operated under
public supervision and direction;
(3) Operates in pursuit of a specific set of educational objectives
determined by the school's developer and agreed to by the authorized
public chartering agency;
(4) Provides a program of elementary or secondary education, or
both;
(5) Is nonsectarian in its programs, admissions policies,
employment practices, and all other operations, and is not affiliated
with a sectarian school or religious institution;
(6) Does not charge tuition;
(7) Complies with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), section 444 of GEPA
(20 U.S.C. 1232g) (commonly referred to as the ``Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974''), and part B of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
(8) Is a school to which parents choose to send their children, and
that--
(i) Admits students on the basis of a lottery, consistent with
section 4303(c)(3)(A) of the ESEA, if more students apply for admission
than can be accommodated; or
(ii) In the case of a school that has an affiliated charter school
(such as a school that is part of the same network of schools),
automatically enrolls students who are enrolled in the immediate prior
grade level of the affiliated charter school and, for any additional
student openings or student openings created through regular attrition
in student enrollment in the affiliated charter school and the
enrolling school, admits students on the basis of a lottery as
described in clause (i);
(9) Agrees to comply with the same Federal and State audit
requirements as do other elementary schools and secondary schools in
the State, unless such State audit requirements are waived by the
State;
(10) Meets all applicable Federal, State, and local health and
safety requirements;
(11) Operates in accordance with State law;
(12) Has a written performance contract with the authorized public
chartering agency in the State that includes a description of how
student performance will be measured in charter schools pursuant to
State assessments that are required of other schools and pursuant to
any other assessments mutually agreeable to the authorized public
chartering agency and the charter school; and
(13) May serve students in early childhood education programs or
postsecondary students. (Section 4310(2) of the ESEA)
Child with a disability means--
(1) A child (i) with intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments
(including deafness), speech or language impairments, visual
impairments (including blindness), serious emotional disturbance
(referred to as ``emotional disturbance''), orthopedic impairments,
autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, specific
learning disabilities, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities; and
(ii) who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related
services.
(2) For a child aged 3 through 9 (or any subset of that age range,
including ages 3 through 5), may, at the discretion of the State and
the LEA, include a child (i) experiencing developmental delays,
[[Page 20642]]
as defined by the State and as measured by appropriate diagnostic
instruments and procedures, in one or more of the following areas:
physical development; cognitive development; communication development;
social or emotional development; or adaptive development; and (ii) who,
by reason thereof, needs special education and related services.
(Section 8101(4) of the ESEA)
Developer means an individual or group of individuals (including a
public or private nonprofit organization), which may include teachers,
administrators and other school staff, parents, or other members of the
local community in which a charter school project will be carried out.
(Section 4310(5) of the ESEA)
Early childhood education program means--
(1) A Head Start program or an Early Head Start program carried out
under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), including a migrant
or seasonal Head Start program, an Indian Head Start program, or a Head
Start program or an Early Head Start program that also receives State
funding;
(2) A State licensed or regulated child care program; or
(3) A program that--
(i) Serves children from birth through age 6 that addresses the
children's cognitive (including language, early literacy, and early
mathematics), social, emotional, and physical development; and
(ii) Is (A) a State prekindergarten program; (B) a program
authorized under section 619 (20 U.S.C. 1419) or part C of the IDEA; or
(C) a program operated by an LEA. (ESEA section 8101(16))
Educationally disadvantaged student means a student in one or more
of the categories described in section 1115(c)(2) of the ESEA, which
include children who are economically disadvantaged, students who are
children with disabilities, migrant students, English learners,
neglected or delinquent students, homeless students, and students who
are in foster care. (2018 NFP)
English learner, when used with respect to an individual, means an
individual--
(1) Who is aged 3 through 21;
(2) Who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary school
or secondary school;
(3)(i) Who was not born in the United States or whose native
language is a language other than English;
(ii)(A) Who is a Native American or Alaska Native, or a native
resident of the outlying areas; and
(B) Who comes from an environment where a language other than
English has had a significant impact on the individual's level of
English language proficiency; or
(iii) Who is migratory, whose native language is a language other
than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other
than English is dominant; and
(4) Whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or
understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the
individual--
(i) The ability to meet the challenging State academic standards;
(ii) The ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the
language of instruction is English; or
(iii) The opportunity to participate fully in society. (Section
8101(20) of the ESEA)
Expand, when used with respect to a high-quality charter school,
means to significantly increase enrollment or add one or more grades to
the high-quality charter school. (Section 4310(7) of the ESEA)
High-quality charter school means a charter school that--
(1) Shows evidence of strong academic results, which may include
strong student academic growth, as determined by a State;
(2) Has no significant issues in the areas of student safety,
financial and operational management, or statutory or regulatory
compliance;
(3) Has demonstrated success in significantly increasing student
academic achievement, including graduation rates where applicable, for
all students served by the charter school; and
(4) Has demonstrated success in increasing student academic
achievement, including graduation rates where applicable, for each of
the subgroups of students, as defined in section 1111(c)(2) of the
ESEA, except that such demonstration is not required in a case in which
the number of students in a group is insufficient to yield
statistically reliable information or the results would reveal
personally identifiable information about an individual student.
