Section 365.40  Application Procedure

a)         When State funding is available for this program, the State Superintendent of Education shall issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in order to solicit applications from eligible entities.  As used in this Part, a "proposal" or "application" means an academic improvement plan developed in accordance with Section 2-3.135(e) of the School Code, accompanied by the additional materials applicants will be required to submit in response to the RFP, as described in this Section.  For purposes of this Part an "academic improvement plan" means the plan of work for the specific project for which State funding is sought.

b)         The RFP shall describe the format that applicants will be required to follow and the information they will be required to submit, including at least a description of the project and its intended outcomes, identification of the specific schools to be served, their building infrastructure, including technological and electrical capacity, the number of students involved, the grades and classrooms chosen, and the rationale for these choices.

c)         The RFP shall indicate the amount or expected amount of the appropriation for the program and shall describe the integrated group of resources to be provided to each recipient, the other types of expenditures that will be defrayed with program funds, and the basis for allocating resources.  The RFP shall identify any restrictions or areas of high priority that have been established for a particular program year.

d)         The RFP shall identify the data that recipients will be required to collect and report regarding the activities conducted with program funds and the results of those activities, as well as the timelines for reporting.

e)         The RFP shall include such certifications and assurances as the State Superintendent may require.

f)          The RFP shall specify the deadline for submission of proposals, which shall provide potential applicants with at least 30 days to respond.

g)         Separate applications shall be required for renewal of grant funding.  Each application for renewal shall include at least a description of activities during the year just concluded, demonstrating that the project has been implemented in conformance with the approved grant agreement and that the recipient continues to exhibit need for assistance for this purpose.

h)         Incomplete proposals shall not be considered.