Section 235.120  Proposal Review and Approval for New or Expanding Programs

In order to meet the funding priorities set forth in Section 2-3.71(a)(4.5) of the School Code, each proposal 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 235.110(a) 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:

A)        serve children from a community with limited preschool programs or few resources promoting preschool education, or

B)        include a signed partnership agreement with the local Head Start program.

c)         The selection of proposals for funding may be based in part on the need to make programs available on a statewide basis and/or provide resources to school districts and communities with varying demographic characteristics. 

d)         The State Superintendent of Education shall determine the amount of individual grant awards.  The final award amounts shall be based upon:

1)         the total amount of funds available for the Preschool for All Children program; and

2)         the resources requested in the top-ranked proposals, as identified pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) of this Section.

(Source:  Added at 30 Ill. Reg. 19383, effective November 28, 2006)