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Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

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Title V, Part B - Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP)

This program provides additional resources to assist rural districts in meeting state definitions for the New York State Accountability System.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Rural Education Achievement Program, or REAP, was established in ESEA/ESSA Title V, Part B, to provide additional resources to assist rural districts in meeting state definitions for the New York State Accountability System. Formula allocations are provided to approximately 180 districts in New York State each year that are identified as meeting eligibility requirements for one of the three REAP programs, if applicable.

These three REAP components are the Small, Rural School Achievement program (SRSA); the Rural, Low-Income Schools program (RLIS); and REAP Alternate Use Authority. SRSA is administered by the US Department of Education, and RLIS and REAP Alternate Use Authority are administered by the New York State Education Department. 

District eligibility for one of the three components of the program is determined by a number of variables including regional density, school population, census poverty data, and the amount of districts’ other NCLB Title allocations. Every year NYSED provides updated information to USDOE, which then calculates LEA eligibility for both program components using this and other data sources.

Consolidated Application for ESSA-Funded Programs - Title V - Rural Low Income Schools Program

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

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SMALL RURAL SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT (SRSA)

This program is administered by the USDE based on NYSED's data that is supplied annually,by December and/or January. SRSA is an on-line application process (only) that is housed on the USDE's G5 Empowering the Grant Community website. 

USDE has a toll-free G5 Hotline number for technical assistance with the SRSA application process: 1(888) 336-8930. 

Eligible districts/LEA's are not always the same, since the eligibility is based on data submitted by NYSED, NCES and USDE calculations. Eligible districts/LEA's are notified directly, by USDE once the eligible districts are determined.

SRSA-Eligible LEA's

How SRSA Eligibility is Determined

​To be eligible to participate in SRSA, the local educational agency (LEA) must meet the following criteria:

For purposes of eligibility, the average daily attendance figure includes the students in all of the public schools in an LEA. 

Applying for SRSA funds

  • The application process for SRSA is done electronically only through USDOE, via the ED G5 website. LEA's that are eligible and wish to access this funding must apply annually.
  • Toll-free ED Grants Hotline number for assistance with the SRSA application process: 1-888-336-8930

 

REAP ALTERNATE USE AUTHORITY

LEAs that are eligible for the Federally administered Small, Rural School Achievement Program (REAP-SRSA) are also allowed additional flexibility under the REAP Alternate Use Authority to meet district needs in meeting accountability standards. For 2018-19, REAP LEAs will be able to use their Title II-A and Title IV-A allocated funds under the REAP Alternate Use Authority for activities allowed under each of the following programs:

  • Title I-A -Improving Basic Programs
  • Title II-A- Preparing, Training and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals
  • Title III— Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students
  • Title IV-A— Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
  • Title IV-B– 21st Century Community Learning Centers

LEAs using the REAP Alternate Use Authority must notate that they are doing so on their FS-10 budget for Title II-A and also on their budget narrative.

For a list of LEAs eligible for REAP-SRSA and REAP Alternate Use Authority for 2023-24 (see Master Eligibility Spreadsheet)

RURAL LOW-INCOME SCHOOL PROGRAM (RLIS)

The RLIS are administered by the NYSED based on federal calculations from data supplied by the NYSED in March/April each year. The RLIS is administered by the NYSED (through the consolidated application process). 

RLIS Eligible LEAs:

  • LEAs Eligible for the RLIS Program
    To review the list of districts eligible for the Rural and Low-Income School program, open the Excel file, and filter for required criteria.

How RLIS Eligibility is Determined:

An LEA is eligible for the Rural and Low Income Schools Program if 20 percent or more of the children ages 5 through 17 years served by the LEA are from families with incomes below the poverty line and all of the schools in the LEA have been designated with a locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42 or 43. The poverty data and the local codes are provided by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Applying for RLIS Funds:

  • NYSED REAP grants are accessed through completion of the appropriate Title V sections of the Consolidated Application.

How RLIS Title V, Part B Allocations are Calculated:

Each LEA's allocation is based on that LEA's average daily attendance (from Department State Aid data) compared to the total average daily attendance for all LEAs in the State that are eligible for this program. 

New York State Title V, Part B RLIS Program Consolidated Application:

 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & RESOURCES

Resources: