To download the Request for Proposals form, (a Word document), click here
2004 Adult Literacy Transition Funding Grant Program September 2004 Questions and answers about the RFP:
1. Will GED Spanish instruction allowed?
Yes
2. Will the RFP allow performance-based funding?
Yes
3. What are some acceptable assessment tools for student outcomes?
Existing assessment measures as well as alternative assessments will be allowed. Federal DOE is moving towards a consistent standardized tool; RI isn't there yet. For those interested in alternative assessments, a good resource is Adventures in Assessment found at http://www.sabes.org/resources/adventures/index.htm; additionally, Literacy Resources/RI has a list of assessment-related resources online here
4. If funded through this round, will an agency be eligible for adult education funding next year?
Yes.
5. How does professional development/building capacity fit in the grant program; can we submit for a class for teachers?
Along with capacity-building activity, some direct service must be provided to students in order to be eligible.
6.Is there a minimum/maximum number of service hours that must be offered?
The RFP does not specify min/max number of instructional hours. It has been estimated that 100-150 hours are needed to demonstrate a gain of 1 grade equivalent. Intensity is important. Programs are encouraged to work toward 100 or more hours per year. This grant program covers 6-8 months so providers may want to pro-rate.
7. Could money be used for computer literacy classes?
As long as a literacy component is embedded into the curriculum.
8. Regarding the RFP timeline, can funding be applied to existing programs?
Yes, it is acceptable to increase the capacity of a program by adding additional hours or learners if there is a clear need.
9. Best Test: recommends 50 hours of instruction before re-test. Can another in-house assessment be used if no gains are evident because the grant period covers less than 50 hrs?
Yes.
10. Do organizations need to set up a formal collaboration with another agency or can they strengthen collaborations already in place?
Yes, existing collaborations may be strengthened but rationale must be provided. What do your students gain from the collaboration?
11. The Adult Literacy Task Force discussed improving staff positions/salaries; is this considered part of program improvement? Is increasing staff hours for professional development opportunities acceptable?
Yes, this is encouraged.
12. An agency has a program for parenting teens, but funding will be cut off in March. Could the program continue working with this population through June and get an influx of new applicants?
Yes, it is acceptable to extend program hours as well as take on additional students.
13. Are faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. [As long as the program is secular.]
14. Page 5 of the RFP lists 2 participant outcomes (box on bottom of page). Is it a requirement to do both?
Agencies should try to do both, but 1 will be accepted.
15. Is the information on the forms included in the RFP part of the 10-page maximum proposal?
Yes, everything except cover page, budget sheet and budget narrative.
16. Is there any guidance on numbers of participants to be served? Or is it related to unit costs?
There is no cap on unit cost; applicants must provide a rationalization of their particular unit cost with respect to the services provided.
17. Would a public communications firm serving students be eligible to apply?
Yes.
18. What about health/adult literacy?
Yes, if health literacy is combined with English literacy. To be eligible, all programs must have an adult literacy component. [Note: Health and adult literacy programs approach adult literacy through the context of health topics, based on student needs and goals.]
19. If an agency had an existing program that currently had no funding source, could this grant be used to fund that program?
Yes.
20. The Task Force spent time with EFF standards and looking at standards-based reform. How do you integrate a GED if thatŐs all the student wants? The Task Force has looked at this and there is currently no mandate to use EFF. This will be determined with everyone as the process moves forward.
The archives of NIFL's EFF discussion list may provide information on how other teachers are doing this.
questions and answers added 9/17/04
Can you provide a narrative for program objectives and student outcomes as well as filling in the forms?
yes, as long as you stay within the 10 page limit.
Are GED prep programs elligable to apply?
yes
The RFP says no attachments. Does that include support letters?
yes