(Section 4310(8) of the ESEA)
Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project
components and relevant outcomes. (34 CFR 77.1)
Parent includes a legal guardian or other person standing in loco
parentis (such as a grandparent or stepparent with whom the child
lives, or a person who is legally responsible for the child's welfare).
(Section 8101(38) of the ESEA)
Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or
metric used to gauge program or project performance. (34 CFR 77.1)
Performance target means a level of performance that an applicant
would seek to meet during the course of a project or as a result of a
project. (34 CFR 77.1)
Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention,
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers). (34
CFR 77.1)
Public, as applied to an agency, organization, or institution,
means that the agency, organization, or institution, is under the
administrative supervision or control of a government other than the
Federal Government. (34 CFR 77.1)
Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s)
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the
specific goals of the program. (34 CFR 77.1)
Replicate, when used with respect to a high-quality charter school,
means to open a new charter school, or a new campus of a high-quality
charter school, based on the educational model of an existing high-
quality charter school, under an existing charter or an additional
charter, if permitted or required by State law. (Section 4310(9) of the
ESEA)
7. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and the 2018 NFP. The maximum possible total
score an application can receive for addressing the criteria is 100
points. The maximum possible score for addressing each criterion is
indicated in parentheses following the criterion.
(a) Quality of the Eligible Applicant (up to 40 points).
In determining the quality of the eligible applicant, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the academic achievement results (including
annual student performance on statewide assessments, annual student
attendance and retention rates, and, where applicable and available,
student academic growth, high school graduation rates, college
attendance rates, and college persistence rates) for educationally
disadvantaged students
[[Page 20643]]
served by the charter schools operated or managed by the applicant have
exceeded the average academic achievement results for such students
served by other public schools in the State (up to 20 points). (2018
NFP)
(2) The extent to which one or more charter schools operated or
managed by the applicant have closed; have had a charter revoked due to
noncompliance with statutory or regulatory requirements; or have had
their affiliation with the applicant revoked or terminated, including
through voluntary disaffiliation (up to 10 points). (2018 NFP)
(3) The extent to which one or more charter schools operated or
managed by the applicant have had any significant issues in the area of
financial or operational management or student safety or have otherwise
experienced significant problems with statutory or regulatory
compliance that could lead to revocation of the school's charter (up to
10 points). (2018 NFP)
(b) Quality of the Project Design and Adequacy of Resources (up to
30 points).
In determining the quality of the project design and the adequacy
of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the
following factors:
(1) The quality of the logic model or other conceptual framework
underlying the proposed project, including how inputs are related to
outcomes (up to 15 points). (34 CFR 75.210)
(2) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the
proposed project and the costs are reasonable in relation to the
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project
(up to 15 points). (34 CFR 75.210)
(c) Quality of the Management Plan (up to 30 points).
In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The feasibility of the management plan to achieve project
objectives and goals on time and within budget, including clearly
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks (up to 15 points). (34 CFR 75.210)
(2) The ability of the applicant to sustain the operation of the
replicated or expanded charter schools after the grant has ended, as
demonstrated by the multi-year financial and operating model required
under section 4305(b)(3)(B)(iii) of the ESEA (up to 15 points). (2018
NFP)
In addressing the selection criteria and application requirements
in this notice, an applicant must clearly identify in its application
which criterion or requirement it is addressing. In addition, an
applicant must address corresponding application requirements when
addressing the specific selection criteria listed in the table below.
Table 2--Alignment of the Selection Criteria and Application
Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selection criterion Application requirement(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality of the Eligible Applicant (a)(1)... (b)(1), (b)(2), (d)(1),
(d)(2), and (h).
Quality of the Eligible Applicant (a)(2)... (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3).
Quality of the Eligible Applicant (a)(3)... (b)(3).
Quality of the Project Design and Adequacy (f).
of Resources (b)(1).
