Ready-To-Learn Television

To facilitate student academic achievement by developing educational programming and digital content, with accompanying educational support materials, for preschool and early elementary school children and their families.

To facilitate student academic achievement by developing educational programming and digital content, with accompanying educational support materials, for preschool and early elementary school children and their families.

To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, an entity shall be a public telecommunications entity that can demonstrate: 1. A capacity for the development and national distribution of educational and instructional television programming of high quality that is accessible by a large majority of disadvantaged preschool and elementary school children. 2. A capacity to contract with the producers of children's television programming for the purpose of developing educational television programming of high quality. 3. A capacity, consistent with the entity's mission and nonprofit nature, to negotiate such contracts in a manner that returns to the entity an appropriate share of any ancillary income from sales of any program-related products. 4. A capacity to localize programming and materials to meet specific State and local needs and to provide educational outreach at the local level.

Programming is to be made widely available, with support materials as appropriate, to young children (ages 2-8), their parents/caregivers, child care workers, and Head Start and Even Start providers.

The program makes awards to support the development and distribution of educational video programming and digital content, and related outreach materials. Administrative costs are limited by the authorizing statute. Entities receiving a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement from the Secretary may not use more than five percent of the amounts received for the normal and customary expenses of administering the grant. This limit applies to the total of indirect costs and direct administrative costs claimed by the grantee.

The project period is up to 60 months. Following an initial award of 12 months, four additional 1-year, non-competing continuation awards may be made, for a total term of 5 years. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds. Continuation awards are subject to the availability of funds and are conditional upon the grantee making substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; expending funds in a manner that is consistent with the approved application and budget; and making progress towards established performance targets. 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).

This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

The Department uses the selection criteria contained in the Education General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) to evaluate applications to this program. The specific criteria to be used for a particular grant competition are selected from among these in 34 CFR 75, Section 75.210, and announced in the application package or the application notice in the Federal Register.

Applications are reviewed and evaluated by outside experts and program staff, in accordance with the administrative regulations governing the Evaluation of Applications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements (34 CFR 75, Subpart D). If an applicant is successful, the Department of Education will notify the applicant's U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and will send the successful applicant a Grant Award Notification (GAN).

Approximately 90 days following the application deadline.

As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant program (see 34 CFR 75.253). Generally, for multiple-year awards, continuation awards after the first budget period are made if: sufficient funds have been appropriated; the recipient has either made substantial progress in meeting the goals of the project or obtained approval for changes in the project; the recipient has submitted all required reports; and continuation is in the best interest of the government.