Magnet Schools Assistance

To provide grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish and operate magnet schools that are operated under court-ordered, agency-ordered, or federally approved voluntary desegregation plans. Magnet programs aim to eliminate, red

The Magnet Schools Assistance program provides Federal resources to assist eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) in the desegregation of schools by supporting the elimination, reduction, and prevention of minority-group isolation in elementary and secondary schools with substantial proportions of minority students. Grantees establish and operate magnet schools that are part of court-ordered, agency-ordered, or federally approved voluntary desegregation plans and offer special curricula or instructional programs capable of attracting students from different backgrounds. Projects under this program are intended to, among other things, assist LEAs in achieving systemic reforms and providing all students the opportunity to meet challenging State academic standards and strengthen students' knowledge and skills.

LEAs that are implementing court-ordered, agency-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plans that include magnet schools are eligible to apply.

LEAs and participating students will benefit.

Funds may be used, among other things, for planning and promotional activities directly related to the development, expansion, continuation, or enhancement of academic programs offered at magnet schools; for purchasing books, materials, equipment; and for paying or subsidizing the salaries of teachers and instructional staff in magnet schools. Funds may also be used for transportation of students to and from a magnet school assuming transportation is sustainable beyond the grant period and transportation costs do not represent a significant portion of the grant funds received by the eligible LEA. Funds may not be used on activities that are not directly related to improving student academic achievement. A grantee may use not more than 50 percent of funds in the first year of the grant, and not more than 15 percent in the second and third years, for planning.

The length of grants will be up to 60 months, subject to the availability of funds.

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Criteria are used to evaluate the applicant's project design, project services, personnel, budget and resources, evaluation plan, and commitment and capacity. Competitive priority is given to applicants that demonstrate the greatest need for assistance; carry out new, evidence-based magnet schools significantly revised magnet schools using evidence-based methods, or replicate and existing magnet school program with a demonstrated record of success; select students to attend magnet schools through methods such as lottery, rather than academic examination, and propose to increase racial integration by taking into account socioeconomic diversity. For funds appropriated for the program in excess of $75 million, competitive priority is given to those applicants that did not receive funds under the program in the previous fiscal year.

Recommendations for the approval of applications are made by the program staff on the basis of published criteria, statutory priorities, State comments received under the E.O. 12372 process, and with the advice and assistance of a panel of independent reviewers. In addition, no application may be approved unless the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights determines that all required assurances will be met.

The range is anticipated to be 90 to 120 days from the closing date.

The project period for a Magnet School award may not exceed 60 months. To receive continuation funding, grantees must demonstrate substantial progress toward meeting their goals and objectives. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.