Quality of the Project Design and Adequacy (m).
of Resources (b)(2).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All other application requirements not listed in the table above
must be addressed elsewhere in the Project Narrative. This includes all
assurances and the following requirements: (a)(1), (a)(2), (c)(1),
(c)(2), (c)(3), (g), (i), (j), (k), (l), (n), (o), (p)(1), and (p)(2).
8. Performance Measures: The Department has developed the following
performance measures for the purposes of the Department reporting under
34 CFR 75.110:
(a) Program Performance Measures. (1) The performance measures for
this program are: (i) The number of charter schools in operation around
the Nation, and (ii) the percentage of fourth- and eighth-grade charter
school students who are achieving at or above the proficient level on
State assessments in mathematics and reading/language arts.
Additionally, the Secretary has established the following measure to
examine the efficiency of the CSP: The Federal cost per student in
implementing a successful school (defined as a school in operation for
three or more consecutive years).
(2) In accordance with 34 CFR 75.110(b), applications must
describe:
(i) The data collection and reporting methods the applicant would
use and why those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and
meaningful performance data.
(ii) The applicant's capacity to collect and report the quality of
the performance data, as evidenced by quality data collection,
analysis, and reporting in other projects or research.
(b) Project-Specific Performance Measures. Applicants must propose
project-specific performance measures and performance targets
consistent with the objectives of the proposed project. In accordance
with 34 CFR 75.110(c), applications must include the following:
(1) Project-specific performance measures. How each proposed
project-specific performance measure would: accurately measure the
performance of the project; be consistent with the program performance
measures established under paragraph (a) of this section; and be used
to inform continuous improvement of the project.
(2) Baseline data. (i) Why each proposed baseline is valid and
reliable, including an assessment of the quality data used to establish
the baseline; or (ii) if the applicant has determined that there are no
established baseline data for a particular performance measure, an
explanation of why there is no established baseline and of how and
when, during the project period, the applicant would establish a valid
baseline for the performance measure.
(3) Performance targets. Why each proposed performance target is
ambitious yet achievable compared to the baseline for the performance
measure and when, during the project period, the applicant would meet
the performance target(s).
All grantees must submit an annual performance report with
information that is responsive to these performance measures.
9. Program Authority and Applicable Regulations: Program Authority:
Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965,
as amended by the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7221-7221j).
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal
civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
[[Page 20644]]
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 76, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84,
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as
regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements
for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and
amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The
2018 NFP.
II. Supplemental Requirements
1. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program does not involve
supplement-not-supplant funding requirements.
c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an
unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please
see <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division">https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division</a>.
d. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
2. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its application.
3. Reasonable and Necessary Costs: The Secretary may elect to
impose maximum limits on the amount of grant funds that may be used to
replicate or expand a high-quality charter school (34 CFR 75.101(a)(2)
and 75.104(b)).
For this competition, the maximum limit of grant funds that may be
used to replicate or expand a single high-quality charter school is
$2,000,000.
In accordance with 2 CFR 200.404, applicants must ensure that all
costs included in the proposed budget are reasonable and necessary in
light of the goals and objectives of the proposed project. Any costs
determined by the Secretary to be unreasonable or unnecessary will be
removed from the final approved budget.
4. Audits: (i) A non-Federal entity that expends $1,000,000 or more
during the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards must have
a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in
accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR part 200. (2 CFR 200.501(a))
(ii) A non-Federal entity that expends less than $1,000,000 during
the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards is exempt from
Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR
200.503 (Relation to other audit requirements), but records must be
available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal
agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office. (2
CFR 200.501(d)).
5. Funding Restrictions: Grantees under this program must use the
grant funds to replicate or expand the charter school model or models
for which the applicant has presented evidence of success.
Specifically, grant funds must be used to carry out allowable
activities, as described in section 4305(b)(1) of the ESEA. In
addition, grant funds must be used to carry out one or more of the
activities described in section 4303(h), which include--
(a) Preparing teachers, school leaders, and specialized
instructional support personnel, including through paying costs
associated with--
(1) Providing professional development; and
(2) Hiring and compensating, during the eligible applicant's
planning period, one or more of the following:
(i) Teachers.
(ii) School leaders.
(iii) Specialized instructional support personnel;
(b) Acquiring supplies, training, equipment (including technology),
and educational materials (including developing and acquiring
instructional materials);
(c) Carrying out necessary renovations to ensure that a new school
building complies with applicable statutes and regulations, and minor
facilities repairs (excluding construction);
(d) Providing one-time, startup costs associated with providing
transportation to students to and from the charter school;
(e) Carrying out community engagement activities, which may include
paying the cost of student and staff recruitment; and
(f) Providing for other appropriate, non-sustained costs related to
the replication or expansion of high-quality charter schools when such
costs cannot be met from other sources.
