Section 235.55  Proposal Review Process and Additional Funding Priorities for Preschool Education Programs

In order to meet the funding priorities set forth in Section 2-3.71(a)(4.5) of the School Code, each proposal for a preschool education program shall be reviewed using both quantitative and qualitative criteria. 

a)         Proposals shall first be screened to identify those proposals that meet the criteria for each funding priority (see Section 235.30(b) of this Part).  Proposals shall be separated into the following three categories:

1)         proposals serving primarily at-risk children;

2)         proposals serving primarily children whose families meet income guidelines; and

3)         all other proposals.

b)         Within each of the three categories set forth in subsection (a) of this Section, the proposals shall be reviewed and scored using the qualitative criteria set forth in Section 235.50(a) of this Part to determine which proposals provide evidence of a "qualified program".  "Qualified programs" shall be those scoring at least 60 out of 100 total points. 

1)         All qualified programs within the category set forth in subsection (a)(1) of this Section shall be funded before funding any qualified programs in the categories set forth in subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this Section. 

2)         All qualified programs within the category set forth in subsection (a)(2) of this Section shall be funded before funding any qualified programs in the category set forth in subsection (a)(3) of this Section. 

3)         Within each category, priority for funding will be given to substantially similar proposals that either:

A)        serve children from a community with limited preschool education programs or an insufficient number of programs to meet the community's need; or

B)        have few resources promoting preschool education.

(Source:  Added at 35 Ill. Reg. 3742, effective February 17, 2011)