Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- 5. Distribution of Funds for Core Programs
Describe the methods and factors the State will use in distributing funds under the core programs in accordance with the provisions authorizing such distributions.
- 5. Distribution of Funds for Core Programs
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 5. B. i. Describe how the eligible agency will award multi-year grants or contracts on a competitive basis to eligible providers in the State, including how eligible agencies will establish that eligible providers are organizations of demonstrated effectiveness
Current Narrative:
The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will conduct a new competition in early 2020 for qualified providers of adult education and literacy services under Section 203(5) to be funded for a four-year grant cycle beginning in 2020-2021. LEO will offer three separate applications: (1) General Instruction for funding under Section 231; (2) Institutional funding under Section 225; and (3) Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) funding under Section 243. All three applications were created to meet the application requirements stated in Section 232 of (AEFLA) and the Determining Applicant Eligibility When Conducting a State Competition for AEFLA FundsTechnical Assistance Guide, and the applications were sent to the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) for review prior to the release of the grant announcement.
LEO required all applicants to demonstrate past effectiveness by providing performance data on improvement of eligible individuals’ skill levels, particularly eligible individuals who have low levels of literacy, in the content domains of reading, writing, mathematics, and English language acquisition. Applicants were also required to provide data on outcomes for participants related to employment, attainment of secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and those that transitioned to post-secondary education or training. LEO defined past effectiveness as meeting at least 50 percent of the performance targets. The measurable skill gain target rate was 47 percent for program year 2018-2019, so programs that did not have 23.5 percent of participants make an educational gain will be deemed to have not demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education services. Data from prior years and trends in past data will be taken into consideration.
All applicants that meet the demonstrated effectiveness criteria will be considered for funding and sent to the respective local board to review for alignment with the local plan. The LEO-WD will provide written guidance and training to each local board via webinar, including a general overview of AEFLA, application requirements, and highlight specific questions that should be aligned with the goals and strategies identified in the local plan.
Applicants that receive an average score of 80 points out of a possible 100 will be approved for funding. Applicants that are denied funding will be given the opportunity to appeal that decision.
WD will allocate the AEFLA funds to eligible fiscal agents statewide that operate collaboratively or in a consortium to deliver services. WD will award on a competitive basis multi-year grants based on the number of adult education participants estimated to be served and the services to be provided. Successful applicants will receive an official award notification, which will include the approved funding amount. Funding is contingent upon the availability of funds from the U.S. Department of Education. WD reserves the right to conduct a subsequent competitive bid process in one or more regions of the state if needed to ensure access to adult education services across the state.