Further, within the context of opening and preparing for the
operation of one or more replicated high-quality charter schools or
expanding one or more high-quality charter schools, a portion of grant
funds may be used for appropriate, non-sustained costs associated with
the expansion or improvement of the grantee's oversight or management
of its charter schools, provided that (i) the specific charter schools
being replicated or expanded under the grant are the intended
beneficiaries of such expansion or improvement; (ii) such expansion or
improvement is intended to improve the grantee's ability to manage or
oversee the charter schools being replicated or expanded under the
grant; and (iii) the costs cannot be met from other sources (20 U.S.C.
7221b(h) and 7221d(b)(1)). In order to use grant funds for this
purpose, an applicant must describe how the proposed costs are
necessary to meet the objectives of the project and reasonable in light
of the overall cost of the project (2 CFR 200.403).
Other CSP Grants: A charter school that previously received funds
for replication or expansion under this program, or that has been
awarded a subgrant or grant for opening and preparing for the operation
of a new or replicated high-quality charter school, or expanding a
high-quality charter school, under the CSP Grants to State Entities (SE
Grants) program (ALN 84.282A) or CSP Grants to Developers for the
Opening of New Charter Schools and for the Replication and Expansion of
High-Quality Charter Schools (Developer Grants) program (ALNs 84.282B
and 84.282E), may not receive funds under this program to carry out the
same activities (see 2 CFR 200.403). However, such a charter school may
be eligible to receive funds through a CSP CMO Grant awarded under this
competition to expand the charter school beyond the existing grade
levels or student count.
Likewise, a charter school that is included in an approved
application for funding under this competition is ineligible to receive
a subgrant or grant to carry out the same activities under the CSP SE
Grant program (ALN 84.282A) or CSP Developer Grant program (ALNs
84.282B and 84.282E), including opening and preparing for the operation
of a new charter school or replicated high-quality charter school or
expanding a high-quality charter school (2 CFR 200.403).
Award Basis: In determining whether to approve a grant award and
the amount of such award, the Department will consider, among other
things, the applicant's performance and use of funds under a previous
or existing award under any Department program (34 CFR
75.217(d)(3)(ii)) and any other financial resources available to the
applicant (34 CFR 75.233(b)). In assessing the applicant's performance
and use of funds under a previous or
[[Page 20645]]
existing award, the Secretary will consider, among other things, the
outcomes the applicant has achieved and the results of any Departmental
grant monitoring, including the applicant's progress in remedying any
deficiencies identified in such monitoring.
We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions
in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
III. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528), and available at <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-30488">https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-30488</a>, which contain requirements and
information on how to submit an application.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for this competition,
your application may include business information that you consider
proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11, we define ``business information'' and
describe the process we use in determining whether any of that
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as
amended).
Because we plan to make successful applications available to the
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business
information.
Consistent with Executive Order 12600 (Predisclosure Notification
Procedures for Confidential Commercial Information), please designate
in your application any information that you believe is exempt from
disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of
your application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the
page number or numbers on which we can find this information. For
additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this
competition.
IV. Application Review Information
1. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, completion of grant activities,
achievement of project objectives, and compliance with grant
conditions. The Secretary may also consider whether the applicant
failed to submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of
unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
2. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR
3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant
if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not
responsible.
3. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
Please note that, if the total value of your currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
V. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your GAN. We also may notify you
informally.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables.
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. See the standards in
2 CFR 170.105 to
[[Page 20646]]
determine whether you are covered by 2 CFR part 170.
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to <a href="http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html">www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html</a>.
(c) Under 34 CFR 75.254, the Secretary may provide a grantee with
additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In this
case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, whether
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the performance
targets in the grantee's approved application.
In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
6. Project Directors' Meeting: Applicants approved for funding
under this competition must attend a meeting for project directors
during each year of the project. The meeting may be held virtually or
in person at a location to be determined in the continental United
States. Applicants may include, if applicable, the cost of attending
these meetings in their proposed budgets as allowable administrative
costs.
7. Technical Assistance: Applicants approved for funding under this
competition will be required to participate in all general and certain
specified technical assistance offerings, to include but not limited
to, other on-site gatherings sponsored by the Department and its
contracted technical assistance providers and partners throughout the
life of the grant.
VI. Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print,
audiotape, compact disc, or other accessible format.
Hayley B. Sanon,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary,
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2025-08657 Filed 5-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 15, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.