Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 160 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Chapter 160-1
Subject 160-1-4 - GRANT PROGRAMS
Rule 160-1-4-.297 - Title IV, Part A English Language Arts Summer Literacy Mini-Grant

1. Purpose of Grant. The purpose of the Summer Literacy mini-grant is to assist media specialists in rural schools and districts in creating, developing, and implementing summer learning initiatives that support literacy education and improve student outcomes in English Language Arts & Literacy. The grant is specifically for the implementation of new summer literacy opportunities or the expansion of existing literacy opportunities, during the summer, in rural Georgia.

2. Term and Conditions. Grants are awarded through a competitive process to eligible rural school districts. Eligible rural school districts must be those districts eligible to receive federal grant funds through the federal Rural and Low-Income School Program or the Small Rural Achievement Program at the time of the application. The grant awards are one-time funds for use from the end of the regular school year to the beginning of the next school year (summer break). Funds must be expended or encumbered prior to the grant's expiration date and cannot be transferred to another program or carried over to another fiscal year.

3. Eligible Recipient(s). Rural K-12 public school districts (identified by the current fiscal year's Rural and Low-Income Schools ("RLIS") report), as well as eligible non-public schools located within the geographic boundaries of these public school districts are eligible to apply for Summer Literacy mini-grants. There are two ways that applications can be submitted: (1) Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) may apply for a single grant award that must be disbursed to the school(s) specified on the application, or (2) individual schools within the LEA may apply for a single award where awarded funds will be directed only to the single school submitting the application.

4. Criteria for Award. The Summer Literacy applications are reviewed and scored by the Georgia Department of Education. Applications recommended for funding will be rank ordered by averaged scores. Provided that there is sufficient funding and approval by the State Board of Education, grant awards will be issued to the top 25 applicants who meet the minimum score as identified in the application. Summer Literacy mini-grant award projects must increase access to summer literacy learning opportunities, as well as serve as a foundation to excellence in the prevention of academic gaps during the summer months.

5. Directions and Deadlines for Applying. Application materials are made available on the Georgia Department of Education's website. For additional information, contact the Teaching and Learning Division, Georgia Department of Education, 1766 Twin Towers East, 205 Jesse Hill Drive, Atlanta, GA 30334 or email Anisha Donald, English Language Arts Program Specialist, at adonald@doe.k12.ga.us.