Request for Competitive Letters of Interest for GEAR UP (GU) Technical Assistance Grants

August 10, 2018

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT: Request for Competitive Letters of Interest for GEAR UP (GU) Technical Assistance Grants
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is announcing a grant opportunity for professional development and data-driven performance management technical assistance.
TEA is actively seeking participation from regional Education Service Centers (ESCs), institutions of higher education (IHEs), and non-profits to support the Texas GEAR UP (GU) initiative, as established by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 2. Interested parties should review Attachment 1 for additional information on the grant requirements, complete the questions in Attachments 2 and 3, and submit responses to TEA by September 7th, 2018.

Background Information

In 2017, the US Department of Education awarded the TEA with the Texas GU Grant as part of a federal program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education. Through a separate LOI process, the TEA will award 6-10 local education agencies (LEA Grantees) with grants to launch college and career readiness strategies at select campuses. LEA Grantees are expected to start GU activities in the fall of 2018. The entities selected for this Technical Assistance LOI will support the 6 – 10 LEA Grantees referenced above.

Overview of Request

This request for Letters of Interest (LOIs) will result in the selection of ESC, IHE, or non-profit technical assistance grantees (TA Grantees) who will build instructional and performance management competencies at LEA Grantee sites. TEA will seek grantees to support GU campuses by awarding two types of technical assistance grants:

Professional Development TA Grant
This grant will be awarded to one applicant to train and support GU LEA grantees in the development of rigorous instructional methods and vertical instructional planning competencies. One applicant will be awarded up to $250,000 in the first year and $200,000 in the second year of the program.

Performance Management TA Grant

This grant will be awarded to one applicant to set up and train GU LEA Grantees on tools and processes to collect information and apply data-driven program management and reporting. One applicant will be awarded up to $350,000 in the first year and $200,000 in the second year of the program.

TA grants will be awarded for an initial two-year period, from grant award date through August, 2020. Grants may be renewed yearly for five additional years (until August, 2025) if fidelity of implementation metrics are satisfied.

Next Steps:

Applicant Questions	Questions regarding this Request for Letters of Interest should be emailed to specialprojects@tea.texas.gov with the subject line: GU TA Grant – LOI Questions. Questions submitted after this date may not be answered by TEA.	Wednesday, August 22nd
TEA Responses to Questions	TEA will post responses to submitted questions on the Beyond Grad website (here). The link is listed below this chart.	Friday, August 24th
Notice of Intent to Submit Due to TEA (optional)	Interested entities are requested (although not required) to submit a notice of intent to apply by sending an email to specialprojects@tea.texas.gov with the subject line: GU TA Grant – LOI Intent to Submit - (ex. GU TA Grant – LOI Intent to Submit – REGION 50 ESC).	Friday, August 31st
LOI Submission Due to TEA	Applicants must submit completed Letter of Interest response forms to specialprojects@tea.texas.gov with the subject line: GU TA Grant – LOI Submission - (ex. GU TA Grant – LOI Submission – REGION 50 ESC).	Friday, September 7th

Responses to Questions will be posted on the Beyond Grad website: https://tea.texas.gov/Academics/College,_Career,_and_Military_Prep/Beyond_Grad

Connecting high school students to college and career opportunities is a strategic priority at the TEA to ensure every child is prepared for success. We look forward to supporting school districts and open-enrollment charter schools through the launch of this program.

Thank you,

Alexis Bauserman
Director of Beyond Grad

Attachments related to the request for Letters of Interest:

Attachment 1: Request for Letters of Interest for GEAR UP Technical Assistance Grants
Attachment 2: Response Forms

2.A. Intent to Submit a Letter of Interest
2.B. Applicant Information Form
2.C. Professional Development TA Grant Application Responses
2.D: Performance Management TA Grant Application Responses

Attachment 3: Grant Activity and Budget Plans

3.A. Professional Development TA
3.B. Performance Management TA

Attachment 4: Overview of GEAR UP Grants
Attachment 5: Evaluation Rubrics

5.A. Professional Development TA Grant Application
5.B. Performance Management TA Grant Application