Charter Schools

Planning Grant Program

ESEA--No Child Left Behind Act
Title V-B - Public Charter Schools

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has been awarded federal charter school program funds under provisions of Public Law 107-110, Title V, Part B, Subpart 1, Public Charter Schools Program (PCSP), Elementary and Secondary Education Act of the United States Department of Education. This grant and the federal statutes that accompany it require strict and full adherence to the PCSP "single grant standard." This "single grant" provision means that if you receive a grant under this "planning phase" competition, you are eligible for up to an additional twenty-four months of continuation funding during the thirty-six months of total allowable funding. However, it also means that you must receive your charter and be prepared to open your school by the Fall of 2008 so that the single grant concept continues in effect. In other words, the thirty-six months of allowable funding means thirty-six consecutive months with no breaks or interruptions. If you accept a subgrant and then fail to receive a charter during the planning grant period, you will not be eligible for start-up or implementation funding at any time in the future. If you are unsure about the prospect of receiving a charter and opening your school in the Fall of 2008, you may be better served to continue pre-planning at your own expense and then apply for a PCSP grant at a later date.

Eligibility requirements are:
Applications must include evidence of support of the potential chartering authority by signature of an official of the authority on the (PI-9600-P) grant application. Multiple subgrant applications may be submitted by an applicant/authority.

Applicants must assure DPI that the planning project proposed in the application is directed toward the establishment of a non-sectarian charter school which will meet Wisconsin’s charter school staff certification laws and administrative rules. Acceptance of a grant does not bind or commit the authority to award a charter.

Priority in Funding:
If funds requested exceed the funds available, the readers will use need as a major criteria. We will implement a priority in funding for programs which address one of the following educational priorities:

• Serves children at risk as described in s.118.153(1)(a), Wis. Stats.
• Supports the development of a charter school in a geographic area where one or more schools are identified for improvement, that requires corrective action, or restructuring under Title I, Part A of the ESEA.
• Closes the achievement gap
• Places an emphasis on building reading skills
• Promotes early learning opportunities
• Promotes educator quality
• Promotes career or technology education
• Encourages parent and community involvement
• Provides effective pupil services, special education, and prevention programs to support learning.

Amount of funds available:
Planning phase proposals may not exceed $10,000 per project. The chartering authority must serve as the fiscal agent for the grant. A planning grant recipient may be considered for up to $40,000 in additional supplemental planning grant funds after successful receipt of an official award notice. However, to be considered for additional funds, a subgrantee will be required to provide to DPI:

1. A letter of support from the potential authorizer.
2. Identification and address of the facility that will house the proposed charter school.
3. A listing of the teachers/staff of the proposed charter school.
4. A tentative start date for when the school will be open and serving children.
5. A revised PI-9600-B and explanation of how the additional funds will be used.

Application due date:
Planning phase applications must arrive on or before June 2, 2008 for Round 1, and on or before October 1, 2008 for Round 2 or be delivered to the 5th floor reception desk at the Department of Public Instruction by 4:30 p.m. on June 1, 2007 for Round 1 or October 1, 2007 for Round 2, to receive funding consideration. The original application plus seven copies must be submitted to the department.

Application materials: (Word)
2007-08 Planning Application Guidelines

Contact: For technical assistance contact:
Margaret McMurray, Charter Schools Consultant (CESAs 1, 7, 8, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Parkside, and the City of Milwaukee), 1-888-245-2732, ext.5 (toll-free) or 608-266-5728, Barry Golden, Charter Schools Consultant (CESAs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 12) 608-267-9111.

For a hard copy of Wisconsin Charter Schools 2007-2008, contact Julie Blaney at 608-266-5880.

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For questions about this information, contact Jackie Abel (608)266-2819

Last updated on 8/6/2008 9:16:56 AM