2012-13 Grant Application/Reallocation

Below, please find a list of ABC slots available for reallocation through the competitive ABC grant process. Preference will be given to agencies that continue services for ABC children in the school districts listed below. Use of ABC grant funds is limited to the establishment and operation of a high-quality early childhood programs.

All grant applications must be received in the ABC office by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2012. An original copy of the certification/signature page must arrive in the ABC office by the deadline in order for your application to be considered complete.

If you have any questions, please email Paige Cox at paige.cox@arkansas.gov.

Overview

The Arkansas Better Chance program is funded through an appropriation in the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Public School Fund budget. ADE contracts with the DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education to administer the program. The Division is responsible for all operational duties associated with ABC. The State Board of Education is the final authority for approval of rules and grants. The Division gives regular reports and updates to the State Board of Education, as well as an annual report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Education.

Act 49

The 84th legislature in a Special Session on Education Reform passed Act 49 which includes priorities for funding for three and four year olds up to 200% of the FPL. Districts that have 75% of their children scoring below proficient in Literacy and Math on the State Benchmark exams and those children in schools that have been designated an school improvement status will be top priority. Any willing provider may apply for funding as long as they meet the State Quality Approval and ABC Standards. This includes a P-4 certified teacher as lead teacher and CDA certified aide among other things.

Act 49 provides the $40 million appropriation for early care and education. The money to fund education reform will come from the following bills: HB 1030 (a 7/8 percentage point increase in the sales tax, extending the sales tax to selected services, tax on vending machine operators) $82 million collected during the rest of the fiscal 2004 due to an emergency clause, $364 million during fiscal 2005 SB 80 (increase of corporate franchise tax) $6 million during fiscal 2005 $25 million - growth in property tax collection from increased assessments. *Source: Bureau of Legislative Research

Regulation Clarifications

Pre-K Alignment with Common Core

The AR Framework Benchmark Summary Table has been revised to better align with national Common Core Standards that were adopted by Arkansas in July, 2010. Extensive research has taken place to assure that these standards are appropriate for developmental stages of pre-k children as well as aligned properly with the Common Core Standards.

Resources